A Chinese businesswoman has gone on trial for allegedly lying to a Secret Service agent and trespassing at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club – but only after a delay caused by missing underwear.

Defendant Yujing Zhang, who is representing herself in court, began the day in brown jail garb, which is usually not worn within sight of a jury in order not to influence them.

Before jurors were allowed into the courtroom, she told Judge Roy Altman that she was wearing the prison uniform because she had not been provided with any undergarments.

After some discussion about which agency was supposed to provide Ms Zhang with the requisite items of clothing, she was taken to a holding cell and changed into clothes found in her hotel room after her March arrest.

Judge Altman has been frustrated with Ms Zhang’s decision to serve as her own lawyer during the federal trial, and requested that she consult with Kristy Militello, her former public defender, during jury selection.

Ms Zhang did so, but later said she would not give an opening statement, nor allow Ms Militello to deliver one.

Judge Altman was appointed by Mr Trump, but says the president has no direct connection to the case.

On Monday, he again expressed frustration over her courtroom behaviour, including speaking in Mandarin. He has repeatedly accused of her "playing games."

Ms Zhang was arrested March 30 after she allegedly lied to get past a Secret Service agent guarding Mar-a-Lago, saying she was there to use the pool.

Later, she told a receptionist she was there for a United Nations friendship event that night and had come early to take pictures. That event had been cancelled, which prosecutors say Ms Zhang knew.

The president was staying at Mar-a-Lago that weekend, but was at his nearby golf club when Ms Zhang arrived.

She faces no charges of espionage, but prosecutors maintain that her case has national security implications.

She faces up to six years if convicted.