Youth and Government is a simulation of how our state government works. We have a dress code that reflects the professional experience that Youth and Gov provides each of our students and adults, and also for any of the social times during the events. We ask that all stick to this dress code for our Pre-Leg and Assembly events, whether in-person or virtual. Accommodations to the dress code should be addressed to the Youth and Government office.

General Dress Code

  • During in-person Assembly, name badges must be worn at all times. For virtual meetings, please make sure your name and delegation is on the screen.
  • Hats may not be worn.
  • No clothing with inappropriate sayings or images.

Professional Dress

Professional Dress is required for Assembly sessions.

  1. Participants must wear one item from each of the following Bottom and Top layer categories:

Bottom Layer

  • Pants must be dress slacks (including khakis) or suit pants.
    • No jeans, sweatpants or shorts
  • Skirts must be no shorter than 3″ above the knee and no longer than the top of the shoes. Open pleat, vent, slit, or buttoned opening skirts may not be open higher than mid-thigh.
  • Dresses worn alone must have sleeves. A sleeveless dress may be worn with a jacket, cardigan, or sweater if the jacket, cardigan, or sweater is worn at all times. (Acceptable as top and bottom layer)

Top Layer

  • Shirts may be dress shirts must have a collar. Short-sleeved dress shirts are acceptable. No polos, or shirts with a banded collar or no collar.
  • Blouses, turtlenecks, or sweaters with sleeves. Short-sleeved blouses are acceptable
  • Dresses worn alone must have sleeves. A sleeveless dress may be worn with a jacket, cardigan, or sweater if the jacket, cardigan, or sweater is worn at all times. (Acceptable as top and bottom layer)
  1. Participants must wear one of each item in the following Outer layer list:

Outer Layer

People who identify as male:

  • Suit jacket or sport coat is required and should be worn at all times (may be removed during mealtimes).
  • Tie
  • Dress shoes. No athletic shoes, combat boots, work boots, sandals, or other similar shoes are allowed.

People who identify as female:

  • Suit jacket, sport coat, sweater or cardigan (that covers shoulders)
  • Dress shoes. No athletic shoes, combat boots, work boots, sandals, or other similar shoes are allowed.

Business Casual Dress

Business Casual is required for the Pre-Legislative sessions, and for the first day of Assembly.

  1. Participants must wear one item from each of the following Bottom and Top layer categories:

Bottom Layer

  • Pants must be dress slacks (including khakis) or suit pants, or corduroys.
    • No jeans, sweatpants or shorts
  • Skirts must be no shorter than 3″ above the knee and no longer than the top of the shoes. Open pleat, vent, slit, or buttoned opening skirts may not be open higher than mid-thigh.
  • Dresses worn alone must have sleeves. A sleeveless dress may be worn with a jacket, cardigan, or sweater if the jacket, cardigan, or sweater is worn at all times. (Acceptable as top and bottom layer)

Top Layer

  • Shirts may be dress shirts or nice sport shirts and must have a collar. Short-sleeved dress shirts are acceptable. No polos or shirts with a banded collar or no collar are not acceptable.
  • Sweaters, or turtlenecks.
  • Blouses. Short-sleeved blouses are acceptable
  • Dresses worn alone must have sleeves. A sleeveless dress may be worn with a jacket, cardigan, or sweater if the jacket, cardigan, or sweater is worn at all times. (Acceptable as top and bottom layer)
  1. Participants must wear one of each item in the following Outer layer list:

Outer Layer

  • Suit jacket, sport coat, sweater or cardigan (that covers shoulders).
  • Tie
  • Dress shoes or nice shoes. No athletic shoes, combat boots, work boots, sandals, or other similar shoes are allowed.

Additional Business Casual and Professional Dress Guidelines

  • No denim or camouflage at any time.
  • No golf or polo type shirts, t-shirts, tank tops or sweatshirts are allowed. Shirts must be tucked into the waistband at all times.
  • Clothing must cover the torso even when the arms are raised. Underwear must not show.
  • No cargo pants or other workpants are acceptable. No overalls are allowed.
  • Dress or nice casual shoes are required. No tennis or other athletic shoes, combat boots, Birkenstock or Birkenstock-type shoes, work boots, flip flops, sandals, or other similar shoes are allowed. Socks, knee-his, or trouser socks must be worn with pants.
  • Hats and other headwear may not be worn.

Casual Dress

  • Jeans, shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other casual clothing.
  • Clothing must not be printed with sexual references (direct or indirect), obscenities, or otherwise offensive subject matter.
  • Clothing advertising alcohol or tobacco products is not appropriate.
  • No indiscreet attire will be permitted.