A formal piece of neckwear worn by barristers, judges, and some clergy, consisting of two starched, rectangular strips of white linen or cotton. They are tied around the neck over a winged collar and hang down the chest. In legal tailoring, they are a strict requirement for traditional court dress in many Commonwealth jurisdictions.
Heard on the job
Make sure you pack your barrister's bands before we head to the Crown Court.
Insider tip
They are traditionally made of heavily starched cotton or linen so they stay crisp and flat during long court sessions.
Also heard as
- bands