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, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake

Button-up Oversized S/L Shirt Inky Grey

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake Button-up Oversized S/L Shirt Yellow in Shine Yellow (No, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake

Button-up Oversized S/L Shirt Yellow

AMIRI Shotgun Jeans Deep Classic, front view, at Utopia on within

Shotgun Jeans Deep Classic

Amiri All Over Repair Jeans Clay Indigo, front view, at Utopia on within

All Over Repair Jeans Clay Indigo

Rick Owens SS25 Hollywood Plaid Gray Overshirt, front view, at Utopia on within

SS25 Hollywood Plaid Gray Overshirt

MM6 Maison Margiela Striped Poplin Shirt Blue, front view, at WDLT117 on within

MM6 Maison Margiela

Striped Poplin Shirt Blue

NZ$1,325Last one

Thom Browne Charcoal Compact Waffle 4-Bar Sweatpants at Utopia on within

Charcoal Compact Waffle 4-Bar Sweatpants

NZ$254Lightly used

Chrome Hearts Turbo Diesel Carpenter Jeans, back view, at Utopia on within

Turbo Diesel Carpenter Jeans

Dickies x UNDERCOVER Shirt Brown, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Dickies x UNDERCOVER Shirt Brown

NZ$544~~NZ$903~~

Undercover Cotton Graphic Oxford Shirt Brown, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Cotton Graphic Oxford Shirt Brown

NZ$648~~NZ$968~~Last one

Amiri Floral Velvet Slim Thrasher Jeans Indigo, front view, at Utopia on within

Floral Velvet Slim Thrasher Jeans Indigo

Amiri Baggy Trouser Jeans 70s Indigo Blue, front view, at Utopia on within

Baggy Trouser Jeans 70s Indigo Blue

Gallery Dept. Indigo 5001 Vintage Reworked Selvage Denim, front view, at Utopia on within

Indigo 5001 Vintage Reworked Selvage Denim

Gallery Dept. Indigo 5001 Denim Jeans, front view, at Utopia on within

Indigo 5001 Denim Jeans

Adidas x Wales Bonner WB Knit Polo in White, back view, at Due West on within

Adidas x Wales Bonner

WB Knit Polo - White

NZ$202~~NZ$381~~

Rhude Racing Crest Tee in White at Due West on within

Racing Crest Tee - White

NZ$304~~NZ$439~~Last one

Chrome Hearts Black/Camo Cross Patch Chino Pants, front view, at Utopia on within

Black/Camo Cross Patch Chino Pants

Chrome Hearts Leather Double Knee Carpenter Shorts Navy, front view, at Utopia on within

Leather Double Knee Carpenter Shorts Navy

Song for the Mute SFTM x Birkenstock "The collector" Classic Tee Navy, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Song for the Mute

SFTM x Birkenstock "The collector" Classic Tee Navy

Undercover Graphic T-Shirt Grey Brown, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Graphic T-Shirt Grey Brown

NZ$285~~NZ$409~~Last one

Chrome Hearts Pony/Patent/Leather Cross Patch Sweatpants Black at Utopia on within

Pony/Patent/Leather Cross Patch Sweatpants Black

NZ$7,629Lightly used

Thom Browne Grey Engineered 4-Bar Pants at Utopia on within

Grey Engineered 4-Bar Pants

NZ$381Pre-owned

Rhude Racing Crest Tee in Black at Due West on within

Racing Crest Tee - Black

NZ$304~~NZ$439~~Last one

Undercover Graphic T-Shirt White, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Graphic T-Shirt White

NZ$259~~NZ$383~~Last one

Looks in this edit

After dark, before midnight. Flat lay of a black Masnada jacket, black trousers, a black Issey Miyake turtleneck and black Guidi derbies.

After dark, before midnight

A first dinner. Flat lay of a charcoal MM6 cardigan, ivory Undercover trousers, black Guidi derbies and a silver Tom Wood ring.

Chrome Hearts, collar to loafer. Flat lay of a black Chrome Hearts jacket, black jeans, navy loafers, black glasses and a silver bracelet.

Chrome Hearts, collar to loafer

Outside the shows in Paris. Flat lay of a grey Denim Tears sweatshirt, grey track pants, blue Jordan sneakers and a grey Goyard pouch.

Outside the shows in Paris

All black with a silver buckle. Flat lay of a black Masnada jacket, black trousers, a black Issey Miyake sweater and black Balenciaga sneakers.

All black with a silver buckle

Brown graphics and khaki for Shimokitazawa. An adult man wears a brown graphic tee, khaki patchwork trousers and blue suede shoes on a Tokyo lane.

Brown graphics and khaki for Shimokitazawa

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.