What colour shirt must an advocate wear in court in India?

White. Under the Bar Council of India Rules, the dress for male advocates includes a white shirt with a white collar and white bands under a black coat, and women advocates wear a white collar or white blouse with white bands.

Are advocate bands compulsory?

White bands are part of the prescribed court dress. The Rules allow a black tie instead of bands in some courts below the High Court and district level, so check your court's practice.

Is the black gown compulsory?

The advocate's gown is optional except when appearing in the Supreme Court or a High Court, where it is required.

How many white shirts does an advocate need?

Most practising advocates keep at least five, one for each court day, so a fresh shirt is always ready while others are being washed.

How do I keep a white court shirt from turning yellow?

Wash it with whites only, use a mild detergent, avoid chlorine bleach, rinse well to remove sweat and soap, and dry in shade. A shirt made to stay white, such as ours, keeps its colour through 100 washes.

Advocate dress code in India: what shirt to wear in court

By the VakalatHouse team · Last updated 6 November 2026

In short: advocates in India wear a white shirt with white bands under a black coat, with the advocate's gown required in the Supreme Court and High Courts. This is set out in the Bar Council of India Rules, made under the Advocates Act, 1961.

What the Bar Council of India Rules say

Part VI, Chapter IV of the Bar Council of India Rules prescribes the dress advocates wear when they appear before courts and tribunals. In summary:

Male advocates: a black buttoned-up coat, chapkan, achkan or black sherwani with white bands, or a black open-breast coat with a white shirt, white collar (stiff or soft) and white bands. Trousers are white, black, striped or grey, or a dhoti; jeans are not allowed.
Women advocates: a black full-sleeve jacket or blouse with a white collar and white bands, or a white blouse with white bands and a black open-breast coat, with a sari, long skirt, flares or salwar-kurta in white, black or a subdued colour.
Gown: optional, except in the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Bands or tie: in courts below the district level, a black tie may be worn instead of bands.

This is a plain-language summary. Some High Courts relax the coat requirement in summer by notification, so check your court's current directions.

How to choose a white shirt for court

A collar that holds bands. Bands sit on the collar all day, so it should be firm, with a closed front that keeps them flat and centred.
Whiteness that lasts. Court shirts are washed far more often than office shirts. Choose one made to stay white wash after wash instead of turning yellow or grey.
Opaque fabric. It should not show through under a black coat or courtroom lights.
Comfort and easy care. Long hearings and crowded corridors call for a shirt that breathes and irons quickly.
A price you can buy five of. Big-brand white formal shirts cost ₹1,500 to ₹4,500 or more. Buying in combos keeps a fresh shirt ready for every court day.

Questions advocates ask

What colour shirt must an advocate wear in court in India?: White. Under the Bar Council of India Rules, the dress for male advocates includes a white shirt with a white collar and white bands under a black coat, and women advocates wear a white collar or white blouse with white bands.
Are advocate bands compulsory?: White bands are part of the prescribed court dress. The Rules allow a black tie instead of bands in some courts below the High Court and district level, so check your court's practice.
Is the black gown compulsory?: The advocate's gown is optional except when appearing in the Supreme Court or a High Court, where it is required.
How many white shirts does an advocate need?: Most practising advocates keep at least five, one for each court day, so a fresh shirt is always ready while others are being washed.
How do I keep a white court shirt from turning yellow?: Wash it with whites only, use a mild detergent, avoid chlorine bleach, rinse well to remove sweat and soap, and dry in shade. A shirt made to stay white, such as ours, keeps its colour through 100 washes.