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.

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake Button-up Oversized S/L Shirt Inky Grey at WDLT117, Toronto
Homme Plisse Issey Miyake
Button-up Oversized S/L Shirt Inky Grey
$543
WDLT117
Homme Plisse Issey Miyake Button-up Oversized S/L Shirt Yellow at WDLT117, Toronto
Homme Plisse Issey Miyake
Button-up Oversized S/L Shirt Yellow
$543
WDLT117
AMIRI Shotgun Jeans Deep Classic at Utopia, Toronto
Amiri
Shotgun Jeans Deep Classic
$530
Utopia
Amiri All Over Repair Jeans Clay Indigo at Utopia, Toronto
Amiri
All Over Repair Jeans Clay Indigo
$424
Utopia
MM6 Maison Margiela Striped Poplin Shirt Blue at WDLT117, Toronto
MM6 Maison Margiela
Striped Poplin Shirt Blue
$738Last one
WDLT117
Dickies x UNDERCOVER Shirt Brown at WDLT117, Toronto
Undercover
Dickies x UNDERCOVER Shirt Brown
$304$491
WDLT117
Thom Browne Charcoal Compact Waffle 4-Bar Sweatpants at Utopia, Toronto
Thom Browne
Charcoal Compact Waffle 4-Bar Sweatpants
$141Lightly used
Utopia
Amiri Floral Velvet Slim Thrasher Jeans Indigo at Utopia, Toronto
Amiri
Floral Velvet Slim Thrasher Jeans Indigo
$565
Utopia
Rick Owens SS25 Hollywood Plaid Gray Overshirt at Utopia, Toronto
Rick Owens
SS25 Hollywood Plaid Gray Overshirt
$636
Utopia
Adidas x Wales Bonner WB Knit Polo - White at Due West, Toronto
Adidas x Wales Bonner
WB Knit Polo - White
$112$212
Due West
Chrome Hearts Turbo Diesel Carpenter Jeans at Utopia, Toronto
Chrome Hearts
Turbo Diesel Carpenter Jeans
$5,652
Utopia
Amiri Baggy Trouser Jeans 70s Indigo Blue at Utopia, Toronto
Amiri
Baggy Trouser Jeans 70s Indigo Blue
$424
Utopia
Undercover Cotton Graphic Oxford Shirt Brown at WDLT117, Toronto
Undercover
Cotton Graphic Oxford Shirt Brown
$362$526Last one
WDLT117
Rhude Racing Crest Tee - White at Due West, Toronto
Rhude
Racing Crest Tee - White
$169$244Last one
Due West
Marine Serre Moon Laser Grey Wash Straight Jeans M at WDLT117, Toronto
Marine Serre
Moon Laser Grey Wash Straight Jeans M
$691
WDLT117
Ksubi Maxx Astral Kraft Jeans - Denim at Due West, Toronto
Ksubi
Maxx Astral Kraft Jeans - Denim
$297
Due West
DIESEL D-Macro Jeans - Denim at Due West, Toronto
DIESEL
D-Macro Jeans - Denim
$247
Due West
DIESEL D-Macro Jeans - Blue at Due West, Toronto
DIESEL
D-Macro Jeans - Blue
$247
Due West
Chrome Hearts Vertical Logo Hoodie Black Olive at Utopia, Toronto
Chrome Hearts
Vertical Logo Hoodie Black Olive
$1,413
Utopia
Undercover Graphic T-Shirt Grey Brown at WDLT117, Toronto
Undercover
Graphic T-Shirt Grey Brown
$159$223Last one
WDLT117
Marine Serre Moon Laser Denim Curved Jeans (M) at WDLT117, Toronto
Marine Serre
Moon Laser Denim Curved Jeans (M)
$289$477Last one
WDLT117
Marine Serre Denim Loose Jeans With Pleats L.Blue at WDLT117, Toronto
Marine Serre
Denim Loose Jeans With Pleats L.Blue
$528$760Last one
WDLT117
Rhude Racing Crest Tee - Black at Due West, Toronto
Rhude
Racing Crest Tee - Black
$169$244Last one
Due West
Chrome Hearts X NOCTA T-Shirt at Utopia, Toronto
Chrome Hearts
X NOCTA T-Shirt
$2,120
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.