FAqS
Shirts & Collars
A collarless shirt worn with separate collars. Also referred to as a neckband shirt.
Our shirts are sized according to neck size. Choose the neck size you ordinarily buy. For the separate collar that is worn with a tunic shirt, choose half an inch larger than the shirt. This is because the separate collar has to go on the outside of the collar on the tunic shirt. For example, if you wear a 16 inch ordinary shirt, you wear a 16 inch tunic shirt but with a 16 1/2 inch separate collar.
There are two kinds of stud for fixing a collar to a shirt. The short stud is used at the back of the neckband and the long at the front. In both instances the smallest part of the stud is the part that protrudes outwards.
Starched collars need to be cleaned by a specialist so that they can be re-starched after washing. Fused collars are machine washable. Plastic collars wipe clean with a damp cloth whilst paper collars are disposed of after each wear.
An item of neckwear mainly worn in court, which comes in 2 versions either with ties or elastic fixings to attach around a wing collar. They are sometimes referred to as bibs or tabs.
Designed for women to wear in court as an alternative to a wing collar and bands, it comprises a high, round soft collar, either lace or plain with bands stitched to the collar. The extra fabric forming the front sits over the shoulders and chest and hides any article of clothing underneath.
This is similar to the collarette with bands attached to a high, soft collar, but without the extra fabric front. It is worn with a collarless blouse or tunic shirt (generally worn by ladies).
Gowns
Our gowns are sized by height. Please give your height in feet and inches or centimetres. If your chest is over 48" (122cm), please confirm this. If you require sizes outside the ranges available, please email us atinfo@edeandravenscroft.com.
We recommend that you purchase the lightweight princetta gown that is ideally suited to warmer climates.
The bag is frequently referred to as a fee bag. Whilst the anecdote is that the instructing solicitor would put the barrister's fees into the bag so that the barrister did not handle the money, the 'bag', along with the long thin piece of black material that hangs from the front of the robe, is in fact the remnant of what would have been a hood attached to the gown.
Wigs
Measure the circumference of your head horizontally approximately one inch above your eyebrows and ears. There is a diagram illustrating this measurement at the beginning of the Call Night Hire section of the website and via the 'Need Help' link on the Courtwear pages.
Our wigs come in one standard colour that we have developed over many years. Our wigs are made from natural horsehair and we use a combination of dark and light colours to produce a 'salt and pepper' shading.
Ensure that your wig is stored well when not in use. A wig case is a good way to protect your wig from damage. Hold your wig by the sides when putting it on and do not grab by the front fringe.
Wigs are handcrafted from 100% horsehair, which has been treated according to UK health regulations.
The traditional style of wig is the horsehair bar wig. The peaked front horsehair bar wig is a variation on the traditional style in that it has a slight peak at the centre of the forehead. The frizz top horsehair bar wig is a bespoke wig that has frizzed hair on the top of the wig rather than the traditional looped hair.
Bags
The blue bag is the traditional bag used by junior barristers for carrying their robes and wig around in. It is a blue cotton damask drawstring bag that usually has your initials embroidered on the bag (maximum 4 initials).
A red bag is ordered by a King's Counsel as a gift for a junior barrister. The initials of the junior are embroidered on the bag and there is a parchment inside for the KC to write a personal inscription on.
These are the rarest of the three types of bag and are for the exclusive use of members of the judiciary.
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Call Night Hire
Your hire outfit will be delivered to your Inn unless stated otherwise on the website.
Our staff will help to robe you at the Call Night Ceremony and ensure you are dressed correctly for your ceremony.
As early as possible. Please check the website or contact the call centre if you have any queries.
Our gowns are sized by height. Please give your height in feet and inches or centimetres. If your chest is over 48” (122 cm) also confirm this measurement.
Measure the circumference of your head horizontally approximately one inch above your eyebrows and ears. There is a diagram illustrating this measurement at the beginning of the Call Night Hire section of the website and via the 'Need Help' link on the Courtwear pages.
Yes; there is an option to buy items during the hire process or you can visit our Court Dress pages. Please note that hire orders will be delivered direct to your call night ceremony and purchased items will be delivered to your specified delivery address. A hire item will still be supplied at your ceremony in case the item you have decided to purchase is not available in time for your ceremony.
HIRE - OTHER
Yes; we offer a private hire service in the UK. Please contactlegal.privatehire@edeandravenscroft.comfor further information.
If you are hiring on behalf of a KC, please contactlegal.specialistenquiry@edeandravenscroft.com.