The COVID‑19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote hearings, and many courts have retained virtual options. Dress‑code orders for virtual appearances are now common, requiring participants to dress as they would for an in‑person hearing. Courts have imposed contempt sanctions on attorneys who appeared in virtual hearings wearing casual or inappropriate attire, and such orders are likely to increase as remote proceedings become permanent.
A legally defensible, culturally healthy dress policy should follow these guardrails: Frivolous Dress Order
: Typically made from lightweight, breathable materials like cotton or polyester blends to ensure comfort in warm weather. The COVID‑19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote
The tradition of requiring appropriate attire in court dates back centuries. In the United States, individual trial courts routinely issue dress‑code orders that apply to litigants, witnesses, attorneys, and even spectators. A typical modern court dress order, such as that signed by Judge Stephanie Maddox of the Lynchburg General District Court, requires that all individuals “dress in a manner that reflects the setting and dignity of the court proceedings”. Such orders commonly prohibit tank tops, cropped shirts, spaghetti straps, shorts, exposed midriffs, pajamas, clothing with obscene or offensive printing, hats (absent medical or religious reasons), and sunglasses. A legally defensible, culturally healthy dress policy should