“Justice with an attitude;” in the televised courtroom and chambers of Judge Judith Sheindlin, that’s exactly the kind of justice you can expect, and that’s the justice you are going to get. While it’s true that Judge Judy tries small-claims cases as an arbitrator, her fast and sassy way of dispensing with justice is something often imitated, but never duplicated. Whether it’s something as common as trespassing, or a serious paternity suit, Judge Judy is no pushover.

Judge Judy has become such an important TV icon, especially with the way she dresses. Yet it’s not just the robes and the hairstyle that makes Judge Judy who she is. With a serious attitude adjustment and a penchant for witty remarks, you can turn yourself into Judge Judy Sheindlin in a snap. Whether it’s Halloween or a costume theme party, a Judge Judy costume can turn you into a symbol of justice the American way.

Who Is Judge Judy?

Judy Sheindlin is an American jurist who is active in the American legal system for 44 years. Appointed as a criminal court judge for the state of New York in the 1980s, Sheindlin heard over 20,000 cases and made a reputation for being a tough judge with a no-nonsense attitude towards dispensing justice and making the law work for everyone.

In 1996, shortly after her retirement, Sheindlin was approached by Big Ticket Television to create a courtroom-themed TV series in the tradition of “The People’s Court.” On September 16, “Judge Judy” was born. Sheindlin then banked on her reputation as one of the most outspoken judges in the American family court system. In her widely-syndicated TV series, Judge Judy runs down the rowdiest and most ill-behaved of courtroom attendees with her trademark wit, sayings, and a crankiness that has become her trademark over the years.

Clothing

To get that trademark Judge Judy look, you need to start with clothes:

• Robe. On TV, Judge Judy wears the traditional judge’s black robe worn in any other courtroom. You can buy the robe from any specialty store, or you could have a tailor create a robe for you. In a pinch, you can make a judge’s robe out of a length of black cloth.
• Frills. One of the trademark features of Judge Judy’s garb are the frilly laces that line the robe’s collar. The tailor can add these frills for you, or you can make the frills out of the edges of an old lacy white curtain.

Makeup, Hairstyles and Eyewear

Now that you have the robe done, it’s time to take it up a notch and add accessories that really make you look like Judge Judy. Here are some ideas:

• Makeup. With face powder, foundation, eyebrow pencil, and a hint of lipstick, you can add a bit of age to your face and make yourself look all of Judy Sheindlin’s 66 wise years. (Learn how to apply makeup)
• Haircuts and hair color. Judge Judy’s copper-colored hair can be achieved with a bit of powdered or liquid hair dye. Make sure to leave some traces of black or your natural hair color to prevent your hair from looking like an unnatural wig.
• Wire-rimmed glasses. Sometimes Judge Sheindlin wears wire-rimmed glasses to refer to some cases, documents, and pieces of evidence. You can add a pair of wire-rimmed glasses to your outfit to give yourself an air of wisdom that Judge Judy possesses.

The Judge Judy Attitude

With the costume ready, it’s time for you to imitate and emulate Judge Judy. While your goal is not to be a Judith Sheindlin impersonator, it helps to adopt and imitate a bit of the crankiness and wittiness that Judge Judy is known for. Here are some tips to help you get started with getting that Judge Judy attitude:

• Use witty phrases. Judge Judy has a penchant for “Judy-isms,” or sayings she invokes to drive home a point. Try inserting some classic Judge Judy one-liners into your conversations, like, “Baloney!” and that Judy Sheindlin classic, “Don’t pee on my leg, and tell me it’s raining!”
• Be the aggressive intellectual. There’s an old saying that goes, “Silent water runs deep,” but this doesn’t hold true for Judy Sheindlin. If someone tries to pass off an idiotic or illogical statement, cut them off as soon as you can. It will be annoying, but it’s very Judge Judy.
• Be just, but fair. Remember that you’re playing the role of one of the most respected and controversial judges of the American legal system. While you’re free to bully people in your imagined courtroom, you should also act with respect and faith to the laws of the United States of America.

Making a Judge Judy costume - and acting the role of Judge Judy - may be just the solution to your Halloween funk. Justice is always swift, and perhaps even cranky, in the chambers of Judy Sheindlin. With these tips to help you play the role of America’s favorite TV judge, swift justice is just an impression away. If you enjoy reading this article, might as well learn how to address a Judge.

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