NATIONAL CONVENTION SQUARE DANCE DRESS CODE
Standard of dress and general appearance will always determine the privilege of dancers to enter and participate in the dance function (National Convention) and shall be consistent with the dignity of the event. It is the Dancer’s responsibility to comply with these regulations for themselves and their fellow dancers.
Full Square Dance Attire should be worn at all Evening Dance Sessions with the only exception being Special Programmed Dance Sessions or environmental conditions. Morning and Afternoon Sessions are at the discretion of the Convention Committee.
If a person’s dress is considered inappropriate, the committee may discuss this with the person concerned.

47.01 FULL SQUARE DANCE ATTIRE FOR MEN SHALL BE INTERPRETED AS FOLLOWS: –
47.011 SHIRTS – Shirts must be neat and tidy, have a collar, buttoned, long sleeve shirt, and tucked in complete with bolo tie, cravat or similar.
47.012 TROUSERS – Tailored trousers, slacks, or non-faded jeans/chinos shall be neat and tidy, Slashed, ripped or frayed clothing is not appropriate.
47.013 SHORTS – Dress shorts are permitted only in conjunction with long roll top socks.
47.014 FOOTWEAR – Clean shoes, dancing pumps or dress boots shall be worn and shall be of a type that will not mark or damage the floor.
47.015 HAT ETIQUETTE – The wearing of a hat is permitted when part of a demonstration or whilst on stage only.
Hats must be of western style unless specific to a themed performance. Venue restrictions take precedence over this point.

47.02 RELAXED SQUARE DANCE ATTIRE FOR MEN SHALL BE INTERPRETED AS FOLLOWS: –
47.021 SHIRTS – Shirts must have a collar and be neat, tidy, and tucked in. Must be Square Dance appropriate and NOT surf brands, T-Shirts, sleeveless shirts, singlets, football, and other sporting shirts, fluoro work shirts, shirts with large advertising/printing are unacceptable.
47.022 TROUSERS – Tailored trousers, slacks, or non-faded jeans/chinos shall be neat and tidy. Overalls and work wear, track pants are unacceptable.
47.023 SHORTS – Tailored shorts, drawstring shorts must be neat and tidy. Football shorts, sports shorts, board shorts, cut-off jeans are unacceptable.
47.024 SOCKS – Walk socks or sport socks permitted with shorts. Football socks or work socks are unacceptable.
47.025 FOOTWEAR – Walk shoes, sport shoes or regular dance pumps permitted. Work boots, sandals, thongs, spiked shoes, desert boots and bare feet are unacceptable.
47.026 HAT ETIQUETTE – The wearing of a hat is permitted when part of a demonstration or whilst on stage only. Hats must be of Western Style unless specific to a themed performance. Venue restrictions take precedence over this point.

47.03 FULL SQUARE DANCE ATTIRE FOR LADIES SHALL BE INTERPRETED AS FOLLOWS: –
47.031 DRESS / SKIRTS – the wearing of a full-type Square Dance dress or skirt and blouse. Full backless-type, bare back or bare midriff dresses or blouses are not acceptable. Prairie style skirts are an acceptable alternative at all sessions.
47.032 PETTICOATS – American style petticoat with suitable discreet underwear. Remember, you may not see what you have on (or do not have on) under your petticoat, but the spectators and dancers sitting on the sidelines will be very knowledgeable about your underpinnings, or lack of them.
47.033 SHOES – Clean, low-heeled, or flat-heeled shoes or jiffies of a type that will not mark or damage the floor shall be worn. Spike or small type heels are banned (heels must be a minimum 25 mm long in all dimensions in contact with the floor surface).
47.034 ACCESSORIES – Dress and jewellery must be such that they will not damage other Dancers or their clothing this includes badges and ribbons.

47.04 RELAXED SQUARE DANCE ATTIRE FOR LADIES SHALL BE INTERPRETED AS FOLLOWS: –
47.041 DRESS / SKIRTS – the wearing of a full-type Square Dance dress or skirt and blouse. Full backless-type, bare back or bare midriff dresses or blouses are not acceptable. Prairie style skirts are an acceptable alternative at all sessions.
47.042 PETTICOATS – American style petticoat with suitable discreet underwear. Remember, you may not see what you have on (or do not have on) under your petticoat, but the spectators and dancers sitting on the sidelines will be very knowledgeable about your underpinnings, or lack of them.
47.043 SHIRTS – Shirts or blouses must be modest and be tucked in unless fitted or intended to be worn outside the trousers/shorts. Tank tops, T-shirts or sun tops are not acceptable.
47.044 BOTTOMS – Acceptable options include Skirts, Shorts, Tailored Slacks, Culottes. Brief skirts and shorts are not acceptable.
47.045 SHOES – Walk shoes, sport shoes, clean, low-heeled, or flat-heeled shoes or jiffies of a type that will not mark or damage the floor shall be worn. Spike or small type heels are banned (heels must be a minimum 25 mm long in all dimensions in contact with the floor surface). Work boots, sandals, thongs, desert boots and bare feet are unacceptable.
47.046 ACCESSORIES – Dress and jewellery must be such that they will not damage other Dancers or their clothing. This includes badges and ribbons.

47.05 ALL DELEGATES
All Delegates shall at all times wear their Convention Ribbon, and Name Badge of some form.

47.06 DANCERS WHO REGULARLY DANCE IN THE LEFT/RIGHT-HAND DANCER POSITION
Ladies dancing in the left-hand position (usually referred to as the man’s position) should be welcomed without discrimination. Such ladies may adopt either the ladies attire with the addition of a coloured material sash or, if they exclusively dance in the left-hand position, the attire set out in the dress regulations for Men and those who regularly dance in the right-hand dancer position are to follow the dress regulations for Ladies.

As at Feb 2022