I was thinking about picking up a tan suit for the summer, but how appropriate is it for working in a judge's chambers and making courtroom appearances (both of which require business attire)?
oxfordcloth
What do others wear? What level of court are we talking about? Will this be a staple or worn only on occasion?
If other judicial employees who make court appearances wear only charcoal or navy, you have your answer. I would imagine the standards are different for, say, superior court than traffic court. I would think a tan suit would be OK in stupid-hot weather, but not as a staple.
A tan suit is worth getting, regardless, if you live where it can get hot and have occasion to wear a suit when it does so.
If other judicial employees who make court appearances wear only charcoal or navy, you have your answer. I would imagine the standards are different for, say, superior court than traffic court. I would think a tan suit would be OK in stupid-hot weather, but not as a staple.
A tan suit is worth getting, regardless, if you live where it can get hot and have occasion to wear a suit when it does so.
I wear mine to state court in the heat of summer, and I see others doing the same. Oklahoma is just southern enough to get away with it. I'll also see other attorneys in seersucker on occasion, though not in the courtroom.
I'll echo 32 and say get one whether you decide it's appropriate for court or not. They're great for summer weddings, church, social events, etc. You'll be more comfortable and stand out (in a good way) from the crowd.
Edit: the above was written with tan cotton poplin in mind.
I'll echo 32 and say get one whether you decide it's appropriate for court or not. They're great for summer weddings, church, social events, etc. You'll be more comfortable and stand out (in a good way) from the crowd.
Edit: the above was written with tan cotton poplin in mind.
Actually, I think it may have been linen, but the point's the same. In some climes, you just have to.
Ask around the older trial attorneys in your local Bar. We, here, can speculate, but they'll know from experience what the drill is in your venue.
This is a federal court in Southern California, which I last visited a month or two ago in the middle of winter, when everyone was wearing darker, heavier suits. Not sure if this changes when 90+ degree weather hits in June.
Admittedly, I'm a young law student, so I definitely don't want to look overly flashy and get laughed out of chambers. Though the merits of having a tan cotton suit for networking and other more formal social events sound good...
I'd play it safe and stick with tropical weight wool in navy and charcoal. It's not like there's no AC in the courthouse, and it's not a sticky heat in SoCal. Plus, the tan suits will go on sale in July, so you can get a bargain in time to wear for the latter half of the summer. And you'll know by then whether it is appropriate.
Talked to the boss.
He said, of course, it really depends on the judge you are appearing in front of. That said, he indicated, based on what he sees other attorneys wearing in the courts, something like a tan or olive poplin, even seersucker, would be perfectly acceptable during warmer months. When I clarified that we're talking about a suit from a place like BB or Press, he said no problem at all. He even said he frequently sees attorneys wearing dress pants and a SC in the courtrooms, and no one thinks anything of it. He also added there's been a noticeable uptick in bow tie wearers in L.A. courtrooms the last few years.
Lastly, he divulged a few tales of Judges he knows, and what they may sometimes wear under their robes...
![]()
He said, of course, it really depends on the judge you are appearing in front of. That said, he indicated, based on what he sees other attorneys wearing in the courts, something like a tan or olive poplin, even seersucker, would be perfectly acceptable during warmer months. When I clarified that we're talking about a suit from a place like BB or Press, he said no problem at all. He even said he frequently sees attorneys wearing dress pants and a SC in the courtrooms, and no one thinks anything of it. He also added there's been a noticeable uptick in bow tie wearers in L.A. courtrooms the last few years.
Lastly, he divulged a few tales of Judges he knows, and what they may sometimes wear under their robes...
Attachments
Practicing for 20 years, in court everyday, and I see tan/khaki/seersucker/linen very frequently in county court, district court, federal court . . . In fact, I put away the heavy, dark stuff come May, and almost exclusively wear light and colorful in the spring and summer (except when I am in trial, where the blue/gray rule still applies to all prosecutors.) It is appropriate here, where it gets REAL hot in the spring and summer.
I assume that you are asking because you will be doing some more of internship. I would suggest asking the advisor at your school and/or the court clerk(s).
If SoCal is anything like the Steel City, I'm sure you will see all manner of dress (appropriate or not) while you clerk. Having once been in your position, however, I would steer clear of the tan suit, particularly in a federal court. As 32RNR said, stick with tropical weight or something like Brooks Cool in standard colors such as charcoal or navy.
This sort of question is not amenable to a nationwide answer. Some localities don't really accommodate summer suits in courtrooms, at least not as an appropriate form of attire. Down South? Of course bench and bar wear tan suits, poplins, seersuckers, etc. in the summertime. It depends 100% on your local mileage. Only the insights of, or your observations of, your local bench and bar can answer this question in a meaningful fashion.
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
