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
NT$23,659
WDLT117
MM6 Maison Margiela Buttoned Patterned Straight Trousers Anthracite in Grey, front view, at WDLT117 on within
MM6 Maison Margiela
Buttoned Patterned Straight Trousers Anthracite
NT$20,212
WDLT117
Undercover Pocket button Shirt Navy, front view, at WDLT117 on within
Undercover
Pocket button Shirt Navy
NT$16,526
WDLT117
Nina Ricci Bomber Jacket Chocolate Brown at WDLT117 on within
Nina Ricci
Bomber Jacket Chocolate Brown
NT$54,689Last one
WDLT117
Chrome Hearts Black/Camo Cross Patch Chino Pants, front view, at Utopia on within
Chrome Hearts
Black/Camo Cross Patch Chino Pants
NT$467,300
Utopia
Amiri M65 Baggy Cargo Flare Black Denim Jeans, front view, at Utopia on within
Amiri
M65 Baggy Cargo Flare Black Denim Jeans
NT$11,700Pre-owned
Utopia
Litkovska Double Collar Poplin Shirt Blue, front view, at WDLT117 on within
Litkovska
Double Collar Poplin Shirt Blue
NT$23,659
WDLT117
Litkovska Shirt With Ribbed-Knit Sleeves Blue/Brown, front view, at WDLT117 on within
Litkovska
Shirt With Ribbed-Knit Sleeves Blue/Brown
NT$26,037
WDLT117
Undercover Shadow Curve Trousers Black at WDLT117 on within
Undercover
Shadow Curve Trousers Black
NT$39,472Last one
WDLT117
Undercover Relaxed-fit Trousers Black, front view, at WDLT117 on within
Undercover
Relaxed-fit Trousers Black
NT$55,640Last one
WDLT117
Rick Owens FW16 Mastodon Drawstring Cargo Pants Black at Utopia on within
Rick Owens
FW16 Mastodon Drawstring Cargo Pants Black
NT$11,700Pre-owned
Utopia
Chrome Hearts Pony/Patent/Leather Cross Patch Sweatpants Black at Utopia on within
Chrome Hearts
Pony/Patent/Leather Cross Patch Sweatpants Black
NT$140,200Lightly used
Utopia
UJOH Sailor Collar Ribbon Shirt White, front view, at WDLT117 on within
UJOH
Sailor Collar Ribbon Shirt White
NT$18,904Last one
WDLT117
Song for the Mute Twisted Shirt Green at WDLT117 on within
Song for the Mute
Twisted Shirt Green
NT$9,012NT$16,526Last one
WDLT117
Undercover Wool-blend Wide Leg Pants in Black at WDLT117 on within
Undercover
Wool-blend Wide Leg Pants
NT$17,810NT$26,037Last one
WDLT117
Chrome Hearts Miami Exclusive Cemetery Vertical Logo Sweatpants Black, front view, at Utopia on within
Chrome Hearts
Miami Exclusive Cemetery Vertical Logo Sweatpants Black
NT$46,700
Utopia
Acne Studios Patchwork Oversized Flannel Green, front view, at Utopia on within
Acne Studios
Patchwork Oversized Flannel Green
NT$7,009Lightly used
Utopia
Patou Embroidered Cropped Shirt White, front view, at WDLT117 on within
Patou
Embroidered Cropped Shirt White
NT$11,866NT$26,037
WDLT117
MM6 Maison Margiela Washed Denim Wide-leg Jeans in Blue, front view, at WDLT117 on within
MM6 Maison Margiela
Washed Denim Wide-leg Jeans
NT$21,282Last one
WDLT117
Chrome Hearts Fleur Knee Straight Leg Jeans, front view, at Utopia on within
Chrome Hearts
Fleur Knee Straight Leg Jeans
NT$186,900
Utopia
Saint Mxxxxxx Saint Michael Obliterate T-Shirt Black, front view, at Utopia on within
Saint Mxxxxxx
Saint Michael Obliterate T-Shirt Black
NT$11,700
Utopia
Balenciaga Black Distressed Oversized Ebay T-Shirt, front view, at Utopia on within
Balenciaga
Black Distressed Oversized Ebay T-Shirt
NT$10,500
Utopia
UJOH Shoulder Tied Blouse Black, front view, at WDLT117 on within
UJOH
Shoulder Tied Blouse Black
NT$9,488NT$16,169
WDLT117
UJOH Shoulder Tied Blouse Brown at WDLT117 on within
UJOH
Shoulder Tied Blouse Brown
NT$9,488NT$16,169
WDLT117

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.