Washington, Nov 30: Concerned that sartorial scofflaws may be sullying the "professional image" of the United States, the US State Department has introduced a diplomatic dress code, according to an internal memorandum.
Although diplomats are not often associated with the kind of outerwear favored by Madonna or Britney Spears, the memo bars US envoys and their charges from sporting midriff-baring clothing, halter tops and plastic sandals at work.

And, while the rules do not mandate morning coats, striped trousers or top hats, they do remind members of the US Foreign Service that clothes still make the man (or woman) in the halls of diplomacy.

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"As the leading US foreign affairs agency, the Department of State is in the front line of customer service to the public at home and abroad," says the directive, entitled "Department of State Guidelines on Appropriate Dress."

"This mission requires that our employees project competence and professionalism," according to the guidelines, which were issued on November 26 and provided to a news agency by a habitually well-dressed US diplomat.

"Therefore, the appearance of employees should also be professional, in a way that conveys respect for colleagues, customers and the work environment, and not pose a safety or health hazard or distraction from work," it says.

The memo does not detail what types of clothing are permissible -- other than "neat and businesslike" -- but specifically forbids "casual wear, such as flip-flops and halter tops/bare midriffs," which are deemed "not acceptable."

The directive, from the department's human resources bureau, goes on to say that supervisors and managers should "counsel" those employees whose clothing, hygiene or grooming are considered inappropriate or disruptive.

It was not clear whether the dress code was implemented in response to complaints about the appearance of certain diplomats or whether it was intended to forestall potential laxness in their choice of apparel.

However, the memo stressed that the new guidelines were not intended to discriminate against any faith, culture or ethnic background and noted that they had been cleared with the unions that represent State Department workers.

"The department welcomes the cultural diversity of its workforce and seeks to maintain freedom for personal expression without sacrificing the professional image essential to the performance of its mission," it said. Bureau Report