You have one chance to make a first impression.  Until people get to know you, your appearance and attitude will be the first impression they have of you.  In District 5100 we want our students to present a poised, approachable, comfortable appearance.  Every time students appear at a Rotary event, they will meet new people.  Opportunities for visits to businesses, vacations with families, etc. are often made at these events.  Our standard dress is Business Casual.  If the event is held in the evening, Formal Business attire is not required.  You should dress up your Business Casual attire with a tie for men and conservative makeup and jewelry for women.  Airline travel to your exchange is considered a Business Casual attire event.  While on your exchange, please ask your host parents or Rotarians what type of attire is expected if you are not certain. 

 Your Audience

Who is your audience? People who influence your opportunities the most.  Your host and sponsor Rotarians, potential host families, other students and friends, etc. all provide the potential for great opportunities. 

You are dressing to achieve the following goals:

  • To be able to relate to others on their terms and make it easy for adults to talk to you.
  • To fit the perceived image of someone in your role as an outstanding exchange student.
  • If your attire causes people to look you over from head to toe in disbelief, you probably haven’t dressed properly. You also aren’t going to have as many opportunities presented to you. You should dress in a way that makes your hosts and sponsors feel most comfortable relating to you.
  • To get what YOU want, you have to give people what THEY want. And what they want, at least initially, is someone they can relate to or someone who fits the perceived image of the role of an outstanding exchange student.
  • Your appearance reflects your personal style in the context of the culture of your surroundings. What you wear says a lot about your attitude. So think about your family, your schoolmates, Rotarians, future employers, and your position when reaching into your closet, and if you do, you’ll always come out a winner.  If you pass that test, then people will go to the next level of learning more about you. If you don’t, the encounter stops there. In a lot of ways, it’s almost like dating: if someone catches your eye, you might want to know more about them if not, you pass on to another person.
  • When you are trying to figure out what to wear, think about with whom you’re going to interact that day, dress for your most important opportunity and remember that overdressing is never as embarrassing as underdressing.

Business Casual Attire

With suits and stuffy styles a rarity in the workplace, business casual attire is a widely welcomed and accepted form of dress.  U.S. standards for business dress vary across the country.  The Pacific Northwest is the leader in acceptance of business casual attire.  Many exchange country Rotarians will dress with more formality every day than what you are probably used to. 

Some tips:

  • Business Casual doesn’t mean you can let it all hang out. Items considered too casual include jeans, logo Ts, logo caps and athletic shoes.
  • For Rotary meetings and speeches, students should wear their Rotary Blazer. 
  • Change your shoes and accessories to go with business casual clothing.  
  • Use good posture when sitting, standing and talking with adults.  Smile and look people in the eye.  You are proud of your selection to this program, show it. 
  • Business casual does not mean you can wear baggy, wrinkled clothes or sneakers. 
  • No visible underwear.
  • Minimal, conservative makeup and jewelry is best.  If you have body art and facial piercing, remember, they are generally viewed as a negative thing in the business world and Rotarians are members of the business world.  Try not to display your tattoo if you have one.
  • People do look at your shoes.  Make certain they are clean and appropriate to the occasion. 
  • Always err on the conservative side with good grooming and clean, pressed clothing to present the image that you are proud to be a Rotary Exchange Student. 

Opportunity Killers

Unlike a fashion faux pas, an opportunity killer outfit can do your image permanent damage.

Looks to avoid at Rotary meetings and events:

  • Too sexy includes see-through lace, miniskirts, spaghetti straps, sheer sundresses, strappy stiletto heeled shoes, extreme makeup.
  • Too casual includes jeans, shorts, T-shirts, hats, sneakers.
  • Too sloppy includes wrinkled clothing, too many layers, baggy-fit clothing, trousers you step on.
  • Bare midriffs are an absolute no.
  • Constant gum chewing. 
  • Wild, avant-garde hairstyles. 
  • Muddy, scuffed or unpolished shoes.  No flip flops.
  • Earphones leading to your personal music player. 

Other Fashion Information you may be curious about but should not need

Formal Business Attire

For women this constitutes business suits (a matched skirt and jacket) and, pantsuits (matched pants and blazer). Closed-toe shoes (no sandals), blouses, hose and conservative hair, jewelry and makeup are expected.   For men this constitutes business suits (a matched pair of slacks and jacket), leather shoes and belt, button-down or tab collar single color shirt, tie, conservative hair, no earrings or makeup are expected. 

Black Tie means formal.  Men wear tuxedos, women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.  

White Tie or Ultra-Formal means men wear full dress, with white tie, vest, shirt.  Women wear long gowns. Black Tie Optional means you have the option of wearing a tuxedo, but it should clue you into the formality of the event, meaning a dark suit and tie would be your other option. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.