You’d think we were still living in the 60s. A judge’s reasoning for calling off a recent hearing certainly couldn’t stem from 90s mentality.

South Carolina Judge Joseph Wilson wouldn’t allow a female lawyer to enter a plea solely because she was wearing pants.

Although there is no rule for appropriate attire, judges may conduct their courtroom however they wish. This control apparently includes enforcing outdated dress codes.

Judge Wilson tried to rationalize his decision: “If a man were to come to court without a tie, I’d ask him to put on a tie.” Evidently, the judge doesn’t realize that pant suits have been acceptable women’s business wear for the past two decades.

Perhaps the judge should wear a skirt under his robe for a day to better understand why some women prefer to work in pants.

Lee Robinson, president of the Charleston County Bar Association, might have understated the absurdity of the judge’s decision when he said: “It’s kind of a silly issue.” Requiring a woman to wear a skirt rather than pants in 1995 isn’t just silly—it’s unbelievably ridiculous.