SkillsUSA Dress Code

Required for all conferences and official SkillsUSA function attendees

This Dress Code applies to all Conference and official SkillsUSA function attendees. This includes advisors, high school students, college students, and observers. All members represent Alabama SkillsUSA, the Alabama Department of Education, and an emerging Alabama workforce.

  • SkillsUSA Supply Store
  • Official Clothing Chart
  • Official Attire
  • All advisors are responsible for student dress. Advisors must make every effort to model expected behavior and set the correct example of appropriate dress. Advisors must fully explain the information in this Dress Code before leaving home so that students will bring the appropriate attire to Conferences and SkillsUSA activities. It is the duty and responsibility of all Advisors to enforce this Dress Code. Visible body piercing other than ears is not appropriate at any time. The following defines Official Dress, Professional Dress, and Casual Dress.

WOMEN

  • Official Dress – SkillsUSA Dress Blazer, white collarless blouse, black skirt (knee-length or longer), or black slacks, clear hose, black shoes.
  • Contest Dress – As prescribed by the SkillsUSA Technical Standards for that contest unless altered by the contest committee. For district and state contests, contest patches are optional unless specified by the contest committee.
  • Professional Dress – Business-like attire includes dresses (appropriate length), skirts with blazers, professional pantsuits, dress shoes, and hosiery
  • Casual attire will be allowed at dances and during non-competitive “down-time” but must be appropriate. Women must dress in good taste at all times. Miniskirts, tank tops, short-shorts, mid-drift tops and t-shirts with suggestive words or pictures are examples of inappropriate dress.

MEN

  • Official Dress – Blazer, white shirt, black tie, black slacks, black socks, black or cordovan shoes
  • Contest Dress – As prescribed by the SkillsUSA Technical Standards for that contest unless altered by the contest committee. For district and state contests, contest patches are optional unless specified by the contest committee.
  • Professional Dress-Business-like attire includes dress shirt and tie with blazer (blazer optional), dress shoes, and socks
  • Casual attire will be allowed at dances and during non-competitive “down-time” but must be appropriate. Men must dress in good taste at all times. No t-shirts with suggestive words or pictures.

UNACCEPTABLE DRESS

Unacceptable dress includes, but may not be limited to, the following:

  • Visible foundation garments /underwear (This applies to both men and women)
  • Backless, see-through, spaghetti strap, strapless or low-cut blouses/tops/dresses
  • Extremely short /skirts/dresses
  • Skin-tight or revealing clothing
  • Tank tops
  • Midriff baring clothing
  • Clothing with suggestive, obscene or illegal substance promotion
  • Swimwear (away from immediate pool area)
  • Jeans that are torn, tattered, or with holes.

Note: In general, if it is not appropriate at your school, it is not acceptable for a SkillsUSA activity. We must think of Student Organizations as an extension of both the local school system or college and the Alabama Department of Education.

CLARIFICATION–Many women’s two-piece suits are currently designed so that they do not require a blouse. Therefore, this is acceptable. In addition, sling-back shoes, open-toe shoes, and sleeveless dresses are acceptable

FAILURE TO COMPLY

  • First offense will result in a warning
  • Repeated offense will result in disqualification of the individual student
  • Third offense will result in disqualification of the entire chapter
Note: Any person who is not dressed in Official Dress or Contest Dress according to the Dress Code above will not be allowed on the winners’ platform during the Awards Ceremony.

NOTE:
Dress requirements for specific contests may have updated information posted on the National and or State websites. Check for updates prior to any SkillsUSA event.
National website: www.skillsusa.org