Clothing Selection for Court – What to Wear in the Courtroom
There are often just two types of communication you will ever have with the district attorney and/or the judge – your clothes and your body language. Read these rules and follow them – your clothing selection for court is important.
RULES TO FOLLOW
- Dress like you are going to grandma’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. Don’t just comply with the court’s dress requirements. Dress in a manner consistent with the image that you want to portray to the court. Guys should wear khakis or dress pants with a button down shirt or polo. A coat and tie isn’t necessary but generally doesn’t hurt. Females should dress conservatively. T-shirts, even if technically permissible to the court, should never be worn. T-shirts with any type of message at all should absolutely not be worn and in some courts may not be allowed at all.
- Little or no jewelry. Men should not be wearing jewelry at all, with exception to a wedding ring if married. Women should limit themselves to no more than 2 ear rings (1 per ear) and a necklace. Flashy jewelry should never be worn.
- If possible, cover-up tattoos.
- Your hair should be neatly trimmed and recently cut. Short or long doesn’t matter, but make sure it is maintained and looks ‘clean cut’.
- Men should shave the morning of court, or trim their beard.
- The colors you wear are important. Generally, conservative colors such as grey are recommended. Solid colors are safest. Avoid very bright colors.
- If applicable, tuck your shirt in. Coming to court in the right clothes doesn’t help if the clothes aren’t worn properly.
424 Church St, Suite 2120A
Nashville, Tennessee 37219
Phone: (615) 829-8259