FL House Dress Code Takes Aim At Womens' Bare Shoulders, Hemlines

TALLAHASSEE, FL — The Florida House of Representatives took a break from lawmaking to remind members of a few regulations on what they're allowed — and not allowed — to wear to work.

On Jan. 25, Rep. Anna Eskamani of Orlando shared a flyer she received at her office in Tallahassee.

Complete with photographs, the flyer helps legislators answer a crucial question: "When Should I Wear This To Work?"

So, according to this flyer, what attire is OK? It depends. If House members are not in the chamber, women can wear slacks or a nice sweater. A sleeveless sheath dress is also a possibility. Men, meanwhile, should don dress pants and a polo or button-up shirt.

If members are present, cover the shoulders, ladies. Both men and women must wear suits on the House floor.

The flyer goes on to detail what apparel is "NEVER work appropriate." This list mainly targets women's apparel, though men should not wear shoes with no socks.

As for women, members cannot wear low-cut shirts or dresses. Hemlines must never be shorter than one inch above the knee. No leggings as pants, and definitely no skirts with slits.

There are a few restrictions that are genderless: no jeans with holes, no T-shirts with writing and no graphic-printed suits.

The rules did leave out one specific item.

"Since ball gowns are not mentioned I guess we can still get away with those," Eskamani tweeted.

It's unclear who will enforce the dress code or whether it will be enforced at all.

"Perhaps there will be volunteers from the House to figure it out," the Miami Herald editorial board wrote Friday. "Walk around the Capitol on any day during session, and we’re pretty sure you’ll see a lot of members deeply interested in how short skirts are and the depth of V-necked blouses."

Florida isn't the first state to ask members to dress a certain way. Last month, the Missouri House of Representatives adopted a stricter dress code for women as part of a new rules package. Women are required to cover their shoulders at all times by wearing a blazer, cardigan or knit blazer, CNN reported.

The dress code for men wasn't altered, according to CNN.

The amendment passed in a voice vote and was later adopted by the GOP-controlled legislature in a 105-51 vote.