Five Tips to Dress for Success at a Connecticut Pardon Hearing

On another page on this website, I described some general tips on how to make a good impression on the Board of Pardons during your pardon hearing. One tip that I talked about was what you should wear for the pardon hearing. On this page, I want to go into more detail. Also, I want to help you feel confident in what you wear to the pardon hearing. You can view my top tips for this occasion on this page!
The first impression that you make on the Board of Pardons will be what you are wearing. Before you even say a word, the Board will judge you based on what you wear. Just because this hearing will take place virtually doesn’t mean that the Board won’t notice what you are wearing. Make sure that you make the right impression and you feel confident going into the pardon hearing. You can do this by following these tips.

When In Doubt, Go Formal

The pardon hearing is a formal occasion, and as such, you should wear formal clothing to it. You should wear the most formal clothing that you own to this hearing. For women, this generally means a full suit, a nice blouse and dress pants, or a conservative dress. For men, this means a full suit with a tie, khakis, a dress shirt, and tie, or a dress shirt and dress pants. Always make sure you are wearing dress shoes and dress socks as well!

Go Conservative

You don’t want to wear any revealing clothing to the pardon hearing. You should make sure that you are wearing clothes that fit well. Don’t wear something too baggy or too tight. Modest, conservative clothing will help portray a formal, serious outfit, which is perfect for this occasion.

Personal Grooming

If women want to wear makeup to the pardon hearing, they should make sure that it is subtle and in neutral tones. Men should make sure that they are clean-shaven or that they have neatly trimmed beards. Getting a haircut before the pardon hearing might also be a good idea if your hair is long and unruly. This will go along with the conservative look that you’re trying to cultivate.

Jewelry

Jewelry should not be flashy or over-the-top. A simple watch, wedding band, or stud earrings are appropriate, but make sure that you are not wearing big, clunky, gaudy jewelry.

Personal Affiliations

You should refrain from putting any personal affiliations on display, as this may bring out bias in the Board of Pardons. For example, class rings, sorority or fraternity pins, or clothing with a company logo on it should be left at home. In addition, if you have any tattoos, they should be hidden by clothing or concealed with makeup.

Making the right impression on the Board of Pardons at your pardon hearing will be an essential part of determining your character and suitability for a pardon. You should make sure that you are dressed in a way that will express your seriousness regarding the situation and help the Board of Pardons see that you deserve a pardon. For assistance preparing for your pardon hearing, you can contact me. I have been to hundreds of pardon hearings and know what to expect from them. In turn, I can help you understand what to expect, how to dress, and how to act.