If you are an applicant, respondent, claimant or defendant going to court, what you wear should help you feel calm and confident – not more stressed. You do not need an expensive suit, but you do want to look tidy and respectful.

This guide is for women attending:

- Magistrates’ court
- County court (including small claims hearings)
- Family court
- Other civil or tribunal hearings in England and Wales

It assumes you are not a solicitor or barrister, just someone attending their own case.

Everything here is general information, not a rulebook – but it will help you feel more prepared. And however anxious things feel now, it is possible for everything to be okay in the end.

Table of contents

1. How judges really see what you wear
Expectations for applicants, respondents, claimants and defendants.

2. Simple rules: what to avoid wearing
Clothes that can distract from what you are saying.

3. Practical outfit ideas for women
Options for formal, smart‑casual, and tight budgets.

4. Comfort, anxiety and long court days
Staying comfortable during a long hearing.

5. Using Caira to prepare your statement and questions
How AI can help you feel more ready.

6. Review checks before the day
Quick list to run through the night before.

1. How judges really see what you wear

If you are going to court for the first time, you might imagine everyone in wigs, gowns and strict rules. In England and Wales, the reality is more relaxed for people using the courts.

- Judges and magistrates see hundreds of applicants and respondents every year.
- They know that many people are nervous, on a tight budget, and not sure what to wear.
- They are usually more interested in what you say and whether you are being honest than the exact brand of your clothes.

You are not expected to dress like a solicitor or barrister. You do not have to buy a new suit for a short court hearing or small claims case.

That said, your clothes can still send a message:

- Clean, tidy clothing suggests you have taken the hearing seriously.
- Offensive or very scruffy clothing can distract from your evidence.

The aim is neat, calm and respectful, not perfect.

2. Simple rules: what to avoid wearing

There are no strict dress codes for most people attending court, but some choices tend to give a poor impression.

Try to avoid:

- Tracksuits and sportswear – they can look like you have not prepared, even if that is not true.
- Clothes with offensive words or images – anything showing sex, violence, drugs, gore, or strong slogans.
- Very dirty, ripped, or stained clothing – it can distract from your evidence.
- Very revealing outfits – low‑cut tops, extremely short skirts, or see‑through materials may make you feel self‑conscious.
- Lots of noisy jewellery – bangles or earrings that jingle every time you move can be distracting.

These are not about judging your personal style. They are about avoiding things that pull attention away from what you are saying as an applicant, respondent, claimant or defendant.

3. Practical outfit ideas for women

You do not need to spend a lot of money. Use clothes you already own if you can.

Option 1: Simple smart‑casual

This works well for most magistrates’ court or county court hearings:

- Plain top or blouse (no big slogans)
- Cardigan, blazer, or simple jumper
- Dark trousers, smart jeans without rips, or a knee‑length skirt
- Closed shoes (flats, boots or low heels)

Colours like navy, grey, black, dark green, or soft blues often feel calm.

Option 2: Slightly more formal (if it helps your confidence)

If wearing something more formal makes you feel ready and grounded, you might choose:

- A simple dress with a cardigan or blazer
- A trouser suit or matching skirt and jacket

If you are in a trusted profession (doctor, teacher, accountant, civil servant, tax adviser, etc.), a suit in navy or blue can reflect that. Blue is often seen as a trustworthy and calm colour.

Option 3: Very tight budgets

If you are worried about money:

- Focus on cleanliness and comfort rather than buying new clothes.
- Choose your neatest everyday outfit and make sure it is washed and ironed if possible.
- If you can borrow a cardigan, blazer or simple coat from a friend or family member, that can be enough to make the whole outfit look smarter.

You do not need to pay for professional work clothes just for one court hearing.

4. Comfort, anxiety and long court days

A day in court can be long. You may be waiting around for hours as other cases are heard.

Think about:

- Layers: Cardigans and blazers are useful because you can take them off if it is warm and put them on if it is cooler.
- Shoes: Wear shoes you can stand and walk in for long periods. Brand‑new shoes that rub will not help.
- Fit: Choose clothes that do not dig in or feel tight when you sit. Anxiety can already affect your breathing and stomach; your clothes should not make this worse.
- Toilets: Avoid outfits that are difficult to undo quickly; you may need to use the toilet during short breaks.

Remind yourself that magistrates and judges are people too. Many are used to seeing nervous defendants and claimants. They are often kinder and calmer in how they speak than some letters from solicitors might suggest.

Taking a few slow breaths before you go into the courtroom can help. However hard today feels, it is still possible for things to work out over time.

5. Using Caira to prepare your statement and questions

What you wear matters less than what you say and what is in your documents.

If you are an applicant, respondent, claimant or defendant, you can use Caira, an AI‑powered legal assistant for England and Wales, to feel more prepared for your court hearing.

With Caira you can:

- Upload your court forms, witness statements, position statements and other submissions (PDF, DOCX, spreadsheets, photos and screenshots).
- Ask Caira to review your statement, spot unclear parts, and suggest calmer, clearer wording.
- Ask for practice questions that a magistrate, judge or other party might ask you, so you can rehearse your answers.
- Get explanations of legal language (for example, what ''respondent'', ''defendant'' or ''small claims'' mean) in plain English.

Caira is powered by generative AI but is built to be privacy‑first. Your documents are not used to train public AI models and are not sent for third‑party review. Behind the scenes, it draws on more than 10,000 legal and tax documents for England and Wales together with your uploads.

You can try Caira with a free 14‑day trial that takes under a minute to start and does not require a credit card. After that it is an affordable monthly service at £15/month – a relatively cheap way to feel more confident before and after your hearing.

6. Review checks before the day

The night before your hearing, run through these checks:

- Clothing check – Are your clothes clean, comfortable, and free from offensive images or slogans?
- Bag check – Do you have your court papers, ID, any notes or questions, and something to drink or snack on?
- Timing check – Do you know what time to arrive and how you will get to court?
- Mindset check – Remind yourself that the court wants to understand your side of the story. Your clothes do not need to be perfect; they just need to help you feel steady.

Whatever happens on the day, it is one step in a longer process. With the right information, documents and support, things can become calmer and more manageable over time.