Eliza Barr: Denim cut-offs in court just the beginning

I’d like to say the denim underpants were the most shocking outfit I’ve seen in court, but sadly, I’d be lying, writes Eliza Barr. When did respect for our courts fall so low?

As long as your hat’s off your head and your sunnies are in your bag, almost anything else goes when it comes to courtroom couture in Sydney.

However, a convicted drink driver found out the hard way that Sydney magistrate Jayeann Carney draws the line at denim booty shorts after showing up to her court date with very little left to the imagination.

“It is completely inappropriate to wear cut off denim shorts up to your thighs in court,” Ms Carney told Barbara Diana Vasconcello Cardenas.

“I’m very tolerant to all types of attire but this is beach attire, what you’re wearing.”

Almost everyone knows first impressions count when you’ve fallen foul of the law.

Even Shannon Noll ditched his customary flannel shirt and covered up his Southern Cross chest tattoos with a dapper navy blue suit when he faced the music over a cocaine possession charge.

Shannon Noll looked dapper in his blue suit. Picture: Dean Lewins

No-one knows the power of presentation better than Sydney woman Margarita Tomovska, who was initially stunned by media attention when she was charged with leading police on a 200km/h pursuit before leaning right into her new-found infamy.

Tomovska adopted the moniker Mercedes Mum and began documenting her high fashion designer digs for court for 71,000 captive Instagram followers.

Barbara Diana Vasconcello Cardenas attends court in denim short shorts.

The magistrate slammed the outfit as “completely inappropriate”.

The Mercedes Mum left Australia lost for words after a recent appearance at Wollongong Local Court, decked out in a teeny-tiny skin-tight Balmain dress, sky-high Christian Louboutin stilettos and a Givenchy bag.

The finishing touch of crystal-studded Gucci sunglasses worth an eye-watering $1725 had punters wondering which Events Cinemas she might’ve have nicked her 3D glasses from.

It was eye-catching, but at least she put the effort in.

While the Wollongong registrar was waiting for Tomovska to arrive in her chauffeur-driven Mercedes, another woman stormed through a crowd of mullet-wearing men, wearing pink rubber thongs and — seriously — a neon green ruffled triangle bikini top.

However, Fairfield Local Court could give the Wollongong cohort a run for their bond money, where sneakers and trackpants are more common than suits and ties.

The top trend among young men before the courts in Sydney’s south west is court TNs — the fresh Nike joggers you keep especially for your date with the magistrate, paired thoughtfully with a Nauticacap and striped polo shirt.

Margarita Tomovska, or ‘Mercedes Mum’ appears at Wollongong Local Court charged with a 200km/h police pursuit. Picture: Eliza Barr

However, even putting your best foot forward often has little effect on magistrates more preoccupied with sentencing than skirt length.

Sutherland Local Court registrars deemed an elegant woman in a black silk skirt, polished stilettos and hair perfectly swept into a chic bun the most stylish woman they had seen in court.

Nevertheless, the magistrate was unmoved by the decorous defendant, and convicted her for bashing a Sydney taxi driver after a boozy night out because he wouldn’t change the radio station.

Another woman in a fantastic pair of suede, thigh high stiletto boots will be stalking back to court this March to fight allegations she bit a woman’s face in a drunken brawl at notorious Cronulla drinking hole Northies.

A juvenile defendant with long blonde hair flowing out beneath a beanie and bright white high top sneakers said it all with a copy of “The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F***” she was reading while she waited to see the magistrate.

In any case, whether you’re fighting a fine or defending a drink driving charge, the social media jury is back on defendants in denim shorts.

“No respect for our courts and judges, you’re not going shopping, you’re going to court,” Greg Morris commented.

“No respect for the judicial system — whether it be for driving or murder, dress appropriately,” Carol Hawkins added.

The verdict is in — cut it out, not off, please.

Eliza Barr is a News Corp journalist.

@ElizaJBarr