What to Wear (AND NOT WEAR) to Court

Remember that this is usually your first and only time to impress the judge or jury. You want to dress appropriately! It is important to look neat, clean, and professional. I often tell clients to dress as though they were going to a job interview. It’s not required that you go out and buy a new outfit for court, but here are some helpful tips:Things to Wear:

• Appropriate Shoes
• Slacks or khaki pants
• Collared shirt - tucked in
• Tie
• Dress or pantsuit
• Skirt - not too short
• Nice sweater

Things NOT to Wear:

• Especially if they are old, ripped, or stained.
• Shorts or short skirts.
• Athletic Clothing. Sweatpants and a hoodie is good for working out, but not appropriate courtroom attire.
• Hats or sunglasses. Most courts will require you remove them prior to entering the courtroom anyway.
• Inappropriate shoes. Do not wear flip-flops, worn out sneakers, or stilettos. Also be mindful of the cost of the shoes. It may not be a good idea to wear $500 heels to court.
• Revealing clothing. You want to make sure everything that should be covered is covered. Do not wear crop tops, tank tops with spaghetti straps, sleeveless shirts, or low-cut tops.
• T-shirts with inappropriate pictures or slogans. Common sense says you probably should not wear a beer shirt to your DUII trial.
• Flashy jewelry.
• It should go without saying, but I have seen it before.

Other considerations:Some courts are very conservative and may not look kindly on tattoos or body-piercings. It’s a good idea to talk to your attorney first to decide if it is necessary to cover up your tattoos or remove your piercings before court. Same applies to non-natural hair colors. You can also contact Eggert Law Firm, and we can help you out with any questions you might have appropriate clothing attire.