dress code

American  

noun

1. a set of rules specifying the garb or type of clothing to be worn by a group or by people under specific circumstances.

   a military dress code; The restaurant's dress code requires men to wear jackets and ties at dinner.

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dress code British  

noun

1. a set of rules or guidelines regarding the manner of dress acceptable in an office, restaurant, etc

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Example Sentences

"They will talk about her choices, her morality, her dress code," she says, explaining that this increases the harm caused to women and discourages victims from coming forward.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Robert Mueller, who ran the FBI from 2001 to 2013, was known to adhere to Hoover’s G-man dress code of white shirts and dark suits, admonishing agents who wore something more colorful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

It likely contains guidelines around dress code, and if your boss isn’t adhering to them, you can go to HR.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 28, 2026

The dress code was eclectic and appropriately L.A.: hyper-curated and nonchalant.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

“I didn’t know about the dress code either,” Bridge said.

From "Goodbye Stranger" by Rebecca Stead