Dress code facts for kids

Male Western dress code

A dress code is a rule about what people should wear. Many times these rules are obvious: they do not need to be written. For example, when walking around a city or going to work one needs to have appropriate clothes. These can change depending on different countries and cultures. At other times a dress code can be a written rule: this can happen for important events. Some private places might also have a dress code that people need to follow to be allowed in. Examples are churches and nightclubs.

The way a person chooses his clothes can be very important in a social environment. Different types of clothes can give an idea of how much money a person has, what religion he follows, marital status etc.

Western dress codes

In the Western world, there are the following dress codes for important events. These can include, for example, State dinners (when important people of different countries meet over dinner), weddings or the Nobel Prize ceremony.

Ceremonial dress or Court dress: this depends on the country and occasion
Formal or White tie. Men have a black suit, a white shirt and a white bow tie. Women have a long dress; they can't wear trousers.
Semi-formal or Black tie. It is similar to white tie, but the suit is a bit different and the bow tie needs to be black.
Informal or Business attire. Men have a simple suit with a shirt of any colour and a tie. Women can wear a short dress or even a business suit if they like.

Images for kids

Alim Khan's bemedalled robe communicates a social message
A placard informs tourists about the minimum clothing standards for entering St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican
Poster in Qatar calling on foreign women to dress modestly
Emperor Chien Lung; by George S. Stuart
Formal attire for the Emperor and Empress of the Ming Dynasty
Mannequins with traditional Muslim veil at a Saturday market in Tira, Israel.
Dress code for a private club in Soho, London