White House enforces strict dress code for tourists

CBS News ^ | 7/26/07

[Santa Fe_Conservative]

WASHINGTON New signs are posted around the White House indicating a new strict enforcement of the dress code, the Washington Post reported Thursday. The code applies to all visitors and staff members, including tourists.

Some tourists are finding the strict clothing restrictions at the White House un-American.

The forbidden items include jeans, sneakers, mini-skirts, t-shirts, tank tops and absolutely no flip flops.

The motivation for the clothing crack-down comes from the Bush Administration who think some of those who work there and those who visit just don't dress appropriately.

[chrisser]

My family was there for two days. We didn’t have time OR the resources to change into fancy clothes and then change back.

Just a thought, but I've heard there are long lines to get into the WH.

Perhaps by enforcing a dress code, the WH weeds out people who are just stopping by because they can squeeze it into their day along with a bunch of other attractions, in favor of those who actually want to see the WH for its own sake.

Think of it as tourist economics - increase the "cost" of entry, and demand for the attraction is reduced.

[Leatherneck_MT]

The White House can start showing a minimum of respect for those they SERVE.

They do not rule us and it’s time those jackasses came to that realization. Dressing up is for state dinners, not tourists.

[AlexW]

I agree with a dress code.
The White House and the capital are not Disneyland or the county fair, even though they are often defiled by the occupants, as in the stained blue dress and the normal day
of Reid and Paluzie.
American culture is going down the tubes, and it is why I may never return to live there. I can’t take too many gum chomping flip floppers.

I was very pleased to have had the opportunity to visit, along with my young daughter, both institutions back inthe mid 80s. It was humbling to be in both places.
I would advocate coat and tie, at least a jacket.

[ontap]

So you’re the thread nazi, if you don’t like the post just ignore it. I’ll state my opinion whether you like it or not.

[Lord_Baltar]

But, but, but, I thought the White House was the People’s House....

[Regulator]

Perhaps by enforcing a dress code, the WH weeds out people who are just stopping by because they can squeeze it into their day along with a bunch of other attractions, in favor of those who actually want to see the WH for its own sake

Or, they're just jerks.

Occam's razor and all that.

[jazusamo]

It’s a shame rules have to made to govern the dress of WH visitors but if people can’t dress appropriately when visiting this national treasure then I support those rules.

[Ray'sBeth]

I don’t think you have to go change into “fancy clothes.” I too was in Washington, D.C. walking around this summer and was frankly appalled at the way some people dressed as they went through the buildings.

We didn’t have on fancy clothes, or hells and nylons, but certainly would have fit this new dress code just fine. I don’t see anything wrong with this at all.

[Jeff Chandler]

I would advocate coat and tie, at least a jacket.

I , myself, would most certainly wear a business suit when visiting the White House (and I HATE wearing a suit), but all they are requiring is minimal office clothing.

[I see my hands]

"So you’re the thread nazi, if you don’t like the post just ignore it"

You sick BDSers like to act out unchallenged. I understand. Too bad for you.

[squarebarb]

Dressed up in heels and nylons wasn’t the question here.

But I suspect you know that.

It was people inappropriately dressed in very tight, clingy tops, showing lots of cleavage and fat around the middle, smacking flip-flops, low-rider jeans, mini-skirts up to the crotch, and tank tops.

I get so tired of looking at bulging fat bodies in all these that I could just scream.

At a recent visit to a state capitol I was amazed at what people wore.

One very fat woman had on the clingiest, thinnest strap top and skirt you could imagine. It was to throw up already. She was probably forty or over and about 200 lbs.

Then there were the guys with caps turned backwards or sideways, wife-beater tops, and crotches of their pants literally down to their knees so they had to walk sort of waddly. Also several inches of undershorts showing and neck jewely.

I suspect the White House staff were begging for some rules so that they didn’t have to look at that sh!t all day, it would be enough to make you skip your lunch.

[Lady Jag]

I only own sneakers and sandals.

Luckily it doesn’t say anything about bare feet.

[Lady Jag]

Great vacation attire.

[Paperdoll]

>I can understand employees obviously but tourists? Interesting.<

You know, hallowed halls, respect for American history, awe that you walk where so much was decided in the distant past, the meaning of the Star Spangled Banner, and all that stuff.

As Americans, we have lost our dignity. It shows in how we present ourselves. Lets clean up our act, revert to time honored decorum. At least while in the greatest house in America, for heaven’s sake.

[FreedomFromGov]

This is how it happens. First they tell us how to dress in the WH, then they tell us how to dress elsewhere. Slippery slope folks. Soon, they will tell us what to think, and we’ll all be wondering how it happened that we are all slaves to the new and improved King George. Can you say “stupid, unquestioning public”? People who back the WH’s decision on this are even stupider than I thought; one step closer to tyrrany. Wake the hell up, people.

[chrisser]

Or, they're just jerks.

A few years ago, I would have said that whatever is appropriate for Church on Sunday is appropriate for the WH.

However, seeing how some parents allow their children to dress, not to mention some of the adults themselves, I don't think that is a decent gauge of appropriateness anymore.

Its sad these things have to be codified, but I suppose there were probably a few too many bare-midriffed teenage girls wearing braless tops, dirty flip flops and "Juicy" written across the posterior of their miniskirt while visiting the WH with Mom dressed similarly, at least if visiting the local mall is any indicator.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

There are documented stories of President Andrew Jackson cheerfully welcoming frontiersmen and Indians in their everyday frontier clothing.

We elect a President from among our people.

The White House is not Buckingham Palace.

This is more evidence of an Imperial presidency far above mere mortals who must pay tribute (high taxes) and bow before the monarch.

[Politicalmom]

They have banned jeans and tennis shoes. That is typical tourist clothing, and appropriate for that activity.

[AlexW]

“First they tell us how to dress in the WH, then they tell us how to dress elsewhere”

Obviously you have never known social decorum.
Maybe you were married in a turnip patch, and never went to a church, and do not know flip from flop.

[ontap]

All this anger over a thread about the dress code at the Whitehouse and you call me sick. Get a life! I think maybe your the one who needs some anger management sessions.