Barrister Gowns, Wigs and Suit... help?

LazyFecker

Howdy folks....

Does anyone know of anywhere that sells the wig, gown,l shirts/collars and/or other required barrister apparel...; at an affordable price?

Moyville have an offer going, however its still pretty expensive and a number of people that i know who personally went to look at their stuff didnt rate their suits too favourably.

Does anyone know of any more affordable Irish, English, Chinese, Indian or other tailors/providers of barrister gear that is both good quality and a reliable source (ie dont just rob your money, and deliver on time).

Cheers

Tom Young

If you want my two cent, book a flight to London. You'll save on the prices.

Black three piece suits are easy to come by.

Wigs, tunics, collars, tabs and gowns .... UK. Ede and Ravenscroft or Stanley Lee.

Both have online portals.

ResearchWill

LazyFecker wrote: »

Howdy folks....

Does anyone know of anywhere that sells the wig, gown,l shirts/collars and/or other required barrister apparel...; at an affordable price?

Moyville have an offer going, however its still pretty expensive and a number of people that i know who personally went to look at their stuff didnt rate their suits too favourably.

Does anyone know of any more affordable Irish, English, Chinese, Indian or other tailors/providers of barrister gear that is both good quality and a reliable source (ie dont just rob your money, and deliver on time).

Cheers

I saw a leaflet in the library doing really good offers can remember it now but it was very good.

FreudianSlippers

ResearchWill wrote: »

I saw a leaflet in the library doing really good offers can remember it now but it was very good.

http://hiras.com/ ?

Delancey

I thought wigs were history ?

ResearchWill

Delancey wrote: »

I thought wigs were history ?

They are optional, in Dublin about one in ten use the wig, some circuits it's the other way around.

nuac

No solicitor will think less of any barrister just because (s)he doesnt wear a wig.

That said I know some barristers who have difficulty coming to a consultation in the courthouse unless they have their wig with themm even just to carry in their hand. Old habits die hard


I recall about 20 years ago, when all wore wigs, a party of US tourists arrived outside Westport courthouse. There were no consultation rooms there then, so negotiating and consultations were out in the sunshine. They thought they were on a film set.

LazyFecker

This is the deal that the Inns are bigging up

FreudianSlippers

LazyFecker wrote: »

This is the deal that the Inns are bigging up

That's not a bad deal if the gowns are good quality. IMO it's worth the extra cash to get it from Ede and Ravenscroft (Louis Copeland resell them at a large markup here).

Tom Young

Back to my suggestion: Ryanair to Stansted, train to Victoria, tube to Chancery Lane, book Ede and Ravenscroft.

You'll save on prices quoted and please don't buy a plastic wig

krd

LazyFecker wrote: »

Howdy folks....

Does anyone know of anywhere that sells the wig, gown,l shirts/collars and/or other required barrister apparel...; at an affordable price?

A fancy dress shop, perhaps..........Or maybe even theatrical supplies.

Brother Psychosis

Tom Young wrote: »

Back to my suggestion: Ryanair to Stansted, train to Victoria, tube to Chancery Lane, book Ede and Ravenscroft.

You'll save on prices quoted and please don't buy a plastic wig

louis copeland doesnt mark them up that much - when i looked into, the savings from buying in ede and ravenscroft were cancelled out by the price of the flights over!

Tom Young

Depends on your tunic rotation policy (read: hygiene).

Brother Psychosis

i was only talking about the wig and gown, the shirts and everything else may well be cheaper elsewhere.

Raisins

Tom Young wrote: »

Back to my suggestion: Ryanair to Stansted, train to Victoria, tube to Chancery Lane, book Ede and Ravenscroft.

You'll save on prices quoted and please don't buy a plastic wig

Can I ask why are the Ede and Ravenscroft worth the trip? What's special about the gowns?

Tom Young

Raisins wrote: »

Can I ask why are the Ede and Ravenscroft worth the trip? What's special about the gowns?

Main court dresser. Wide selection.

Raisins

Tom Young wrote: »

Main court dresser. Wide selection.

Thanks.

FreudianSlippers

Quality is another issue. This is an investment that you will have for your career and wear most days. Some of the cheaper gowns look just that and become damaged very easily. Most of the torn gowns that I see are the cheaper cotton ones.

Delancey

Do the gowns still have the special pocket where in days of old a client would put whatever they could afford by way of fees into ?

Raisins

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Quality is another issue. This is an investment that you will have for your career and wear most days. Some of the cheaper gowns look just that and become damaged very easily. Most of the torn gowns that I see are the cheaper cotton ones.

So are the polyester gowns better quality than the cotton ones? Usually it's the reverse. I saw a polyester Ede and Ravenscroft one on their website that I'm considering.

nuac

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Quality is another issue. This is an investment that you will have for your career and wear most days. Some of the cheaper gowns look just that and become damaged very easily. Most of the torn gowns that I see are the cheaper cotton ones.

I dont know about that. Many eminent barristers have had gowns that were in tatters

FreudianSlippers

nuac wrote: »

I dont know about that. Many eminent barristers have had gowns that were in tatters

From years of use... not at the end of first year :P

FreudianSlippers

Raisins wrote: »

So are the polyester gowns better quality than the cotton ones? Usually it's the reverse. I saw a polyester Ede and Ravenscroft one on their website that I'm considering.

polyester < cotton < wool.

Actually, just looking there and Stanley Ley have improved their website and their prices seem to be lower than when I was buying mine.
http://www.stanley-ley.co.uk/acatalog/Stanley_Ley_Barristers_Gowns_8.html

GeorgeOrwell

I note Stanley Ley sell barrister's waistcoats with long-sleeves. Are they worn in Ireland?

Tom Young

GeorgeOrwell wrote: »

I note Stanley Ley sell barrister's waistcoats with long-sleeves. Are they worn in Ireland?

"Yeah, but no" I'd not go there myself.

234

GeorgeOrwell wrote: »

I note Stanley Ley sell barrister's waistcoats with long-sleeves. Are they worn in Ireland?

When they are used in the UK it's by QCs who wear an "all-in-one" waistcoat rather than a long coat and normal waistcoat. They are affectionately known as "bum freezers".

GeorgeOrwell

QCs are known as Bum Freezers?

Well, you learn something new every day!

lawfilly

I think he just means the all-in-one waistcoat rather than the actual QCs! I assume thats because the waistcoat is shorter than a regular QC's suit-jacket which I believe is more like a morning coat.

NoQuarter

lawfilly wrote: »

I think he just means the all-in-one waistcoat rather than the actual QCs! I assume thats because the waistcoat is shorter than a regular QC's suit-jacket which I believe is more like a morning coat.

WHHOOOOOOOSSSHHHHHH.......

The_Minister

Does anyone know if any (physical) shop other than Louis Copeland carry gowns/robes?

I was told they were the same as the English shope, but they're charging €268 for a gown, and all the English online gowns are about £150+

Are the Copeland gowns of better quality or is it just a huge mark-up?

Tom Young

Lack of legal outfitters in Ireland.

Main one is Ede and Ravescroft in London. Copelands stock a good bit of their stuff, far as I know. Unless that's changed recently.

There is a price difference in buying abroad and it's even less if you go to the shops in Chancery Lane, London. That's what I did anyway.

Stanley Ley are good as well. Usually have bulk offers.

Tom

hullaballoo

Incidentally, there's a good-quality cotton gown available from Ede & Ravenscroft. It's quite expensive but worth it because it's practically impossible to tear. It's heavy, but because it's cotton, it isn't too warm in summer etc.


Definitely worth the investment imo.

GeorgeOrwell

Out of interest, how many gowns and so on, do you barristers own? Do you buy a few of them, or can one be worn for ever?

I know we've had this before, but I'd be interested in your thoughts on the wig, from a practical perspective? Are they itchy? Do they fit OK?

FreudianSlippers

I don't know anyone that has more than one tbh... I'm sure some more senior juniors have replaced theirs as times goes on. Buy well once and you will have it forever IMO.

As for the wig, I used to wear mine all the time. Fits great (they size your head) and I never found it uncomfortable. It gets hot when it is hot out... and the humidity as of late has forced me to retire it. I now almost never wear it to the Master's/County Registrar's Court but would wear it doing Motions in a Monday list, if going to trial and when working on circuit.

nuac

A barrister showing up at Co Reg court wearing a wig would be considered over-dressed by the people who matter - the solicitors.

Tom Young

nuac wrote: »

A barrister showing up at Co Reg court wearing a wig would be considered over-dressed by the people who matter - the solicitors.

Eh, if they mattered that much they'd not need Counsel before a County Registrar Sorry I couldn't resist.

A barrister can wear a wig in any court in which he or she appears, by right, not by invitation.

All that said, I'd not wear mine before a CoReg and the heat and wig head -1.

FreudianSlippers

I'd only wear it to the Dublin County Reg if I was wearing it for the day and I happened to be doing something in there. On circuit they seem to just do whatever they want in front of the County Registrar... I find it unsavoury

nuac

"unsavoury" - Co reg courts are some of the most efficient of the lot. I have seen barristers there in plain clothes.

Tom Young

nuac wrote: »

"unsavoury" - Co reg courts are some of the most efficient of the lot. I have seen barristers there in plain clothes.

I was just availing of a cheap shot. The rule is if no robing room, no robes. Though that only arises in two or three courts nationwide.

I agree. The Dublin County Registrar is a pleasure to deal with. Process clear, no messing, etc. A exemplary model of efficiency and administrative justice.

johnnyskeleton

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

I find it unsavoury

Oh those salty County Registrars.

valleyoftheunos

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

I'd only wear it to the Dublin County Reg if I was wearing it for the day and I happened to be doing something in there. On circuit they seem to just do whatever they want in front of the County Registrar... I find it unsavoury

Have been ithe Dublin Co Reg of a Monday once or twice and only a handful were wearing their wig and those who were looked like they were either coming from or going to some place else straight away.

Brother Psychosis

Tom Young wrote: »

The rule is if no robing room, no robes. Though that only arises in two or three courts nationwide.

that only really arises in district courts as i am not aware of any circuit court building that doesnt have a robing room. even so there are some rural courts that do have robing rooms where counsel dont robe for Co Reg lists

Tom Young

There are also professionals who think its in some way cool to go around in tunic shirts ... It's not cool, frowned upon in fact.

Slovenly presentation usually indicates slovenly work practices!

My particular pet peeve is un-collared shirts on public transport.

SuperInfinity

Is OP really a barrister or studying to be one? And what age is he?

I would expect a barrister to be a more serious and mature individual. I'm in no way against frank and lazy talk online (unless it's about something legally sensitive).

However looking for cheapo wigs/gowns with the alias of "lazy fecker" just seems to really lack the decorum and dignity associated with such a serious job.

Jesus.

johnnyskeleton

Tom Young wrote: »

There are also professionals who think its in some way cool to go around in tunic shirts ... It's not cool, frowned upon in fact.

are they not an essential part of the barrister garb?

Slovenly presentation usually indicates slovenly work practices!

Or perhaps a small victory of substance over style.

My particular pet peeve is un-collared shirts on public transport.

Not a fan of the housemartins then?

Tom Young

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

Tom Young wrote: »

There are also professionals who think its in some way cool to go around in tunic shirts ... It's not cool, frowned upon in fact.

are they not an essential part of the barrister garb?

Slovenly presentation usually indicates slovenly work practices!

Or perhaps a small victory of substance over style.

My particular pet peeve is un-collared shirts on public transport.

Not a fan of the housemartins then?

Caravan of Love

They all come avec day collars. Takes 30 seconds to stick on a collar, instead of looking sloppy or priest-like. I was taught to dress myself as an infant. I don't understand sartorial regression.

I take the point in substance over form but ... I believe that to be the exception rather than the rule.

LazyFecker

SuperInfinity wrote: »

Is OP really a barrister or studying to be one? And what age is he?

I would expect a barrister to be a more serious and mature individual. I'm in no way against frank and lazy talk online (unless it's about something legally sensitive).

However looking for cheapo wigs/gowns with the alias of "lazy fecker" just seems to really lack the decorum and dignity associated with such a serious job.

Jesus.

Friend,
im not sure if you are aware of the economic commitment involved in purchasing a gown and wig- but it is safe to say that enquiring whether there is a more affordable route of purchasing the same goods does not strike of "really a lack of the decorum and dignity".

Regarding my choice of id- just the same as your own choice of silly id name, it was supposed to be ridiculous and foolish. Relax and stop being so anal about minor issues.

Stay happy

SuperInfinity

ok, I reject all of that but I guess we'll agree to disagree.

sdevine89

Going to hijack this thread instead of starting a new one. Can you get measured/get a wig there and then in Chancery Lane or is there a wait? Also I see some mentioned of making an appointment or booking, is this necessary?

Tom Young

Walk in to Ede & Ravenscroft.

LarryLadles

Has anyone bought a stanley ley wig. I bought one and I now notice it is different in style in a number ways to the more traditional styles.

Am I unjustified in thinking it will stick out as different? Or does one find a mix different brands in practice?