Kappa Tau Dress Code Guidelines
Fall 2018

Business Professional

Women:

• Black skirt or pant suit, other neutral colors (dark gray, navy, brown) okay as long as top and bottom are matching 
• Skirts should hit at or below the top of the knee OR should be longer than fingertips
• Pressed, collared button-down shirt or dress shirt that coordinates with suit color
• Follow the five finger rule on chest – there should be at least five fingers length between your cleavage and the neckline
• Closed-toe dress shoes (pumps, flats, heels) – No platforms or >2.5 inch heels 
• Make-up should be minimal and conservative (daytime makeup) 
• No visible tattoos; use good judgment
• Hair should look presentable, keep it out of your face
• *Tip: Keep hair and jewelry simple (i.e. studs for earrings); remove all other jewelry and piercings (i.e. nose rings, etc.)

Men:

• Full suit with matching jacket and pants with belt that matches shoes 
• Pressed, collared shirt with plain (solid, stripe, or simple pattern) tie 
• Dark leather shined dress shoes and dark dress socks
• The bottom of the tie should just barely cover the entire belt buckle; a tie should never be too long or too short 
• No visible tattoos or piercings 
• *Tip: A three-piece suit is acceptable, but a suit with mismatched pants and jacket is not recommended. 

Business Casual

Women:

• Dress pants, skirt (at or below the top of the knee OR should be longer than fingertips), or dress okay 
• Shoulders must be covered – sweater or blazer 
• Fitted blouses and sweaters/cardigans, scarves okay 
• Closed-toe shoes (pumps/heels < 2.5 inches)
• Jeans, shorts, and capris are unacceptable 
• Avoid: *Blingy/shiny/lacey fabric, sequins, khaki, tight skirts or bodycon dresses, skirts shorter than knee length, low-cut and sleeveless blouses/dress, large jewelry, sandals, wedges, and heels > 2.5 inches.

Men:

• Pressed, collared shirt, tie optional
• Dress slacks, socks, belt, and shoes 
• Shirts should always be tucked in 
• Jeans, shorts, and capris are unacceptable 
• Closed-toe shoes
• *Tip: Business casual = business professional, with ONE of the articles substituted. (Ex: Full suit with a shell top for women or a full suit minus the jacket or the tie for men.)

Smart Casual
Note: Smart casual is often ill-defined and open to interpretation, so our standards for smart casual are for the purposes of our chapter. We define it as somewhere between informal and business casual.

Women:

• Can wear nice jeans or pants (in good shape, not your oldest/well-worn pair)
• Shorts if they are appropriate length and style – avoid tight fitting shorts
• Skirts if they are appropriate length and style (should be longer than fingertips) – avoid miniskirts, bodycon skirts
• Dresses are fine, same rules as skirts
• Leggings only with a top that covers your rear
• Freedom with tops, as long as they’re appropriate – use your best judgment
• No spaghetti straps
• T shirts ONLY if they’re DSP shirts
• Shoes – non-athletic sneakers are fine, wedges and sandals are fine
• NOT: athletic clothing & shoes, leggings with t shirts, halter tops

Men:

• Can wear nice jeans, khakis, or pants (in good shape, not your oldest/well-worn pair)
• Shorts if they are appropriate length and style – avoid tight fitting shorts
• Freedom with tops, as long as they’re appropriate – use your best judgment
• T shirts ONLY if they’re DSP shirts
• No bro tanks, even if they’re DSP
• Shoes – avoid wearing athletic shoes
• NOT: gym shorts, athletic clothing, sweatpants

When in doubt, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.