This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
![how to dress for the courtroom stock photo of a courtroom](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/how-to-dress-for-the-courtroom.jpg)
We’ve talked a lot about how to dress for the courtroom, the boardroom, and other Very Important appearances in the past — but we haven’t expressly done a whole post on it. So let’s discuss!
How to Dress For the Courtroom As a Lawyer
Remember, the guiding principal here should be that the jury and judge notice your ARGUMENTS, not your fashion sense — be comfortable enough to do your best argument for your client, and polished enough that it doesn’t reflect poorly on your client.
Accordingly, some of the basics work well here. Suits can be pantsuits, skirt suits, or dresses with matching blazers — note that if you’re in a very conservative locale, and it’s your first time there, you may want to go with the most conservative, timeless option: a skirt suit with pantyhose and comfortable heels. Some of our favorites include the mid-range suits and comfortable low heels below — also check out our roundup of stylish tops for under suits.
Some of our favorite mid-range suits for women (which sometimes have such frequent sales that they come down to the same range as our “budget” suits) include Ann Taylor, J.Crew, Talbots, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, and Antonio Melani. (Talbots and J.Crew usually have plus sizes, and the others offer petites.)
![Ann Taylor suit for women in Seasonless Stretch](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/seasonless-suit-for-women-ann-taylor-v.png)
![black pant interview suit for women](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/interview-suit-women-banana-republic-petite.png)
![J.Crew Suiting in Four-Season Stretch](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/best-jcrew-suit-for-interview-woman-four-season-stretch-v.png)
![Talbots Luxe Italian Knit Suiting](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/interview-suit-woman-talbots-luxe-italian.png)
![Mango interview suit for women](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/mango-interview-suit-women-v.png)
These are some of our favorite comfortable low heels for work as of 2024… also check out CK Calvin Klein, Trotters, Sam Edelman, and Sarah Flint!
![low block heel](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/vara.jpg)
![low heel with ankle strap](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Workwear-Hall-of-Fame-Fabulist-Heels.jpg)
![black pumps](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/comfortable-work-heels-kitten-mmlf-lillian.png)
![low kitten heel with strap across front](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/franco-sarto-low-heel.png)
How to Dress for Court as a Defendant or Party
Follow your lawyer’s advice here — they know the judge and situation far better than we can. You can never go wrong with a classic suit, though — some of the most affordable suiting options we recommend are these:
Some of our favorite budget-friendly interview suits for women include stores like Banana Republic Factory*†, J.Crew Factory*†, Mango*, and Express†, as well as widely available brands like Anne Klein Executive, Vince Camuto*, Calvin Klein*†, and Tahari ASL. For a vintage vibe, check Amazon seller Marycrafts*. (* = some plus sizes also, † = petites)
![Banana Republic Factory Sculpted Suiting interview suit for women](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/brf-interview-suit-woman.png)
![interview suit for women from Anne Klein Executive](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/klein-executive-interview-suit-v.png)
![interview suit for women from Vince Camuto](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/camuto-interview-suit-v.png)
![Calvin Klein interview suit for women](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ck-interview-suit-woman.png)
![budget-friendly interview suit for women from Express with Editor pants](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/express-editor-interview-suit-v.png)
Dresses are another great option — they’re a one-and-done look that can be really polished. Note that for court you should not wear a sleeveless dress or top until you know the situation — some more conservative and old-fashioned judges may take offense.
As of 2021, keep an eye on brands like Maggy London, T Tahari, Donna Morgan, and Eliza J for affordable, business appropriate dresses with sleeves…
Some of our favorite sheath dresses include these:
![collage of 5 stylish sheath dresses for work: 1) sleeveless V-neck, 2) crewneck with pleats and capsleeves, 3) sleeveless crewneck dress 4) crewneck dress with capsleeves 5) jewelneck sleeveless dress](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/best-sheath-dresses-2021.png)
Sweater jackets may be appropriate if a blazer feels too formal or “not you” — some of our favorites include these:
![the best sweater jackets for the office or working from home collage of 5 women wearing the best sweater jackets for the office in 2023-24](https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/best-sweater-jackets-for-the-office-2024-work-outfits.png)
How to Dress for the Courtroom as a Witness
If you’re a witness, there are very few rules — in general, whatever counts as business attire for you is fine for court. If you’re testifying on behalf of a party, check with the lawyers for your side; they can best advise you on the particular rules and guidelines for that particular judge and courtroom.
In GENERAL, broad strokes, you may want to think twice about wearing the following, just because they can be considered Very Casual and inappropriate for court:
- open-toed shoes like sandals
- sleeveless tops or dresses without a sweater or blazer on top
- denim (particularly any ripped denim)
- anything that makes noise, such as an armful of bracelets or loud shoes
- anything that shoes too much skin or unexpected skin — if you need a special bra for the outfit it probably isn’t appropriate
Stock photo via Deposit Photos / davidgn.