Tennessee 4-H Congress: What to Wear

Knowing what to wear for State 4-H Congress can be a challenge... especially if this is your ﬁrst time to the event. Keep in mind you are representing your county as well as the 4-H program. You will be interacting with state officials, legislators, 4-H donors and others. It is better to be "over-dressed” than “under-dressed." The most important and most basic guideline is that your general appearance should be neat and clean. To help you plan, use the following dress code.

	Official Congress Dress	Causual Dress	Semi-formal Dress
Gentlemen	Ofﬁcial 4-H Congress sweaters with a collared shirt (button-up). Ties are required. Dress slacks. Socks to match dress slacks. Black or brown dress shoes. NO athletic shoes, ﬂip-ﬂops or crock-type footwear.	Jeans, khakis, t-shirts, athletic shoes, ﬂip-ﬂops and crock-type foorwear. NO cut-offs or worn jeans with holes.	Slacks with a jacket, shirt, tie, and black or brown dress shoes.
Ladies	Ofﬁcial 4-H Congress sweaters with a collared shirt or turtleneck. Skirts or dress slacks. ( NOTE: All skirts must be no shorter than ﬁngertip length). Dress shoes. NO athletic shoes,ﬂip-ﬂops or crock-type footwear.	Jeans, khakis, t-shirts, athletic shoes, ﬂip ﬂops and crock-type foorwear. Shorts are permitted, but must be no shorter than ﬁngertip length. NO cut-offs or worn jeans with holes.	Dresses** from knee to ﬂoor length or pants suits appropriate for a prom or similar dress up activity.
Specific events at which this dress is appropriate	Assemblies Know Your Government Meals Representative Meetings Project Competition	Registration General Jackson Inaugural Ball Check-out	Citizenship Banquet

The following items are not appropriate at State 4-H Congress:

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Tube tops
Halter tops
One-shoulder tops
Strapless tops
Casual tops with spaghetti straps
Camisoles
Clothing that exposes the midriff, navel, back or cleavage
See-through clothing
Muscle shirts

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Clothing that advertises alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or drugs
Clothing that has vulgar, obscene or offensive messages or images
Pajamas/sleepwear or outfits with visible undergarments are not to be worn outside your room

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Cut-offs, ripped jeans or other clothing with holes
Bare feet are not appropriate at any activity
Dress and appearance should not present health or safety hazards or cause disruption
No hats are to be worn of any kind (This pertains to both ladies and gentlemen)

*	For security purposes, neckwallets are to worn AROUND THE NECK at all times. However, they may be carried in a pocket or purse to the Citizenship Banquet and Inaugural Ball.
*	Tennessee state 4-H staff, Extension personnel and adult volunteer leaders may ask any individual to modify their clothing selection if the Congress dress code is not met.

**	Special Note for Semi-formal Dresses: Party and prom dresses may be strapless, but must be appropriate. However, backless, low-cut (front or back) ensembles or those that expose the midriff or navel are not appropriate.