Dress code

A dress code is a set of rules concerning permissible clothing. Both the NCFCA and Stoa have dress codes for tournaments, and many local clubs do as well. In general, official NCFCA/Stoa dress codes do not apply to practice tournaments, but many practice tournaments adhere to them anyway.

NCFCA dress code
The NCFCA dress code is included in the official tournament rules:


 * "The spirit of the Dress Code is modesty and professionalism with the intent to glorify Christ. The goal is to minimize the focus on the body or outward appearance and maximize the focus on the development of ideas and communication skills. Competitors must be professional, clean and well groomed. The letter of the Dress Code is as follows:


 * a. Gentlemen: Gentlemen shall wear suits or sport coats with dress slacks, together with a tie.


 * b. Ladies: Modesty is the key and may include suits, dresses, and skirts with hemlines to the bottom of the knee. Tight-fitting/low-cut clothing is inappropriate. Midriff must remain covered when gesturing in speeches."

The NCFCA dress code contains several cosmetic differences from the Stoa dress code:


 * 1) First, the NCFCA dress code does not explicitly include provisions for competitors changing into more casual clothes between rounds. In the past, tournament directors did not object, but recently certain regions have banned changing into casual attire between rounds (particularly shoes.)
 * 2) Second, the NCFCA dress code does not explicitly state that competitors must be in competition dress for the awards ceremony. The official interpretation of the dress code, however, is that competitors remain competitors until the end of the awards ceremony; thus, students must still adhere to the dress code at the awards ceremony.

Students who do not adhere to the dress code may be disqualified.

Stoa dress code
The Stoa dress code technically extends only to NITOC, but most local Stoa organizations adhere to some version of it. It can be found on the Stoa national website:


 * "For the duration of the tournament students must remain clean, neat, and modest. If at any time a student changes into casual wear, this standard applies.


 * Competition: During competition, students must dress in professional business attire.


 * Gentlemen – suits; slacks and a sports coat, with a shirt and tie, and dress shoes.


 * Ladies – skirt or pant suits; slacks, skirts or dresses with jackets; all with nylons and professional dress shoes. Hemlines are to be at least to the knee.


 * Awards Ceremony: Students must attend the awards ceremony in full competition attire."