Collection: Legal Gowns

A solicitor should wear a black gown, collar and band or collarette. Underneath, they should wear smart, formal clothing.

Female barristers wear the same as male barristers though they can choose to wear a collarette instead of a band if they prefer. Underneath, they wear typical formal clothing such as a professional dress, skirt or dress pants paired with a formal shirt.

Solicitors generally only need to wear formal, professional clothing but they can also wear gowns if they want to or if the case they’re presiding over calls for it.

Lawyers originally wore black gowns as a sign of mourning after Charles II died in 1685. They now symbolise the power, authority and respect of the law.