Tell it who you are in court and which court: the outfit part by part, what courts ban and how many of them ban it, and every point where they differ, in 29 official court pages’ own words.
Jury duty at a state or county court
Business casualSlacks or a skirt with a collared shirt or blouse, or a dress, and a sweater for a cold courtroom.
- Dress level
- Business casual
- Shoes
- Real shoes, never flip-flops or slippers
- Never wear
- Shorts, tank tops, hats
Top
A collared shirt, a blouse or a sweater
- “Slacks or a skirt paired with a collared shirt or blouse, or a dress.” — Maryland courts
- “Men should wear pants and a shirt with a collar.” — Webb County family court, Texas
- “Collared shirts, slacks, nice jeans (no holes or fraying in fabric), and other business casual attire is generally acceptable.” — Tarrant County court, Texas
Trousers, skirt or dress
Slacks, a skirt or a dress, not too tight or too short
- “Slacks or a skirt paired with a collared shirt or blouse, or a dress.” — Maryland courts
- “Women should wear a dress, skirt or pants that are not too tight, too short, or low cut.” — Webb County family court, Texas
On top
Bring a sweater or a jacket: courtrooms can be cold
- “The courthouse may be chilly – bring a sweater or jacket.” — Maryland courts
- “Courtrooms can be cold, so a sweater or jacket is recommended.” — Federal court, Central California
- “Our courtrooms are generally very cool and you may wish to bring a sweater or light jacket.” — Federal court, Southern Florida
- Also: Federal court, Northern Georgia, Federal court, Connecticut, Federal court, Western North Carolina
Shoes
Real shoes, never flip-flops or slippers
- “Although juror attire may be casual, wearing apparel such as tee-shirts, sleeveless tops, slippers, and shorts are prohibited.” — Virgin Islands Superior Court
- “Jurors should not wear shorts, mini-skirts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats (except for religious purposes).” — Federal court, Central California
- “No slippers or flip flops” — Ottawa Municipal Court, Kansas
- Also: Federal court, Southern California, Federal court, Northern Georgia, Artesia Municipal Court, New Mexico, Clear Lake Shores Municipal Court, Texas
Finishing
Hat and sunglasses off; a religious head covering is fine
- “Take your hat and sunglasses off when in the courtroom.” — Alaska courts
- “Hats (except when worn for religious reasons).” — Maryland courts
- “Hair Curlers, Hats or Head Coverings (except those worn for religious purposes)” — Kent County Courthouse, Delaware
- Also: Houston Municipal Courts, Federal court, Central California
Clean and neat, with no holes or tears
- “You do not need to buy new clothes or wear a suit but your clothes should be clean and without holes.” — Alaska courts
- “Clothing that is neat, clean, comfortable and not revealing.” — Maryland courts
- “There is no need to purchase new clothes to appear in court. However, everything you wear should be clean.” — Webb County family court, Texas
- Also: Jefferson City Municipal Court, Missouri
If you are dressed wrong
Dressed wrong, a juror can be sent home and called back another day
- “Dressing in clothing that is not acceptable or that causes disruption to court proceedings may result in an extension of your service term or another sanction.” — Maryland courts
- “Jurors who are not appropriately dressed will be sent home and ordered to appear for jury service on a future date.” — Federal court, Central California
Your court decides
Your court has the last word: read your summons or notice, and that court’s own dress code
- “The court reserves the right to exercise its judgment on the propriety of attire on a case-by-case basis and to make orders accordingly.” — Tarrant County court, Texas
- “If attire is borderline or questionable, final determination will be that of the Judges of the Kent County Courthouse.” — Kent County Courthouse, Delaware
- “Talk to your assigned advocate if you have any questions about what is appropriate for court.” — Clark County prosecutor, Nevada
- Also: Jefferson City Municipal Court, Missouri
What courts ban
Shorts (a few courts allow long ones) 25 of 29 pages
- “Abbreviated clothing (for example, shorts, cut-offs, muscle shirts, halter or tank tops, bare midriffs, exposed undergarments, etc. ).” — Maryland courts
- “No shorts, open-toed shoes, hats, or revealing clothing” — Maricopa County Superior Court, Arizona
- Also: Minnesota courts, Webb County family court, Texas, Tarrant County court, Texas, Kent County Courthouse, Delaware, Virgin Islands Superior Court, Tehama County prosecutor, California, Clark County prosecutor, Nevada, Federal court, Central California, Federal court, Southern California, Federal court, Northern Oklahoma, Federal court, Eastern Oklahoma, Federal court, Connecticut, Federal court, Southern Florida, Federal court, Northern Iowa, Federal court, Western North Carolina, U.S. Attorney, Eastern Wisconsin, Houston Municipal Courts, Jefferson City Municipal Court, Missouri, Blue Ridge Municipal Court, Georgia, Collierville Municipal Court, Tennessee, Clear Lake Shores Municipal Court, Texas, Artesia Municipal Court, New Mexico, Ottawa Municipal Court, Kansas
Tank tops, halters and muscle shirts 22 of 29 pages
- “Abbreviated clothing (for example, shorts, cut-offs, muscle shirts, halter or tank tops, bare midriffs, exposed undergarments, etc. ).” — Maryland courts
- “Try to avoid informal clothing like flip flops, t-shirts, or tank-tops.” — DC Superior Court
- Also: Tarrant County court, Texas, Kent County Courthouse, Delaware, Tehama County prosecutor, California, Clark County prosecutor, Nevada, Federal court, Central California, Federal court, Southern California, Federal court, Northern Oklahoma, Federal court, Eastern Oklahoma, Federal court, Connecticut, Federal court, Northern Georgia, Federal court, Northern Iowa, Federal court, Western North Carolina, Houston Municipal Courts, St. Louis Municipal Court, Jefferson City Municipal Court, Missouri, Blue Ridge Municipal Court, Georgia, Collierville Municipal Court, Tennessee, Clear Lake Shores Municipal Court, Texas, Artesia Municipal Court, New Mexico, Ottawa Municipal Court, Kansas
Hats and caps (a religious head covering is fine) 20 of 29 pages
- “Hats (except when worn for religious reasons).” — Maryland courts
- “No shorts, open-toed shoes, hats, or revealing clothing” — Maricopa County Superior Court, Arizona
- Also: Minnesota courts, Alaska courts, Webb County family court, Texas, Tarrant County court, Texas, Kent County Courthouse, Delaware, Federal court, Central California, Federal court, Southern California, Federal court, Northern Oklahoma, Federal court, Eastern Oklahoma, Federal court, Connecticut, U.S. Attorney, Eastern Wisconsin, Houston Municipal Courts, Jefferson City Municipal Court, Missouri, Blue Ridge Municipal Court, Georgia, Collierville Municipal Court, Tennessee, Clear Lake Shores Municipal Court, Texas, Artesia Municipal Court, New Mexico, Ottawa Municipal Court, Kansas
T-shirts, sweatpants and gym clothes 14 of 29 pages
- “T-shirts with logos, graphic T-shirts (T-shirts with words or pictures), or undershirts worn as the top layer of clothing.” — Maryland courts
- “Beach or athletic wear.” — Maryland courts
- Also: Minnesota courts, DC Superior Court, Webb County family court, Texas, Tarrant County court, Texas, Kent County Courthouse, Delaware, Virgin Islands Superior Court, Federal court, Northern Oklahoma, Federal court, Eastern Oklahoma, Federal court, Connecticut, Federal court, Southern Florida, Federal court, Northern Iowa, Jefferson City Municipal Court, Missouri, Ottawa Municipal Court, Kansas
Mini-skirts, low necklines, bare midriffs and see-through clothes 14 of 29 pages
- “Abbreviated clothing (for example, shorts, cut-offs, muscle shirts, halter or tank tops, bare midriffs, exposed undergarments, etc. ).” — Maryland courts
- “See-through clothing.” — Maryland courts
- Also: Maricopa County Superior Court, Arizona, Minnesota courts, Webb County family court, Texas, Kent County Courthouse, Delaware, Tehama County prosecutor, California, Federal court, Central California, Federal court, Western North Carolina, St. Louis Municipal Court, Jefferson City Municipal Court, Missouri, Blue Ridge Municipal Court, Georgia, Collierville Municipal Court, Tennessee, Artesia Municipal Court, New Mexico, Ottawa Municipal Court, Kansas
Flip-flops, slippers and beach wear 12 of 29 pages
- “Beach or athletic wear.” — Maryland courts
- “No shorts, open-toed shoes, hats, or revealing clothing” — Maricopa County Superior Court, Arizona
- Also: DC Superior Court, Webb County family court, Texas, Virgin Islands Superior Court, Tehama County prosecutor, California, Federal court, Central California, Federal court, Southern California, Federal court, Northern Georgia, Clear Lake Shores Municipal Court, Texas, Artesia Municipal Court, New Mexico, Ottawa Municipal Court, Kansas
Words or pictures that offend, and gang clothing 10 of 29 pages
- “Never wear shorts, t-shirts, clothing with obscenity on it, work-out clothes, sandals, sunglasses, a hat or excessive make-up or jewelry to court.” — Webb County family court, Texas
- “Gang Related Clothing” — Kent County Courthouse, Delaware
- Also: Tehama County prosecutor, California, Clark County prosecutor, Nevada, Federal court, Western North Carolina, Houston Municipal Courts, Blue Ridge Municipal Court, Georgia, Clear Lake Shores Municipal Court, Texas, Artesia Municipal Court, New Mexico, Ottawa Municipal Court, Kansas
Torn clothes and clothes with holes 7 of 29 pages
- “Shorts, T-shirts, plunging necklines, and torn clothing are not appropriate.” — Minnesota courts
- “You do not need to buy new clothes or wear a suit but your clothes should be clean and without holes.” — Alaska courts
- Also: Tarrant County court, Texas, Blue Ridge Municipal Court, Georgia, Collierville Municipal Court, Tennessee, Clear Lake Shores Municipal Court, Texas, Artesia Municipal Court, New Mexico
Pants that sag below the waist 5 of 29 pages
- “Pants that fall below the hips that expose undergarments or bare skin” — Kent County Courthouse, Delaware
- “No sagging pants” — Jefferson City Municipal Court, Missouri
- Also: Blue Ridge Municipal Court, Georgia, Artesia Municipal Court, New Mexico, Ottawa Municipal Court, Kansas
Sunglasses 3 of 29 pages
- “Take your hat and sunglasses off when in the courtroom.” — Alaska courts
- “Never wear shorts, t-shirts, clothing with obscenity on it, work-out clothes, sandals, sunglasses, a hat or excessive make-up or jewelry to court.” — Webb County family court, Texas
- Also: Blue Ridge Municipal Court, Georgia
Pajamas 2 of 29 pages
- “No Pajamas” — Blue Ridge Municipal Court, Georgia
- “No pajamas or pajama pants” — Ottawa Municipal Court, Kansas
Where the courts differ
Jeans
- “Collared shirts, slacks, nice jeans (no holes or fraying in fabric), and other business casual attire is generally acceptable.” — Tarrant County court, Texas
- “Business casual attire is acceptable, clothing such as tank or halter tops, shorts, t-shirts, blue jeans or sweat pants is not appropriate to wear while you are sitting as a juror.” — Federal court, Connecticut
- “Shorts, jeans and t-shirts are not considered appropriate.” — Federal court, Southern Florida
- “Shorts, jeans, t-shirts, tank tops and sweatshirts should not be worn.” — Federal court, Northern Iowa
How long shorts may be
- “Shorts (No more than 4 inches above the knee when standing) or Cut-Off Jeans” — Kent County Courthouse, Delaware
- “Shorts (all types)” — Houston Municipal Courts
- “The following clothing articles are prohibited: shorts (any kind), hats (all types except religious headwear), muscle shirts and tank tops, torn clothing, flip-flops, and any item of clothing that displays offensive, vulgar, racist, sexist, gang-related, obscene language and/or graphics.” — Clear Lake Shores Municipal Court, Texas
- “No shorts above the knee” — Jefferson City Municipal Court, Missouri
- “Shorts are permissible if they are finger-tip length or longer.” — St. Louis Municipal Court
- “All skirts, skorts, or shorts must reach below the fingertip.” — Artesia Municipal Court, New Mexico
Sleeveless tops
- “Although juror attire may be casual, wearing apparel such as tee-shirts, sleeveless tops, slippers, and shorts are prohibited.” — Virgin Islands Superior Court
- “Sleeveless tops are permissible.” — St. Louis Municipal Court
- “Tank Tops / No Bare Shoulders” — Blue Ridge Municipal Court, Georgia
Business casual, or business clothes
- “It is recommended that jurors wear clothing that would be worn when conducting formal business.” — Virgin Islands Superior Court
- “Business attire is strongly suggested. Ties are not required.” — Federal court, Central California
- “Due to the dignity of Court proceedings, it is requested you wear business casual attire.” — Federal court, Southern California
- “Jurors should be comfortably dressed.” — Federal court, Northern Georgia
Each court sets its own dress code: your summons, subpoena or hearing notice, and the court’s own website, come first.
From 29 official pages, quoted: 9 federal courts’ juror pages, state courts in Maryland, Arizona, Minnesota, Alaska, DC, Texas, Delaware and the Virgin Islands, 8 city and traffic courts, and 3 prosecutors’ witness pages. Checked 2026-10-16. Ours: the four roles and four courts, which lines show for each, and the short line that sums up each quoted list.
Quick answer: for jury duty, wear business casual: slacks or a skirt with a collared shirt or blouse, or a dress, and bring a sweater, because courtrooms are cold. In your own case, dress as you would for a job interview; as a witness, neat business casual; watching, neat clothes that cover you. Whoever you are, no shorts, tank tops or hats (a religious head covering is fine) and no flip-flops. Your summons and your court’s own dress code come first.
How to use it
Pick who you are in court: a juror, a witness, someone in the case (the defendant, the plaintiff, a parent in a custody hearing) or someone watching or supporting a friend. Then pick the court: a state or county court, a federal court, a traffic or city court, or a family court. The tool puts the outfit together part by part and shows the courts’ own words under every line, quotes from courts like yours first. Open What courts ban to see each item and how many of the 29 pages list it, and Where the courts differ for jeans, the length of shorts and sleeveless tops. Every answer has its own link you can save or send.
What to wear to court, by who you are
| Who you are | What to wear | The outfit | Shoes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A juror (jury duty) | Business casual | Slacks or a skirt with a collared shirt or blouse, or a dress, and a sweater for a cold courtroom. | Real shoes, never flip-flops or slippers |
| A witness | Neat business casual | Clean, conservative clothes you would wear to an office, with nothing about the case on them. | Real shoes, never flip-flops or slippers |
| In the case (defendant, plaintiff, parent) | Dress as for a job interview | Your neatest, most professional clothes; a suit jacket if you have one, but you don’t need to buy new clothes. | Closed shoes: no sandals, open toes or flip-flops |
| Watching or supporting someone | Neat and covered | Clean, neat clothes that cover you: the dress code is for everyone who walks in, not only the people in the case. | Real shoes, never flip-flops or slippers |
Each line is put together from the courts’ own pages, listed at the end. The four roles and the short line for each are ours; the tool quotes the courts under every one.
What not to wear to court: what courts ban
We read 29 official pages and counted the ones that name each item. A page that does not name an item has not allowed it: the judge decides on the day. Kent County, Delaware: “If attire is borderline or questionable, final determination will be that of the Judges of the Kent County Courthouse.”
| Banned | Pages that list it |
|---|---|
| Shorts (a few courts allow long ones) | 25 of 29 |
| Tank tops, halters and muscle shirts | 22 of 29 |
| Hats and caps (a religious head covering is fine) | 20 of 29 |
| T-shirts, sweatpants and gym clothes | 14 of 29 |
| Mini-skirts, low necklines, bare midriffs and see-through clothes | 14 of 29 |
| Flip-flops, slippers and beach wear | 12 of 29 |
| Words or pictures that offend, and gang clothing | 10 of 29 |
| Torn clothes and clothes with holes | 7 of 29 |
| Pants that sag below the waist | 5 of 29 |
| Sunglasses | 3 of 29 |
| Pajamas | 2 of 29 |
What to wear to jury duty
Business casual is the word most juror pages use. The Southern District of California’s federal court: “Due to the dignity of Court proceedings, it is requested you wear business casual attire.” The Central District of California asks a little more: “Business attire is strongly suggested. Ties are not required.” Maryland’s courts put it plainly: “Clothing worn for an office job or for a job interview.” Maryland also asks jurors not to wear uniforms or a work badge or name tag.
Bring a layer. Six of the juror pages say so; the Central District of California: “Courtrooms can be cold, so a sweater or jacket is recommended.” And dress the part the first day: “Jurors who are not appropriately dressed will be sent home and ordered to appear for jury service on a future date.” At a federal courthouse you also pass a metal detector, so leave extra metal and jewelry at home.
In your own case, as a witness, or watching
If the case is yours, dress as for a job interview. Maricopa County’s Superior Court: “Dress professionally – like you are preparing for a job interview”. You do not need new clothes; Alaska’s courts: “You do not need to buy new clothes or wear a suit but your clothes should be clean and without holes.” A Tarrant County, Texas court sets a stricter rule for the people in the case, “Courtroom participants are expected to wear appropriate business attire in the courtroom”, and a looser one for visitors.
As a witness, neat business casual, with nothing about the case on you. Tehama County’s prosecutor in California: “Do not wear buttons or carry signs having to do with the case without discussing it first with the prosecutor.” Watching or supporting someone, the dress code still applies to you. Collierville’s municipal court in Tennessee: “All Court visitors must be appropriately dressed to be admitted into the courtroom.”
Traffic court and family court
City courts, where most traffic tickets are heard, tend to post the strictest lists and check at the door. Artesia’s municipal court in New Mexico: “If you are dressed in violation to the above dress code policy, you will not be permitted to enter the court room, and will be re-scheduled to appear at a later date, in more appropriate attire.” And being turned away does not excuse you; Kent County, Delaware: “Wearing inappropriate attire and being denied entry to the courthouse will not be an excuse as to tardiness or failure to appear for any court hearing.”
For a family court hearing (a divorce, custody or support case), dress as for a job interview and leave the children at home unless the court asks for them. Alaska’s family self-help center: “Do not bring your children. Make arrangements for someone to take care of them.”
Can you wear jeans to court?
It depends on the court, and the safer answer is no. Three federal juror pages rule them out, among them the Northern District of Iowa: “Shorts, jeans, t-shirts, tank tops and sweatshirts should not be worn.” A Tarrant County, Texas court allows them for visitors only: “Collared shirts, slacks, nice jeans (no holes or fraying in fabric), and other business casual attire is generally acceptable.” Ripped or cut-off jeans are out everywhere that mentions them.
Where the courts differ
- Jeans: ruled out for jurors in Connecticut, Southern Florida and Northern Iowa; “nice jeans” are fine for visitors in a Tarrant County, Texas court.
- How long shorts may be: Houston’s municipal courts ban “Shorts (all types)”; St. Louis allows them “if they are finger-tip length or longer”; Kent County, Delaware, up to 4 inches above the knee.
- Sleeveless tops: St. Louis says “Sleeveless tops are permissible.”; the Virgin Islands Superior Court rules them out for jurors, and Blue Ridge, Georgia rules out bare shoulders.
- For jurors, business casual or business clothes: most federal juror pages say business casual; the Central District of California and the Virgin Islands Superior Court ask for business clothes; the Northern District of Georgia asks only that “Jurors should be comfortably dressed.”
- Whether you need a suit in your own case: a Tarrant County court lists a suit among business attire for the people in the case; Alaska and Minnesota say you do not need to buy one.
Where they differ, the safer side is the more covered, more formal one.
Outfit ideas
For outfits that fit these lines, see NeedleStyle’s business casual outfits for women, business casual summer outfits and stylish work outfits. Dressing for an interview instead? The interview outfit finder does that, and the Dress Code Decoder explains what an invitation’s dress code means.
The pages we read
Federal courts’ juror pages: Central California, Southern California, Northern Oklahoma, Eastern Oklahoma, Connecticut, Southern Florida, Northern Georgia, Northern Iowa and Western North Carolina, and the U.S. Attorney for Eastern Wisconsin’s tips for witnesses.
State courts: Maryland’s jury service, Maricopa County Superior Court, Minnesota, Alaska’s family self-help center, DC Superior Court’s Family Court Self-Help Center, Webb County, Texas, Tarrant County’s 342nd District Court, Kent County Courthouse, Delaware and the Virgin Islands Superior Court, with the witness pages of the Tehama County and Clark County prosecutors.
City and traffic courts: Houston, St. Louis, Jefferson City, Blue Ridge, Collierville, Clear Lake Shores, Artesia and Ottawa, Kansas. Four of these pages (Minnesota, Jefferson City, Blue Ridge and Collierville) refuse automated readers, so we read their Internet Archive copies. Every quote was checked against its page on 16 October 2026.
FAQ
What should I wear to jury duty?
Business casual: slacks or a skirt with a collared shirt or blouse, or a dress, with real shoes. Bring a sweater or jacket, because courtrooms are often cold. No shorts, tank tops, T-shirts, flip-flops or hats; a juror dressed wrong can be sent home and called back another day.
Is there a dress code for jury duty?
Yes, at most courts, even where the page says there is no formal one. Federal juror pages ask for business casual and list what is not allowed, most often shorts, tank tops, T-shirts and hats. Your jury summons or the court’s jury page has your court’s own rules.
What should I wear to court?
It depends on who you are. In your own case, dress as for a job interview; as a witness, neat business casual; on a jury, business casual; watching, clean clothes that cover you. Everyone: no shorts, tank tops, hats or flip-flops.
What should a woman wear to court?
Slacks, a skirt or a dress that is not too tight, too short or low-cut, with a blouse; a jacket if you have one. Closed shoes for your own hearing. Courts rule out mini-skirts, bare midriffs, low necklines and see-through clothes.
Can you wear jeans to court?
Usually not. Several federal juror pages rule jeans out; one Texas court allows nice jeans for visitors only. Ripped or cut-off jeans are out everywhere. If you have slacks, wear them.
What should I wear to traffic court?
Neat clothes, as for a job interview: city and traffic courts post some of the strictest lists, with no shorts, tank tops, hats, flip-flops or offensive prints, and some turn people away at the door and move their case.
What should I wear to court as a witness?
Neat, conservative business casual, with nothing about the case on you: no buttons, signs or photos of the victim. No shorts or tank tops. If you are not sure, ask the prosecutor’s office or your victim-witness advocate.
What should I wear to family court or divorce court?
What you would wear to a job interview: your neatest clean clothes, a collared shirt or blouse, slacks, a skirt or a dress, and closed shoes. You do not need to buy a suit. Leave the children at home unless the court asks for them.