Lindsay Lohan Trades in Mini Dress for $8,000

Lindsay Lohan Trades in Mini Dress for $8,000 Chanel Ensemble for Wednesday Court Appearance.

After causing an internet implosion -- and inadvertently spurring a fashion craze -- with her choice in attire for her February 9 court appearance, Lohan toned it down, marginally, for her hearing this morning.

Lohan arrived for her court date in a low-cut black top and high-waisted white pants -- both Chanel -- which gave her the appearance of a Las Vegas hostess from the waist up and a Real Housewife of Beverly Hills from the waist down. And that look came with a high price tag, as Radar Online estimates the ensemble costs in the range of $8,000-$11,560.

TMZ reports that she "ultimately picked the [outfit] she thought was the most reserved," which certainly leads one to wonder what the other options looked like. Lohan watchers on the internet had mixed feelings.

Lawyer-to-the-stars L. Londell McMillan told EW's PopWatch blog Lohan's look was "an improvement" on her previous, more controversial one and " showed that there was respect for the court of law." The Daily Show co-creator Lizz Winstead quipped on Twitter, "After seeing Lindsay Lohan today, I realize I don't have an outfit that seemlessly transitions from court to night." And The View's Joy Behar tweeted, "Lindsay dressed more conservatively in court 2day. Chanel pants, top & YSL shoes. Not sure what store she borrowed her necklace from," alluding to the reason the actress was being endlessly discussed in the first place.

The form-fitting white $575 Kimberly Ovitz dress which Lohan wore two weeks ago was widely derided as inappropriate for the courtoom (it also sold out immediately online). Lohan addressed the "controversy" on twitter where she said "what i wear to court shouldnt be front page news. it's just absurd."

Superior Court judge Keith Schwartz told Lohan that if she accepts the plea deal offered up by the prosecution in the jewelry theft case, she will be going to jail for at least some period of time.

"This case does involve jail time. Period," Schwartz told her. "If you plead in front of me -- if this case resolves in front of me -- you are going to jail. Period. It may be an issue as to amount of time."

Schwartz added, "There are things you need to understand. I've never met you, you've never met me outside of this court to my knowledge. I don't care that you're Lindsay Lohan."

Lohan has maintained she did not steal the $2,500 necklace from the Venice, California gift shop. She was told to return to court on March 10 at which point she can either accept the plea deal (and jail time) or move ahead with a trial. Of course the real question is what she will wear then.

Dave Lindahl