How To Dress Your DECA Best

A professional appearance is an important aspect to the business world. For this reason, DECA advocates a business professional dress code when competing.

Here are the guidelines for both males and females when appearing before a judge and on stage.

Males

• DECA blazer or similar sports coat/ blazer
• Collared dress shirt
• Neck tie
• Dress slacks
• Dress shoes
• Dress socks

Females:

• DECA blazer or business suit
• Dress slacks
• Dress blouse
• Dress shoes

Unacceptable clothing:

• Swimwear
• Athletic wear
• Midriff-baring clothing
• Skin-tight or revealing clothing
• Clothing with inappropriate graphics

It is important to match your colors when dressing up. Here are some suggestions regarding colors.

With the DECA Blazer or other Navy Blazer

• Beige/Khaki slacks with brown belt (if applicable) and brown dress shoes
• Gray slacks with black belt (if applicable) and black dress shoes

With a Black Blazer

• Black slacks, preferably the same shade, with black belt (if applicable) and black dress shoes

Here are some additional tips:

• Make sure your collar looks good
• Don’t wait last minute to tie your tie
• Don’t wear excessive jewelry or accessories
• Go easy on the cologne/perfume
• Remove facial and body piercings
• Keep your hair clean and fresh
• Your belt and shoes should match
• Typically, your arms should be covered up to the wrist
• Keep makeup moderate
• Avoid ankle socks

By following all of these tips and using some common sense, you should be dressed for success!

BY OLIVER SHI

Related Resources:

Texas DECA Dress Code Policy

See the Texas DECA Dress Code Policy below or click the button to download.

Official Dress Code

When appearing on stage, as a voting delegate, or in front of a judge, Texas DECA’s Official Dress Code is required.

Texas DECA Official Dress Code Females must wear dress slacks with a dress shirt, an official DECA blazer or blazer, and dress shoes.

Accommodations for religious or cultural reasons will be taken under consideration on a conference by conference basis. The student’s advisor must submit an accommodation request on or before the published advanced notice deadline for the conference. Advisors who receive a student accommodation approval will be give detailed compliance guidelines they must adhere to.

Males must be in a suit, official DECA blazer or sport coat with dress slacks, collared dress shirt, necktie, dress shoes and dress socks.

Business Casual for gentlemen means a collared shirt and dress slacks / khakis. For ladies, it includes slacks and a dress polo or button-down blouse. No baseball caps/fashionable headwear, sweats/athletic gear, jeans, carpenter pants, shorts, excessively tight/revealing clothing, or flipflops may be worn.

Casual attire should follow school dress code. Jeans are acceptable. No strapless, backless or spaghetti straps. Appropriate shoes must be worn.

What to wear for each session or event during the State Career Development Conference:

Opening Session: All members attending the Opening Session are recommended to follow Texas DECA’s Official Dress Code. Students receiving an award or recognition on stage are required to be in Texas DECA’s Official Dress Code. The minimum attire expectation for all attendees is business casual.

Exhibit Area: The minimum attire expectation for all attendees is business casual.

Competitive Event Area: All members are required to be in Texas DECA’s Official Dress Code.

Election Session and Business Meeting: Voting delegates are required to be in Texas DECA’s Official Dress Code. Business casual is recommended for all other attendees. School-appropriate casual attire is acceptable. No strapless, backless or spaghetti straps.

Entertainment: School-appropriate casual attire is acceptable. No strapless, backless or spaghetti straps.

Grand Awards Session: All members are required to be in Texas DECA’s Official Dress Code. If you are out of dress code, you will not be allowed on stage to accept your award.

VIOLATIONS WILL BE HANDLED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Student will appear before Board Member for dress code review.
2. If violation occurs, student will be asked to change clothing to adhere to dress code rules.
3. Student can return to compete in the allotted time remaining in their event or return to the function in which they are attending.

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