Did her dress kill her case?

Ryder favoured softly flowing skirts — nothing tight or too fitted — and delicate details such as lace and embroidery. Her ensembles announced — loudly and repeatedly — her delicacy, fragility and innocence.

Over time such declarations can become off-putting and suspicious. The list of stolen items was filled with curiosities and revelations.

At $80 a pair, Donna Karan’s cashmere socks are overpriced. Selling a headband by celebrity hairstylist Frederic Fekkai for $140 is highway robbery. Even if Ryder preferred not to address the accusation that she happened to have a pair of scissors that had mysteriously wiggled its way into her bags, she should have been required to explain why anyone would bother with purple Calvin Klein socks or a $350 beret. There were four handbags on the list of stolen goods.Not surprising, given that at each court appearance Ryder carried a different handbag. (LATWP)