First impressions matter a lot for lawyers, whether they’re appearing in court, meeting clients, or attending their law firm. Of course, your professional image plays a big role in this.

Different levels of business dress are expected in every situation. Navigating the different rules and expectations of each setting can be tricky, especially when there isn’t a ‘set’ dress code for lawyers.

This guide will show you the best ways to make a good impression in any setting and dress professionally, especially how to dress for graduation, as well as what to wear to a conference, and what to wear for headshots. 

Here's a quick overview of really simple and safe options for both men and women in the law profession. Generally, a professional white collared shirt is the safest choice with light blue as an equally viable secondary option.

Business Professional Dress Code for Lawyers

Lawyers are expected to present themselves in a polished and professional manner. The business professional dress code is the standard attire for most legal professionals, ensuring they look credible and authoritative

This typically includes dark suits, collared dress shirts, conservative ties, and polished dress shoes.

For female lawyers, business professional attire may also include blouses, blazers, pencil skirts, or dress pants in neutral colors. Accessories should be minimal and professional, avoiding flashy or distracting elements.

While some law firms have embraced business casual attire on certain days, business professional remains the norm for client meetings, court appearances, and other formal legal settings.

Dressing appropriately is key to maintaining a professional image in the legal industry.

Differences Between Courtroom Attire and Office Wear

Lawyers must adjust their attire depending on whether they are in the courtroom or at the office. In court, attorneys are expected to wear formal business attire to convey authority and respect for the legal process.

This usually means a dark suit, a pressed dress shirt, and a slim tie for men, while women opt for tailored dresses, skirt suits, or pant suits in dark colors. Dress shoes should always be polished, and accessories should be kept to a minimum.

In contrast, law firms often allow more flexibility in their office dress codes. While business professional attire is still the standard in many firms, some workplaces permit more business casual attire on certain days.

Business casual options may include dress slacks, button-up shirts, and loafers or dress shoes for men, while women may wear blouses, cardigans, and slacks or knee-length skirts for this legal profession.

However, even in a more relaxed office setting, lawyers should always dress appropriately to maintain professionalism and be prepared for any unexpected client meetings or court visits.

 

Category	Men (Court)	Men (Office)	Women (Court)	Women (Office)
Tops	Dark suit, white/blue dress shirt, conservative tie	Dress shirt, blazer, optional tie	Dark suit, blouse, or dress	Blouse, cardigan, blazer
Bottoms	Dress pants matching suit	Dress slacks or chinos	Pencil skirt, dress pants, or tailored dress	Dress slacks, knee-length skirt
Shoes	Polished dress shoes (black or brown)	Loafers or dress shoes	Closed-toe heels or flats	Closed-toe flats or dress shoes
Setting	Formal and professional for court proceedings	Business casual or business professional	Formal and professional for court proceedings	Business casual or business professional

Tips for What to Wear as a Lawyer

Different settings call for different attire, although there are also classics you can rely on in any situation to dress like a lawyer, especially for court appearances. Here is a separate guide on what to wear for jury duty and what to wear to court.

Start with Color

As a professional, it’s important to keep your wardrobe colors in line with business attire similar to what some finance bros might wear. That means neutrals and classic colors are your best options.

Navy, dark to medium grays, and even charcoal are ideal suit colors. If you prefer lighter tones, a subtle gray is ideal. These color pairs are the standard dress code for both male and female lawyers. 

While black is usually a safe choice for many professions, lawyers tend to avoid it. Lawyers may choose to wear black for more formal attire and firm activities in the evening, outside of office hours. However, since it’s considered a mourning, or funeral attire color, it’s best to avoid it if you’re in doubt. 

Likewise, colors like dark brown, green, or tan may be acceptable in other professions. For legal practitioners, however, these colors come off as too informal and are best avoided.  

Pick a Tailored Fit

Suits, blazers, and sport coats are a common standard in law firm attire. While there’s rarely a stipulation that these should be tailored, it’s a good idea regardless. Bespoke pieces are always the best option; they’re made just for you, and they put a seamless finish on your appearance. Here's a guide on how a suit should fit on you.

If you don’t go for bespoke pieces, at least you wear suits that are properly tailored. You may find an ideal piece and have it hemmed or altered later. It’s much better to have a good fit than to settle for a baggy suit. 

Leave Wrinkles at Home

One of the biggest keys to the dress code for lawyers is looking clean cut and professional. If you wear suits and wrinkled clothing, it throws off your wardrobe, no matter how nice your suit is.

Clothes should be pressed or ironed, without any areas that look worn or tatty. If you prefer, get your business clothes dry-cleaned to complete the image.

To avoid accidentally showing up without freshly pressed clothes, it’s a good idea to have a backup outfit ready for unexpected events.  

 

Dress Shirts

Dress shirts are an absolute must to dress like a lawyer. While the cut and style varies for male and female lawyers, a t-shirt simply won’t do for the legal profession. Just like with suits (and any other piece of your outfit), dress shirts should be pressed and steamed so that they are wrinkle-free, or go with non-iron dress shirts as an alternative.

Light colored dress shirts are standard, with most lawyers choosing white, cream, or a classic light blue tone. Keep in mind that you should pair the color of your dress shirt with the color of your suit, or the rest of your ensemble.

The shirt should also be well fitted, without being overly tight.

For legal profession events, like an informal get together with the firm, or meeting with more relaxed clients, you can switch up your shirt a little bit. You may not need to go with a full button up dress shirt, but keep it professional.

A golf shirt, sweater, or polo is typically acceptable depending on the event, but your company’s policies should dictate how casual you dress.

Lastly, consider wearing an undershirt for your dress shirt to absorb sweat and take the wear and tear off your dress shirts. Here are our best undershirts for dress shirts picks.

 

Special Dress Codes for Gender

There are certainly different fashions for men and women, and as a result, there are different dress codes for business attire.

While many things are similar or the same, such as: acceptable colors, the need for a jacket, and keeping clothing pressed, there are various differences. Next, we’ll look at dress code guidelines specific to male and female lawyers.

What to Wear as a Male Lawyer

Suits are the apparel of choice for any male lawyer. Dress shirts are still a must, and should be buttoned up sufficiently. Along with the dress shirt, male lawyers are expected to don neckwear, i.e. a tie.

Some may choose to wear a bow tie, although it’s often discouraged. It’s not an issue of formal wear, bow ties are definitely a formal accessory. The issue is that bow ties are much less subdued than the traditional necktie.

There are special guidelines for neckties as well. Stay with a classic look to avoid too much ‘flash.’ Classic colors are always a safe choice, and in some cases, a subtle (the keyword is subtle) pattern is acceptable. 

Jacquard knit is a favorite material choice, although you can’t go wrong with a silk tie either. Make sure your tie matches your suit and dress shirt. Following the guidelines on color, navy and blue are always safe choices, although red tones add a classy spot of color too. 

Male lawyers should avoid casual shoes, and opt for a classic dress shoe that matches their suit. In certain situations, loafers are also acceptable. Dark leather shoes, paired with dark dress socks are ideal. Shoes should be shined and in good condition while facial hair should be shaved or well-trimmed.

 

 

What to Wear as a Female Lawyer

Female lawyers may have more difficulty navigating law firm dress codes, since the classic staple suit isn’t typically the option of choice.

However, like the dress code for male lawyers (and any lawyers, really), the colors should remain the same, as well as the rules for dressing down. A tailored suit is a great option for women lawyers, although for women, a black suit is more acceptable in a legal setting than it is for men. 

Lawyers wear suits in most firms, whether you wear pants or a skirt. Skirts are perfectly acceptable for female lawyers, as long as the skirt conforms to a certain style.

Avoid skirts that flare or have ruffles, as well as wrap style skirts. 

The best, and most professional style, is a straight (or pencil style) skirt that reaches to the knees or below. Some law firms may also allow capris to be worn, as long as they’re business attire, and longer than the casual style.

More diverse styles of shirts are usually allowed, provided they aren’t sheer, too low cut, or extremely tight. Sweaters and button up shirts are good options, in either white, cream, or light blue. Avoid casual styles of shirts, like halter styles, tank tops, or tops with cutouts. 

Female lawyers may wear heels or flats, although the color should still be neutral, and heel height kept within reason. Open toed shoes may seem too casual. It’s best to try and match shoes with jewelry and other accessories. 

 

Conclusion

You should always keep your law firm’s specific dress code in mind before you choose your wardrobe. If in doubt, err on the side of more formal, professional wear.

One of the most important things in any dress code is having a clean-cut, freshly pressed appearance. Remember to coordinate your ensemble, and tailor your style to each event. Learn more in our article about business casual vs business professional dress code. 

 

FAQs

What do American lawyers wear?

American lawyers typically wear professional business attire, which often includes a suit, dress shirt, tie, and polished dress shoes. In court, they usually opt for dark-colored suits, while in office settings, business casual attire may be acceptable depending on the firm's dress code.

What suits do top lawyers wear?

Top lawyers often wear high-quality, well-tailored suits made from premium fabrics like wool. Dark colors such as navy, charcoal, and black are preferred for a polished and authoritative look.

Brands like Brooks Brothers, Hugo Boss, and bespoke options are common choices among elite attorneys.

Why do lawyers dress so well?

Lawyers dress well to convey professionalism, credibility, and confidence. Their attire reflects the seriousness of their profession and helps establish trust with clients, judges, and colleagues. A well-dressed lawyer also commands respect in the courtroom and corporate settings.

Do lawyers wear 3-piece suits?

Some lawyers do wear 3-piece suits, especially in formal or high-profile cases where they want to make a strong impression. However, most lawyers stick to classic 2-piece suits for everyday wear, as they are more practical and widely accepted in professional settings.