Professional appearance is an important aspect of the overall preparation of DECA Members for the business world. To that end, DECA supports a dress code for its career-based functions that exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism while being non-discriminatory between males and females. DECA’s Board of Directors has developed the following official dress standards. Students, Advisors, and Chaperones must follow the dress code. Please see below for additional details:

• Participants will be dressed in appropriate professional attire suitable to each occasion.

• A DECA blazer worn with neat, business attire is appropriate for any occasion; however, a DECA blazer is NOT required for district or state. It is required at ICDC.

• Any exceptions to the dress code, for conference activities (e.g., Management Institutes, off-site programs, dinner) will be described in detail by your Advisor.

• This is a professional business organization and all members are expected to act accordingly at all times. Part of acting professionally is dressing professionally.

• If you are arriving at the conference on the same day of travel, please wear appropriate attire to the location for meet-up prior to departure.

Yes, please read about the colors to catch up.

Yes, there are three and a half…. I say that there are three and a half because DECA Professional/Official have different requirements at different levels. They are:

1) Professional/DECA Official

2) Business Casual

3) Smart Casual

4) School Dress Casual

Ladies must wear an official DECA blazer, dress slacks, (silk suggested) scarf, dress blouse, and dress shoes. For a more polished, professional appearance, it is recommended that attendees wear appropriate hosiery or dress socks with dress shoes.

Please keep the following in mind:

• Select dress shoes (pumps, heels, flats) with a closed-toe that do not have a heel higher than 2”. They should be comfortable enough to walk long distances. You will only be allowed to remove your shoes in your room.

• The DECA Scarf is a popular accessory and there are multiple colors and styles. If you have an “open” blouse that doesn’t button to the top, you need this accessory.

• Dark-colored dress pants like black, navy, and grey look more professional.

• White blouses are preferred.

• Your jewelry should not be distracting.

• Hose or tights must be free from runs and cannot have a pattern, graphics, or design. They should match your skin tone or your pants.

• Please do not forget that you need to be wrinkle-free.

Gentlemen must be in an official DECA blazer, dress slacks, collared dress shirt, dress socks, and dress shoes. They are also required to wear a necktie, ascot, and/or vest.

Please keep the following in mind:

• Select dress shoes that are comfortable enough to walk long distances. You will only be allowed to remove your shoes in your room.

• The DECA tie is a popular accessory and there are multiple colors and styles. If you decide against a DECA tie, pick one in a light color solid or one without a distracting pattern in a coordinating color.

• Dark-colored dress pants like black, navy, and grey look more professional.

• White dress shirts always look best.

• Any jewelry should not be distracting.

• Please do not forget that you need to be wrinkle-free.

Ladies must wear a blazer or official DECA blazer with dress slacks and a dress blouse. For a more polished, professional appearance, it is recommended that attendees wear appropriate hosiery or dress socks with dress shoes.

Please keep the following in mind:

• Select dress shoes (pumps, heels, flats) with a closed-toe that do not have a heel higher than 2”. They should be comfortable enough to walk long distances. You will only be allowed to remove your shoes in your room.

• The DECA Scarf is a popular accessory and there are multiple colors and styles. If you have an “open” blouse that doesn’t button to the top, you need this accessory.

• Dark-colored dress pants like black, navy, and grey look more professional.

• White blouses are preferred.

• Your jewelry should not be distracting.

• Hose or tights must be free from runs and cannot have a pattern, graphics, or design. They should match your skin tone or your pants.

• Please do not forget that you need to be wrinkle-free.

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

Please keep the following in mind:

• Select dress shoes that are comfortable enough to walk long distances. You will only be allowed to remove your shoes in your room.

• The DECA tie is a popular accessory and there are multiple colors and styles. If you decide against a DECA tie, pick one in a light color solid or one without a distracting pattern in a coordinating color.

• Dark-colored dress pants like black, navy, and grey look more professional.

• White dress shirts always look best.

• Any jewelry should not be distracting.

• Please do not forget that you need to be wrinkle-free.

Dress button-down blouse, dress sweater, dress sweater set, or dress polo with dress slacks and dress shoes.

Your look still needs to be professional and pulled together although you are given additional freedom to show your personality and style.

Please keep the following in mind:

• Select shoes (pumps, heels, flats) with a closed-toe that do not have a heel higher than 2”. They should be comfortable enough to walk long distances. You will only be allowed to remove your shoes in your room.

• NO ATHLETIC SHOES.

• NO JEANS.

• The DECA Scarf is a popular accessory and there are multiple colors and styles. If you have an “open” blouse that doesn’t button to the top, you need this accessory.

• Dark-colored dress pants like black, navy, and grey look more professional; however, since it is more casual you can wear khaki as well.

• White blouses are preferred for more formal events; however, you can wear any coordinating solid color.

• Your jewelry should not be distracting.

• Hose or tights must be free from runs and cannot have a pattern, graphics, or design. They should match your skin tone or your pants.

• Please do not forget that you need to be wrinkle-free.

Collared shirt, slacks or khakis, and dress shoes.

Your look still needs to be professional and pulled together although you are given additional freedom to show your personality and style.

Please keep the following in mind:

• Select dress shoes that are comfortable enough to walk long distances. You will only be allowed to remove your shoes in your room.

• The DECA polos and shirts are perfect for business casual.

• Dark-colored dress pants like black, navy, and grey look more professional; however, you have the freedom to be more casual and wear khakis.

• You can wear any color dress shirt, but stay away from patterns.

• Any jewelry should not be distracting.

• Please do not forget that you need to be wrinkle-free.

You must follow all school dress code guidelines at all times. Your appearance must be neat, clean, and professional. Please be mindful of the prohibited items as they still apply with the following exceptions. You are allowed to wear the items below:

• Business suit or sport coat or blazer

• Dress slacks, dress skirt, or business dress

• Collared dress shirt, dress blouse, or dress sweater

• Blazer optional

• Casual shoes

• Jeans that are free from rips, holes, tears, and worn at the waist

You must follow all school dress code guidelines at all times. Your appearance must be neat, clean, and professional. Please be mindful of the prohibited items as they still apply with the following exceptions. You are allowed to wear the items below:

• Chapter t-shirt

• Jeans that are free from rips, holes, tears, and worn at the waist

• Athletic shoes that are clean

When in ICDC or Texas DECA Professional CDC dress, you should do the following:

With the DECA Blazer or other Navy Blazer (DECA blazers are required at ICDC) wear:

• Beige/Khaki slacks with brown belt (if applicable) and brown dress shoes, or

• Gray slacks with black belt (if applicable) and black dress shoes

With a Black Blazer wear:

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

Your event ID with lanyard and photo identification and CONFIDENCE!

The items below are prohibited unless stated otherwise.

• Athletic clothing

• Athletic shoes

• Bare midriff

• Boat shoes

• Boots - hiking, work, army, combat, thigh high, over the knee, riding, Ugg-Style, biker, Wellington, mukluk, gladiator, and riding boots (dress cowboy boots are okay except at ICDC)

• Capris

• Cargo pants

• Carpenter pants

• Casual or baggy tops or pants

• Clothing with printing/pictures that are suggestive, obscene, or promotes substances such as drugs and alcohol

• Collarless, sleeveless, golf shirts, polo-style shirts, or bare midriff shirts

• Denim

• Dresses

• Flannel shirts

• Flip-flops

• Hats and headwear

• Hose or tights with graphics, a design, or a runner

• Jeans or jeggings

• Leggings

• Open-toed shoes

• Sandals

• Shorts

• Skin-tight or revealing attire (including bare midriff, exposed shoulders, and anything backless)

• Skirts

• Skorts

• Slingback shoes or anything with an open heel

• Sneakers, Sperry/Topsider/Boat Shoes, canvas shoes (espadrilles or Tom’s-style shoes), moccasins, or sandals

• Spaghetti straps

• String or bolo ties

• Sunglasses

• Sweats or athletic clothing

• Sweaters that are casual or baggy

• Swimwear

• T-shirts

• Tank tops

• Tops with low cut fronts, open sides, open backs, see through, tube, halter, strapless, sleeveless, off-the- shoulder or midriff tops

• Winter/outdoor wear (i.e. Outdoor leather, denim, jean jackets or coats)

• Any other items deemed inappropriate or unprofessional by an employee or representative of the facility, venue, DECA, or FISD will potentially cause you to be disqualified.

You should always check with one of your Senior Chapter Officers or Advisor first. You will usually have an opportunity to purchase items at CDC and you can always go to the DECA Shop!

No, DECA made the difficult decision to stop allowing people to wear them in 2021 due to the high number of dress code infractions.

A good rule of thumb is that if you are questioning it yourself, it is questionable. If you would like someone to review it for you, speak with your Advisor. If the item is available for sale online, you can send him the link for review.

If you would like a religious or cultural accommodation, you must submit it one month in advance via email to your Advisor so that it can be reviewed by DECA prior to the event.