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.

Chrome Hearts Black/Camo Cross Patch Chino Pants at Utopia, Toronto
Chrome Hearts
Black/Camo Cross Patch Chino Pants
$14,130
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
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
Rick Owens Gray Tower Bolan Banana Trousers at Utopia, Toronto
Rick Owens
Gray Tower Bolan Banana Trousers
$459Pre-owned
Utopia
Rick Owens FW16 Mastodon Drawstring Cargo Pants Black at Utopia, Toronto
Rick Owens
FW16 Mastodon Drawstring Cargo Pants Black
$353Pre-owned
Utopia
Acne Studios Patchwork Oversized Flannel Green at Utopia, Toronto
Acne Studios
Patchwork Oversized Flannel Green
$212Lightly used
Utopia
Saint Mxxxxxx Saint Michael Obliterate T-Shirt Black at Utopia, Toronto
Saint Mxxxxxx
Saint Michael Obliterate T-Shirt Black
$353
Utopia
Avavav Velvet Track Pants Dk Blue at WDLT117, Toronto
Avavav
Velvet Track Pants Dk Blue
$243
WDLT117
Denim Tears x Levi's Cotton Wreath Jean Black at Utopia, Toronto
Denim Tears
x Levi's Cotton Wreath Jean Black
$212Pre-owned
Utopia
Song for the Mute SFTM x Birkenstock "The Rebel" Distressed Tee Black at WDLT117, Toronto
Song for the Mute
SFTM x Birkenstock "The Rebel" Distressed Tee Blk
$214
WDLT117
Balenciaga Black Distressed Oversized Ebay T-Shirt at Utopia, Toronto
Balenciaga
Black Distressed Oversized Ebay T-Shirt
$318
Utopia
Chrome Hearts Miami Exclusive Cemetery Vertical Logo Sweatpants Black at Utopia, Toronto
Chrome Hearts
Miami Exclusive Cemetery Vertical Logo Sweatpants Black
$1,413
Utopia
Chrome Hearts Fleur Knee Straight Leg Jeans at Utopia, Toronto
Chrome Hearts
Fleur Knee Straight Leg Jeans
$5,652
Utopia
Balenciaga Skater Graffiti Logo L/S T-Shirt Black at Utopia, Toronto
Balenciaga
Skater Graffiti Logo L/S T-Shirt Black
$707
Utopia
Undercover Graphic Print Pullover Black at WDLT117, Toronto
Undercover
Graphic Print Pullover Blk
$217$374
WDLT117
Kapital 14oz Slim Fit Denim Jeans Dark Wash at Utopia, Toronto
Kapital
14oz Slim Fit Denim Jeans Dark Wash
$283
Utopia
Kapital 14oz Slim Fit Denim Jeans Light Wash at Utopia, Toronto
Kapital
14oz Slim Fit Denim Jeans Light Wash
$283
Utopia
Rhude Split Petrol Logo L/S Tee - White at Due West, Toronto
Rhude
Split Petrol Logo L/S Tee - White
$237$343
Due West
Rhude Moonlight Pack Tee - Black at Due West, Toronto
Rhude
Moonlight Pack Tee - Black
$169$244Last one
Due West
Aime Leon Dore x New Balance Sweatpants Sand at Utopia, Toronto
Aime Leon Dore
x New Balance Sweatpants Sand
$141
Utopia
Aime Leon Dore x New Balance Chenille Sweatpants Grey at Utopia, Toronto
Aime Leon Dore
x New Balance Chenille Sweatpants Grey
$141
Utopia
Rhude Regatta Club Tee - White at Due West, Toronto
Rhude
Regatta Club Tee - White
$180$244
Due West
Saint Mxxxxxx Saint Michael True Queen T-Shirt Grey at Utopia, Toronto
Saint Mxxxxxx
Saint Michael True Queen T-Shirt Grey
$353
Utopia

Looks in this edit

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.