Federal Dress Codes Explained!

For a lot of applicants, one of the most challenging things about taking a new job is the stress that comes with adapting to a new environment.  When you’re not certain about what’s expected from you, simply deciding what clothes to wear every day can seem like a frustrating task!

If you feel like this describes you, or if you’ve ever found yourself laying half a dozen outfits on your bed the evening before an important job interview, don’t worry:  you’re not alone!  Understanding dress codes for different workplaces within the federal government can be almost as hard as cracking a top secret cipher.  This is particularly true for younger job seekers, who might have had limited exposure to a formal workplace, or recently separated service members, who in the past have only had to wear a uniform to work every day!

That’s why today, I’d like to review some of the more common dress codes used in the federal workplace.  Pay attention to the language used by HR technicians in your pre-hire communications, so you won’t have to worry about feeling out of place when you finally do get the chance to make that first impression.

“Business Attire” is, simply put, a suit.  The whole thing, with pants and a matching jacket, dress shirt and tie.  Guys, skip the clip-ons or bow ties until you actually have the job, and never wear short sleeve shirts under a jacket.  A lot of the time “business attire” is mistakenly called “formal”, although “formal wear” is technically a tuxedo.  DON’T WEAR A TUXEDO, okay?  Ladies, I’m no expert on your fashions but you should be able to find the equivalent by going to a store and asking for “professional” dress.  In general, unless someone in authority specifically tells you otherwise, you should always wear business attire for personal interviews and for your first day on the job.  Depending on where you work, you may get invited to after-hours social functions.  Business attire is fine for these, although if you work on Embassy Row in Washington, DC you may hear this called “national dress.”  Same difference.

“Business casual” is a step down from true business attire, and is generally a pair of dress pants combined with a collared shirt.  Most federal government workplaces have a business casual dress code for daily operations, although this varies widely across the country.  In the South, you might be able to get by with only a pair of cargo khakis and a knit golf shirt.  In Washington, DC, the typical business casual outfit is business attire, but without the coat and tie.  Most people inside the Beltway still keep the coat and tie handy, or at least in the trunk of their car, in case the formality of their meeting changes on short notice.

Last, don’t be confused when you hear the phrase “casual attire.”  It’s almost unfair to use this term, because you should never dress casually when coming to work.  I recommend sticking with business casual, particularly if you’re the “new guy” in the office.  Let a month or so pass before you let anyone see you wearing blue jeans on Fridays, no matter what everyone else is doing.  Also, save the t-shirts for the weekends and stick with your knit polos.  Remember that as an employee, your entire career is one big job search.  Once you’ve got your foot in the door, keep on presenting yourself as a sharp professional and focus your sights on the next challenge!