Dress for Success

Even though it may still be warm and sunny outside, Dallas ISD returns to business dress code on Sept. 1 to promote a professional atmosphere and maintain the positive image that employees present as representatives of the district. 

The district’s dress code policy is designed to help employees provide a consistent professional appearance to colleagues, students, parents, and the community. Employees should exemplify the highest standards of professional appearance.

To help guide employees in determining appropriate attire for the workplace, below are the business dress code guidelines outlined in DH(LOCAL) and DH(REGULATION).

Overview

• The dress code standards are meant to maintain an orderly educational environment and will not infringe on an individual’s culture, religious beliefs, or protected free speech.
• The dress and grooming of district employees shall be clean, neat, in a manner appropriate for their assignments, and in accordance with any additional standards established by their supervisors and approved by the Superintendent of Schools.
• Employees are expected to exemplify proper grooming standards and personal hygiene in a manner that projects a professional image for the employees and the district.
• Employees shall keep their hair and facial hair groomed neatly.
• Employees will not be allowed to display any jewelry, tattoos, brands, or similar artifacts that are either obscene, distracting, or may cause disruptions to the educational environment.

Acceptable Attire

• Clothing should be clean, pressed, and wrinkle-free.
• Attire should fit appropriately (not excessively tight or loose).
• Dress pants, dress shirts, and blouses are required.
• Professional dresses and skirts are required.
• Professional footwear is required at all times.
• Employees required to wear district-issued uniforms are expected to wear the assigned uniform.

Unacceptable Attire

Unacceptable attire includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Form-fitting, snug, sagging, or transparent clothing
• Excessively worn, faded, or tight clothing
• Clothing with holes or frayed areas
• Revealing or provocative attire
• Necklines that expose cleavage
• Dresses and skirts shorter than three inches above the bend of the knee
• Jeans, sweatpants, shorts, bib overalls, leggings, spandex, and lycra
• Tank tops, t-shirts, and shirts with inappropriate messages/graphics
• Athletic wear and beach wear
• Slippers, flip-flops, house shoes, sneakers, and athletic shoes
• Hats are not to be worn inside, unless used as protective wear appropriate for one’s job function.

Exception

• Administrators will have the discretion to make exceptions to appropriateness of attire as it relates to culture, religious beliefs, vocational courses, physical education, maintenance, medical necessities, events, and spirit days.
• The Superintendent of Schools may waive the dress code for district employees when school is not in session or based on seasonal weather conditions, special events, and the like.

Reference: DH(LOCAL) and DH(REGULATION)

For questions or comments, please contact Policy and Compliance at hcmcompliance@dallasisd.org.