A federal judge has approved Sean “Diddy” Combs’ request to dress in civilian attire to his upcoming trial for sex trafficking, scheduled to start May 5, 2025. The ruling enables him to enter court dressed in civilian clothes, something often done to avoid possible jury bias.
Judge Arun Subramanian of New York’s Southern District issued the directive to Combs on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, outlining the type of attire Combs can be given at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, where Combs is detained. The court document reads:
“The defendant Sean Combs, Inmate # 37452-054, will be permitted to receive non-prison clothing at the MDC to wear for his trial scheduled to begin on May 5, 2025.”
The approved wardrobe includes:
- Up to five button-down shirts
- Up to five pairs of pants
- Up to five sweaters
- Up to five pairs of socks
- Up to two pairs of shoes without laces
The restriction on shoelaces is a standard security measure for inmates attending court proceedings. While the order does not mention jewelry, it may leave room for Combs to wear accessories if he chooses.
This comes after his earlier appearances in court, where he appeared dressed in standard prison attire. This is by legal practice to have defendants appear in court in civilian clothing to prevent prejudicing the jury.
Sean “Diddy” Combs, 55, was arrested in New York City in September 2024 and indicted on federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The racketeering charge carries a potential sentence of 15 years to life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors allege that Combs leveraged his “power and prestige” to coerce and abuse women over two decades, orchestrating elaborate sexual performances dubbed “Freak Offs” involving drugged participants, including male sex workers.
Combs has pleaded not guilty, with his defense team asserting that the government is mischaracterizing consensual relationships with former long-term girlfriends. Since his arrest, multiple federal judges have denied him bail, citing concerns over potential witness tampering, keeping him detained at the MDC.
Jury selection is scheduled for May 5, 2025, with opening statements expected around May 12. Legal experts predict the trial will span approximately eight weeks. Combs’ legal team recently sought a two-month delay to gather more witness information and address updates to the indictment. Still, Judge Subramanian rejected the request, noting that the defense, with at least four attorneys, has adequate preparation time.
While detained, Combs has undergone noticeable physical transformations. In March 2025, he appeared in court with gray hair and a gray beard, a significant departure from his earlier look, as captured in courtroom sketches circulated by the media.
The judge’s decision on courtroom attire holds special significance given Combs’ prominent fashion background. He won the Council of Fashion Designers of America award in 2004 for his Sean John clothing line and was lauded for his influence on style. A 2019 Vogue feature marking his 50th birthday remarked that it was “hard to overstate the sartorial impact” he had. Combs once said,
“Coming from Harlem, your style is everything; you can’t compromise on your style,”
Underscoring the personal importance of this ruling as he faces trial.
With the trial set to commence on May 5, 2025, this high-profile case is poised to draw widespread media attention. It may include testimony from notable figures, such as Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
