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What to do for an informal private club? Should you consider a dress code? If so how do you apply it?
An IPC is not an establishment, so dress codes more or less fall on the type of event you're hosting, and the atmosphere to you want to evoke. I advocate developing a base recommended dress guideline, much like an established private club, but make it 'suggested' rather than 'required.' This way, members know they aren't going to kicked out of an event if they don't dress the part, but they also know there is an expectation that they should dress better than t-shirts and flip-flops. Most people usually rise to the occasion. For your events that don't specify dress, the base guideline would cover it just fine.
The base dress guideline should be easy to conform to. An easy way create a base guideline is to create an exclusionary list of clothes that goes against your club's image. Overly casual clothes like t-shirts, baseball hats, and cargo shorts usually find their way on dress code "no-fly" lists for established clubs. If you plan outdoor activities, then you may want to recommend clothing that is appropriate. For example, if you plan a hike in the summer, you may want to suggest hiking boots or trail shoes along with an athletic t-short and shorts.
Make sure your base clothing guidelines are accessable to all members. Also, if you plan to throw cocktail parties, salons and similar gatherings, you may want to develop a dress guideline for those, too. Like your base clothing guidelines, make sure those are communicated to your club members too. Avoid being overly perscriptive. Part of the fun is allowing people to be creative.
If you have a professional club, a well-defined dress code would be a good idea. Clothing is a form or communication, and in a professional setting, dressing the part is essential. Although a dress code in a social or field -oriented club would optional, I still recommend it, but with plenty of leeway. For a hobby -oriented club, call for dressing guidelines only under special circumstances.
More resources on dress codes:
The Art Institutes, "Defining Dress Codes – What to Wear for Every Occasion"
City Club Los Angeles, "Dress Code"
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