Dress Code

Dress Code
This Dress Code supports and reflects a more modern tradition for this dining and dancing etiquette program.
Girls Attire for Regular Cotillion Evenings and Special Sessions:

Party dresses or dressy skirt ensembles (blouse and skirt), Dressy Jumpsuits, Dress Pant ensembles (suit, blouse and slacks) may be worn.

Dresses or skirts must cover the knee and remain in place while dancing. Slits must be no higher than the top of the knee at front, back or sides. If the length is too short, girls will be asked to wear a slip or change.

In the case of a layered dress with transparent overlay, the opaque underlay or lining must meet the dress length requirement in both the front and back. If the lining is too short under a sheer overlay, girls will be asked to wear a slip or change.
Pants and Jumpsuits must be formal in nature, tailored or palazzo pant styles are most appropriate for dressy events like Cotillion. Please make sure pants/jumpsuits are properly tailored for length to make sure girls are able to dance.

For dresses, jumpsuits and blouses all tops should meet the following requirements; Strap thickness is 1” or wider and cannot be transparent (adding 1” ribbon as straps is a popular alteration). No cutouts or sheer panels below the bra line or mid-back are allowed. If the bra is visible, a sweater or jacket must be worn. Strapless tops are not allowed even with a jacket or sweater. (Please see 8th Grade Founder’s Formal exception below)

Black or white gloves are required and available for purchase at each Cotillion evening.

Leather-soled or synthetic-soled dress shoes with a back or secure heel strap and flat to low heel are required. Heels must be no more than 2 1/2 inches high when measured from the back of the heel. Slides, mules, wedges, platform or synthetic or rubber-soled shoes that grip are not allowed at any time.
Stockings or tights are optional; leggings and short socks are not allowed.

Girls Attire for the Founder s Formal:

Formal Attire is required. The length of the dress, jumpsuit, skirt or pants should cover the knee and can go to ankle. Floor length attire makes dancing extremely difficult! Trains on any ensembles are not allowed.

FOUNDERS FORMAL GRADUATING 8th GRADERS ONLY are to wear solid white. All bottoms should be tea length or ankle length. Strapless top styles are allowed and must be modest and secure so as to not move during dancing.

Boys Attire for Regular Cotillion Evenings and Special Sessions:

Solid color dress slacks in Khaki, Navy, Black, or Dark Grey. No cargo pants or denim material.
Dress shirt in conservative solid colors, subtle stripes or checks allowed.
Jacket in Navy, Black, or Dark Grey. Jacket must be able to be buttoned. Ideally, suit jacket should have a pocket for pocket square, as they are given to boys at formal events.
Suits in Navy, Black, or Dark Grey.
Tie or bow tie in a conservative pattern must be worn and properly tied. Novelty ties and clip-on ties are not allowed. Ties should be worn in the traditional Windsor Knot Style.
Dark dress socks which go over the calf.
Black or Brown belts.
Black or Dark Brown Dress Shoes

Boys Attire for the Founders Formal:

The regular Cotillion dress code applies unless otherwise stated.

White dress shirts are required.

Navy, Black, or Dark Grey suits are required.
Black or Dark Brown shoes are required.

Dress code infractions will be handled as follows:

First incident: If minor, the dress code will be explained to the student and
parents may be notified via email. For larger infractions (very short dresses, transparent dresses, rubber soled shoes) the student may be asked to change before entering the ballroom.
Second incident: The student may be asked to change clothing before entering the ballroom. Parents will be notified.
Third incident: The student may be asked to withdraw from the program.