What To Wear To Court

• Sleeveless or muscle shirt.
• Exercise outfit.
• Anything sexy or too dressy – tight tops, short skirts, sequins, slinky tops, revealing tops. Don’t
  wear anything you’d wear out on a Saturday night!
• Sundress or strapless dress.
• Crop tops. Cover your belly button!
• Any top with spaghetti straps.
• T-shirts (especially ones with beer, drug or sexual references).
• Anything you’d wear to the zoo or to do yard work.
• Athletic attire, especially baseball caps.
• Jeans, unless they are the only long pants you own.
• Clothing that is too small or too large.
• Clothing that reveals your underwear.

Footwear:

• No Sneakers In Court
• Flip-flop sandals.
• Athletic shoes.
• High-heel spikes.
• Open-toed shoes.
• Anything you’d wear at the beach.
• Lots of jewelry, especially if it makes noise when you move.
• Sunglasses, unless medically prescribed.

Hair:

• Messy Hair
• Wet and messy.
• Dirty.
• Unnatural dye job.
• Hairnet and/or curlers.
• Weird or unusual haircut.

Hygiene:

• Look dirty or unshaven.
• Cologne and perfume. Use very little. Too much and everyone will wonder what you are trying to cover up!
• Smelling like cigarette smoke.
• Smelling like pot. That’s a totally different problem!
• Smelling of alcohol. Again that’s a totally different problem!
• Nails – extremely long nails on both men and women, neon or bright nail polish.

Tattoos & Piercings:

• Hide the tattoos.
• Remove the jewelry BEFORE entering the courtroom.
• Bare legs or shoulders showing.
• Hats.
• Shorts or cut-offs.

Conservative dress – something you would wear to church, work or a nice social function. (If you wear a uniform to work,
it is usually OK to wear it to court unless you wear shorts to work.)

Wear clothes that fit. If you have gained or lost a lot of weight, please buy something new for your courtroom
appearance.

Men:

• Wearing Tie
• Suit with tie.
• Sports coat.
• Long-sleeve button-down shirt with a collar and long pants.
• Wear a belt or suspenders to keep up your pants.

Women:

• A nice dress or woman’s business suit.
• A conservative pants suit.
• Conservative top and long slacks.

Jewelry:

• Less is more. Remove all piercings.
• If you claim you have no money, then wearing lots of jewelry is unwise.

Nails:

• Make sure nails are neat and clean.
• Wear neutral nail polish.

Shoes:

• Wear closed-toe shoes.
• Wear conservative shoes.

Hair:

• Schedule a haircut two weeks before the court appearance.
• Look neatly groomed. If your hair is long, tie it back. No hairnets, rollers or combs.

Hygiene:

• Brush your teeth and use mouthwash.
• Men, shave before court and trim your mustache/beard.
• Women, wear very conservative make-up.
• Use soap and water liberally before coming to court.
• Deodorant. You will be nervous, so be prepared.
• If you perspire a lot, bring a handkerchief or whatever to look cool and confident.