State Department bureaucrats are resisting a formal dress code. Why do we have to tell them to dress like we want or need them there?
Dress like you’ve made someone of yourself. Even if you haven’t.
Authur Unknown
I’ve had two major professions, the Army and law enforcement. In each I’ve had a set uniform to wear, for duty and more formal occasions. Being an Army officer, I had to buy my own unforms (they gave me a one-time allowance of $300.00). But I knew what I got into, so that’s it. Law enforcement is similar, I’ve had to “self-fund” many expenses (e.g., weapons, ammunition) and it’s just part of the profession. That is what rubs me raw with this article about the Foggy Bottoms bureaucracy.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently issued a formal dress code for State Department staff. Reading this, it doesn’t require Adam David or Mohan’s Custom Taylors. It requires business formal dress for official settings, i.e., you are representing the United States.
Casual Is Out: State Department Adds First-Ever Business Formal Dress Code
The U.S. State Department has added business formal dress code guidance to its Foreign Affairs Manual for the first time, establishing department-wide standards for employee attire in official settings.
The update applies to civil service and foreign service employees and sets expectations for how diplomats and staff present themselves in official engagements.
“Representing the United States of America is an honor — and this new policy ensures our diplomats project credibility, respect, and the dignity of the nation we serve,” Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson told Fox News Digital.
The policy states: “Appropriate attire and appearance will depend on the duties performed, the work environment, and the level of interaction with foreign interlocutors and other external stakeholders. For staff participating in meetings or other official engagements with foreign interlocutors, dress is Business Formal and personal appearance is polished and professional unless otherwise specified.”
My only question. Why the hell does this need to be explained to supposed professions of the State Department staff? If you work IT in the basement and never see a foreign official, Dockers and pullover shirt are appropriate attire. If you interact with foreign office staff of other nations, you should know to present yourself as a professional.
A staffer coming in on the weekend to check something in the conference room wearing jeans and a t-shirt is fine. But Monday when you’re with the Deputy Secretary as he is greeting the ambassador of Upper Slovia, you should know to wear formal attire. To steal the quote from Joe Paterno, “Act like you’ve been there.”
Well, guess who doesn’t want to act like a professional? The union bosses for State Department employees. Asking highly paid professionals to dress and act like professionals in exchange for their jobs is too much.
American Foreign Service Association April 6, 2026
Washington, D.C. – The State Department has added a dress code to its Foreign Affairs Manual, which becomes the latest in a litany of changes reflecting its diminishing regard for the Foreign Service workforce…
…Loosely written dress mandates have a history of discriminatory application, disproportionately affecting women and underrepresented groups, often without any stated intent to do so. Consultation exists, in part, to catch exactly that before it becomes policy.
It’s also worth noting that America’s diplomats already navigate every conceivable combination of culture, climate, and social context — adapting their judgment, their communication, and yes, their appearance to the demands of the moment. A blanket dress standard doesn’t reflect that reality…
Translation, our women and minority members can handle anything, but getting a suit or dress on. We need to wear office casual (or worse). Is it just me, or this racist or sexist? Another reason to eliminate collective bargaining for federal employees (another issue for another post).
Let me explain to the children not wanting to pay for appropriate work clothing for their job. Tough! You accepted your position knowing the requirements, including attire. I don’t know if department staff get a clothing allowance, but even if they don’t, they are expected to present themselves in a professional manner. Dockers or Walmart dresses don’t count it.
The picture at the top shows then Press Secretary George Stephenopolis exactly two months into his job. That day was a disaster, he came out in a rumpled suit and unshaven. It was showing the Clinton administration as not ready for prime time. State Department bureaucrats, you must be ready for prime time every day. If you don’t want to, fine, resign. No one forced you into the job, McDonald’s is hirings (warning they do have a uniform requirement), no one will miss you.
Michael A. Thiac is a retired Army intelligence officer, with over 23 years experience, including serving in the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the Middle East. He is also a retired police patrol sergeant, with over 22 years’ service, and over ten year’s experience in field training of newly assigned officers. He has been published at The American Thinker, PoliceOne.com, and on his personal blog, A Cop’s Watch.
Opinions expressed are his alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of current or former employers.
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