An edit

What to Wear to Court

Conservative shirts, suits, trousers, and closed shoes for a courthouse appearance.

Deciding what to wear to court calls for plain, conservative clothes in dark colours like navy, grey and black, with closed shoes. Dress neatly and respectfully, with clean collars and tidy tailoring. Wool trousers, pressed cotton shirts and plain dark knits look orderly and keep attention on the case.

Rules differ from court to court, so check before you go. One federal court in Connecticut, for example, tells jurors that business casual is fine but that shorts, T shirts, blue jeans and sweatpants are not, and it allows no hats in the courtroom. UJOH, a Japanese label started by Mitsuru Nishizaki after years as a pattern maker, makes shirts and trousers. Undercover is the label Jun Takahashi started in the early nineties.

WDLT117 in Toronto brings tailored jackets, trousers and shirts, including Undercover's. Utopia and Due West in Toronto add shirts, knitwear and trousers; save the jeans and T shirts on this page for another day.

MM6 Maison Margiela Pinstripe Wool Wide-leg Trousers Black at WDLT117, Toronto
MM6 Maison Margiela
Pinstripe Wool Wide-leg Trousers Blk
$720
WDLT117
MM6 Maison Margiela Buttoned Patterned Straight Trousers Anthracite at WDLT117, Toronto
MM6 Maison Margiela
Buttoned Patterned Straight Trousers Anthracite
$615
WDLT117
Undercover Pocket button Shirt Navy at WDLT117, Toronto
Undercover
Pocket button Shirt Navy
$503
WDLT117
Nina Ricci Bomber Jacket Chocolate Brown at WDLT117, Toronto
Nina Ricci
Bomber Jacket Chocolate Brown
$1,664Last one
WDLT117
Chrome Hearts Black/Camo Cross Patch Chino Pants at Utopia, Toronto
Chrome Hearts
Black/Camo Cross Patch Chino Pants
$14,130
Utopia
Amiri M65 Baggy Cargo Flare Black Denim Jeans at Utopia, Toronto
Amiri
M65 Baggy Cargo Flare Black Denim Jeans
$353Pre-owned
Utopia
Litkovska Double Collar Poplin Shirt Blue at WDLT117, Toronto
Litkovska
Double Collar Poplin Shirt Blue
$720
WDLT117
Litkovska Shirt With Ribbed-Knit Sleeves Blue/Brown at WDLT117, Toronto
Litkovska
Shirt With Ribbed-Knit Sleeves Blue/Brown
$793
WDLT117
Undercover Shadow Curve Trousers Black at WDLT117, Toronto
Undercover
Shadow Curve Trousers Blk
$1,201Last one
WDLT117
Undercover Relaxed-fit Trousers Black at WDLT117, Toronto
Undercover
Relaxed-fit Trousers Blk
$1,693Last one
WDLT117
UJOH Sailor Collar Ribbon Shirt White at WDLT117, Toronto
UJOH
Sailor Collar Ribbon Shirt White
$576Last one
WDLT117
Patou Embroidered Cropped Shirt White at WDLT117, Toronto
Patou
Embroidered Cropped Shirt White
$362$774
WDLT117
Undercover Wool-blend Wide Leg Pants at WDLT117, Toronto
Undercover
Wool-blend Wide Leg Pants
$542$774Last one
WDLT117
Rick Owens Gray Tower Bolan Banana Trousers at Utopia, Toronto
Rick Owens
Gray Tower Bolan Banana Trousers
$459Pre-owned
Utopia
UJOH Shoulder Tied Blouse Black at WDLT117, Toronto
UJOH
Shoulder Tied Blouse Black
$289$480
WDLT117
UJOH Shoulder Tied Blouse Brown at WDLT117, Toronto
UJOH
Shoulder Tied Blouse Brown
$289$480
WDLT117
Rick Owens FW16 Mastodon Drawstring Cargo Pants Black at Utopia, Toronto
Rick Owens
FW16 Mastodon Drawstring Cargo Pants Black
$353Pre-owned
Utopia
Chrome Hearts Pony/Patent/Leather Cross Patch Sweatpants Black at Utopia, Toronto
Chrome Hearts
Pony/Patent/Leather Cross Patch Sweatpants Black
$4,239Lightly used
Utopia
Rhude Dakar Convoy Tee at Due West, Toronto
Rhude
Dakar Convoy Tee
$258Vintage
Due West
Acne Studios Patchwork Oversized Flannel Green at Utopia, Toronto
Acne Studios
Patchwork Oversized Flannel Green
$212Lightly used
Utopia
MM6 Maison Margiela Washed Denim Wide-leg Jeans at WDLT117, Toronto
MM6 Maison Margiela
Washed Denim Wide-leg Jeans
$648
WDLT117
Chrome Hearts Miami Exclusive Cemetery Vertical Logo Sweatpants Black at Utopia, Toronto
Chrome Hearts
Miami Exclusive Cemetery Vertical Logo Sweatpants Black
$1,413
Utopia
Song for the Mute Twisted Shirt Green at WDLT117, Toronto
Song for the Mute
Twisted Shirt Green
$275$491Last one
WDLT117
Song for the Mute SFTM x Birkenstock "The Gardener" Crochet Flower Tee Green at WDLT117, Toronto
Song for the Mute
SFTM x Birkenstock "The Gardener" Crochet Flower Tee Green
$214
WDLT117

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Common questions

What colours work best when dressing for court?
Dark navy, charcoal and black are safe choices because they look plain and formal. Leave bright colours and loud prints for another day.
How can you dress appropriately for court without a full suit?
Pair tailored trousers with a pressed collared shirt and a fine knit. Add closed leather shoes, and check your court's own rules before you go.
Which independent designers offer pieces suitable for court?
UJOH, a Japanese label started by a former pattern maker, makes shirts and trousers. Undercover brings jackets, trousers and shirts here.