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, front view, at WDLT117 on within

MM6 Maison Margiela

Pinstripe Wool Wide-leg Trousers Black

MM6 Maison Margiela Buttoned Patterned Straight Trousers Anthracite in Grey, front view, at WDLT117 on within

MM6 Maison Margiela

Buttoned Patterned Straight Trousers Anthracite

Undercover Pocket button Shirt Navy, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Pocket button Shirt Navy

Nina Ricci Bomber Jacket Chocolate Brown at WDLT117 on within

Bomber Jacket Chocolate Brown

SEK 16,459Last one

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

Black/Camo Cross Patch Chino Pants

Amiri M65 Baggy Cargo Flare Black Denim Jeans, front view, at Utopia on within

M65 Baggy Cargo Flare Black Denim Jeans

SEK 3,521Pre-owned

Litkovska Double Collar Poplin Shirt Blue, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Double Collar Poplin Shirt Blue

Litkovska Shirt With Ribbed-Knit Sleeves Blue/Brown, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Shirt With Ribbed-Knit Sleeves Blue/Brown

Undercover Shadow Curve Trousers Black at WDLT117 on within

Shadow Curve Trousers Black

SEK 11,879Last one

Undercover Relaxed-fit Trousers Black, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Relaxed-fit Trousers Black

SEK 16,745Last one

Rick Owens FW16 Mastodon Drawstring Cargo Pants Black at Utopia on within

FW16 Mastodon Drawstring Cargo Pants Black

SEK 3,521Pre-owned

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

Pony/Patent/Leather Cross Patch Sweatpants Black

SEK 42,254Lightly used

UJOH Sailor Collar Ribbon Shirt White, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Sailor Collar Ribbon Shirt White

SEK 5,689Last one

Song for the Mute Twisted Shirt Green at WDLT117 on within

Song for the Mute

Twisted Shirt Green

SEK 2,713~~SEK 4,894~~Last one

Undercover Wool-blend Wide Leg Pants in Black at WDLT117 on within

Wool-blend Wide Leg Pants

SEK 5,360~~SEK 7,711~~Last one

Miami Exclusive Cemetery Vertical Logo Sweatpants Black

Acne Studios Patchwork Oversized Flannel Green, front view, at Utopia on within

Patchwork Oversized Flannel Green

SEK 2,113Lightly used

Patou Embroidered Cropped Shirt White, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Embroidered Cropped Shirt White

SEK 3,571~~SEK 7,711~~

MM6 Maison Margiela Washed Denim Wide-leg Jeans in Blue, front view, at WDLT117 on within

MM6 Maison Margiela

Washed Denim Wide-leg Jeans

SEK 6,405Last one

Chrome Hearts Fleur Knee Straight Leg Jeans, front view, at Utopia on within

Fleur Knee Straight Leg Jeans

Saint Mxxxxxx Saint Michael Obliterate T-Shirt Black, front view, at Utopia on within

Saint Michael Obliterate T-Shirt Black

Balenciaga Black Distressed Oversized Ebay T-Shirt, front view, at Utopia on within

Black Distressed Oversized Ebay T-Shirt

UJOH Shoulder Tied Blouse Black, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Shoulder Tied Blouse Black

SEK 2,856~~SEK 4,789~~

UJOH Shoulder Tied Blouse Brown at WDLT117 on within

Shoulder Tied Blouse Brown

SEK 2,856~~SEK 4,789~~

Looks in this edit

All black for a winter night. Flat lay of a black Undercover jacket, black trousers, a black UJOH blouse, black Guidi boots and a black bag.

All black for a winter night

Brown ties and mocha for nakameguro. A faceless display mannequin in a Tokyo showroom. Long shoulder ties fall from a brown UJOH blouse over mocha trousers and white Guidi shoes.

Brown ties and mocha for nakameguro

Pink layers and black trousers for the Annex. An Undercover pink layered tee and black relaxed trousers with white Guidi shoes.

Pink layers and black trousers for the Annex

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

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.