Under the Roman Empire, they had the function of barristers (the name is known) but they were subject to rules and conditions for pursuing their profession.

In France, it was not until the reign of Philip VI of Valois for that the legal profession should be recognized. They were not called barristers but ordos (compared with the clergy) because at this time barristers were clerics.

The legal profession has been regulated from the Middle Ages and barristers should take an oath to defend the just causes. They were still clergymen, and argued in ecclesiastical costume. Later on the name of soutane was given to ecclesiastical costume.

During the French Revolution, there were no more barristers. Barristers returned back in 1810. In VXII th century, creation of the Bar Association with a Dean as "boss" of this bar. The barrister's dress has the religious costume as origin..

Nowadays, the barrister argues in a black dress, often tailor-made and in various fabrics such as panama, microfiber, silk, satin and others. Other professions, such as Bailiffs, directors or Professional agents and clerks wear the dress as well.

The complete costume of a barrister is the dress with buttons, épitoge (with or without fur), the toque, white gloves.