Do you remember the first Nevada Grand Assembly you attended and how impressed you
were with the
appearance of the Grand Officers? They all looked so beautiful "floating" across
the Grand
Assembly room floor. They had that certain "look" of pride and confidence.
NOW is your
opportunity to carry on this outstanding tradition .... and to be that example.
One of the benefits of Rainbow
is to help our members mature into beautiful, responsible young
women, prepared to meet challenges with dignity, grace and poise. The following
guidelines are
to help our members make appropriate choices, based on the activities they
will participate in. (revised 7/07)
REGULAR MEETING |
| ACCEPTABLE |
NOT ACCEPTABLE |
| Short dress, skirt and blouse or sweater, vests; dresses
of tea-length or high-low length. You may wear dark colors (black, brown,
burgundy, dark blue) for these occasions, observing the 50 percent rule
- no
more than 50 percent of your attire should be black/dark. You may wear
our blue or purple Nevada
Rainbow polo shirt, tucked in, with a khaki or denim skirt of appropriate
length and appropriate shoes – with nylons. |
Mini skirts, jeans, pants, split skirts; tank tops, bare midriff tops;
Grandie shifts (except during practice). Please check the tightness of
your skirt – if it clings to your body or you need to tug it down every
time you sit/stand or bow - - - try again! |
| Nylons of a color or shade appropriate to the outfit; tights provided
one's outfit is not head-to-toe black. Striped or patterned tights appropriate
to the outfit (2003 Grandie Leadership decision). |
Jet black hose, if it causes the outfit to be head-to-toe black. |
| Dress shoes appropriate to the outfit, including black. Open toed shoes
with strap on the back (heel) are ok. |
Tennis shoes, beach sandals, Birkenstock-style sandals or shoes,
boots with anklets. Ankle socks over nylons (1997 Leadership decision)
Strapless shoes are never acceptable because they always make that obnoxious
slapping noise when we walk! |
| Proper undergarments, pantyhose, slip. Thigh high, knee high stockings
are acceptable if they can not be seen at any time. |
Thigh high, knee high if visible, or ankle stockings; fish net stockings. |
MAKE UP: Moderate amounts of make up provide a finishing touch for all
women. Do not overdue!
Except at Grand Assembly, nail length, nail polish and nail decoration can be
worn. |
|
| JEWELRY: Again, moderation is always good. Don’t feel compelled to wear
every earring,
necklace or bracelet with every outfit. |
|
|
NOTE: While individuality is certainly encouraged, so too
is moderation. Girls are
encouraged to limit, for example, the number and colors of hair (i.e.,
striping, exaggerated
hair colors like green), the number of visible earrings, etc.).
LENGTH TEST
(1) Is the skirt as long as your finger tips when standing straight? It's long
enough!
(2) When bowing from the waist, are your undergarments visible, or do
you need to hold your skirt - or shirt - down in the back? If so, it's
too short!
(3) After you have dressed for a function, bow with your mother behind
you and in
front of you - if she gasps - go back to the closet and find something
a little longer
or that shows less chest! |
FORMAL MEETINGS
Examples: Installation, Initiation, Open meetings, Formal Escort, Receptions,
Eastern Star or Masonic functions when Rainbow Girls are being honored. |
| Floor length dresses, no more than one inch from the floor (with one's
shoes
on). |
Tea length or hi-low hem dresses. |
| Colors: Pastels, primary
colors, white or jewel colors, designs which contain black outlines,
eyes, noses, etc. are acceptable using discretion and moderation. |
All black* or fabrics which appear black from a distance.
Brown, burgundy, navy and other dark colors if these are the predominate
colors (watch
the velvets). *Supreme Assembly 1996 ruled no jurisdiction will allow all
black formal wear. The 50/50 (light/dark) rule does not apply to formal
wear. T-shirts, pullover casual shirts are not acceptable with formal
wear. |
Small crinoline slips. Gowns with hoop skirts with ankle-length pantaloons.
When wearing a hoop slip, make sure the hoop is not over extended and the
bones do not show
through the skirt fabric. Many hoop skirts are made with ruffles over the hoops;
you may want to
place a net overskirt on top of your hoop if the bones show. Be sure your slip
is clean - the
underside shows from the back every time you bow AND when you are sitting in
a bow station on
the floor! |
|
Pantaloons must always be worn under hoop skirts. Pantaloons need not
be expensive, fancy or
even cute. Pantaloons are ankle-length.
Pantaloons are undergarments! DO NOT arrive or leave a function wearing a t-shirt
and
pantaloons - that is tantamount to a t-shirt and your panties! A SHIFT with or
without
PANTALOONS is acceptable attire at these times. |
Pajama bottoms, jeans, sweat pants worn as pantaloons. |
Shoes: white or colored matching the dress; flats, heels, ballet slippers.
NOTE:
The Ballare Sketcher shoes (approved by your vote in 2008) are the ONLY appropriate
shoe for Grand Officers in long dresses. |
Black, brown or navy flats or heels; beach type sandals; tennis shoes;
thongs or shoes that “flap” when walking. Fuzzy slippers
are meant
for bedtime - not under formal dresses. |
| Proper undergarments of appropriate color, nylons. Knee-high nylons are
acceptable when worn with pantaloons. A long line-strapless bra is usually the
best
selection to wear under formal wear. |
Dark undergarments with light colored or white dresses. If you
need to pin your undergarments to your dress to keep them from showing,
either your dress or your undergarments need to change. |
| Make Up: at Grand Assembly, only extremely moderate, French Manicure
or natural nail color may be worn. |
|
| Jewelry: At Grand Assembly, ONE small set of earrings, no other pierced
body parts (which show), one ring per hand, no watch, no bracelets, and
typically, no necklaces may be worn. |
|
|
NOTE: Gowns must have sufficient number
or width of shoulder straps to provide adequate support for the bodice.
A single spaghetti strap (1/4") is not sufficient, whereas a combination
of three spaghetti straps on a single side probably is. Bodices with
one shoulder bare are acceptable, provided adequate bodice support is
available on the other shoulder. Low-cut bodices or ones that do not
fit close to the chest are unacceptable as they reveal way too much body
when we bow!
Grand
Officers will wear dresses with hoops at all official functions, except
her OWN Reception, at which time she may wear a “more adult” dress, provided
it is not
extremely tight, an inappropriate color, nor with a large slit. (1997 Leadership decision) |
GRAND OFFICER "PARAPHERNALIA"
Grand Officer Pins are worn on the left, above your heart; all other
pins are worn from a "brag"
rag/ribbon attached at the waist, right side. Wear your Grand Officer
pin with pride to EVERY
Rainbow meeting; check it occasionally to be sure the clasp functions
properly. The Grand Worthy Advisor
will have
something for you to put your Grand Officer pins on at Leadership. Grand
Officers have
determined it is appropriate for you to have only your Grand Officer
pin(s), your Proficiency Pin,
and the GWA pin if she selects one. Grand Cross Medallion: ensure the
ribbon is
clean, pressed, and in good repair. Do not place anything
on the ribbon other than the medallion. Wear your Grand Cross Medallion
at all Rainbow functions,
that is, meetings (formal or otherwise), Official Visits, receptions
in this or any jurisdiction, when
visiting a Lodge or Chapter meeting representing Rainbow. Do not take
your Grand Cross to
Camp. Tuck it inside your blouse when going to and from Rainbow meetings.
It should not be worn
to practices, fun activities, etc. |
PRACTICES |
| Jeans without holes. |
Tattered and torn jeans. |
| Blouse, t-shirt, sweatshirt. |
Tattered and torn items, t-shirts and sweatshirts with offensive
messages printed on them. |
| Shorts, provided they are golf or walking length; split skirts, walking
length |
Short shorts. |
| Tennis shoes, sandals, etc. |
Bare feet! |
FUN ACTIVITIES
Examples: Picnic, bowling, group shopping, craft party, etc. Note: When
attending a
social function representing Rainbow, the Mother Advisor will assist the girls
in determining
the appropriate style of dress, for example, a DeMolay Dance, serving at a
Masonic/Eastern Star dinner, etc. |
| See "regular Meeting" and "formal meeting" guidelines
depending on the
activity. |
|
| Jeans, shorts, etc., appropriate to the activity, weather, location. |
Tattered and torn clothing, short shorts. |
| Tennis shoes, sandals appropriate to the activity, weather, location. |
Bare feet except at the pool/beach. |
| Swim wear that is modest, not revealing or seductive. Two-piece swim
wear
may be worn provided it follows these guidelines. |
String bikinis, thong swim wear, t-shirt and shorts in the pool.
Please note: Nevada Rainbow adults will enforce swim wear guidelines - regardless
of
where the swimming activity occurs, provided it is at Rainbow function. |
ADULTS
Adults are encouraged to participate in these dress guidelines, serving
as examples to our younger members. Business or professional attire is
certainly appropriate, with the exception of solid black, pants or split
skirt outfits for women. Adult women, while prohibited by Supreme from
wearing solid black gowns, may use discretion in their formal attire.
Many beaded tops, for example, contain minimal black accents. Gentlemen
are encouraged to observe moderation in their dress. Jeans (other than dress/slack
jeans) should be reserved for "fun activities." Jackets
and ties should be worn
appropriate to the activity and weather. Docker-type slacks and Nevada
Rainbow Polo
shirts are acceptable for many Rainbow meetings.
When participating in Crowing Ceremonies, many Lodges request formal
attire. When
attending formal Rainbow meetings, suits, dress slacks with sweater,
jacket and tie, or
tuxedo are appropriate. |
TRAVELING WITHIN NEVADA
Often times, in Nevada we must travel long distances. When it is impractical
and
uncomfortable to travel in a short dress, casual attire appropriate to the weather
is
acceptable. Upon arrival at the Temple, travelers should proceed IMMEDIATELY
to the
restroom/dressing room, changing clothes quickly. Likewise, when preparing to
leave (after refreshments), travelers may change into their casual clothes IMMEDIATELY
before
leaving the Temple.
For safety reasons, changing at the Temple is preferable to changing in a gas
station
restroom, rest area or car. |
TRAVELING TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS
Nevada Rainbow members and adults are asked to observe the dress code of other
jurisdictions, including traveling attire, when visiting. For example, when attending
Grand Assembly in other jurisdictions, ladies may be asked to arrive at the hotel/registration location
in a short
dress. If you need guidance in this area, please contact the Supreme Inspector. |
Everyone likes to be associated with clean, neat, tidy, well-groomed, courteous,
caring and pleasant people. We “feel” better about ourselves and those around
us if our appearance indicates that we take pride in the way we look, act and
dress.
Wash your clothing (and yourself) OFTEN.... press your clothes before you wear
them... most of
our wrinkles won’t hang out on the way into an assembly room! Keep a needle and
thread handy
for those quick emergencies – and a couple safety pins.... just in case.
When questions about these "Clothing Guidelines" arise, members
should direct them to the Mother Advisor, Grand Deputy or Supreme Inspector.
In fairness to all, Nevada Assemblies will not adopt Clothing Guidelines or dress
codes more restrictive than these.
