dress code

This term describes a regulatory framework for appearance, often carrying a connotation of social or professional expectation. It ranges from highly restrictive, such as formal black tie, to permissive, such as casual. The phrase is typically used in administrative or organizational contexts to establish boundaries of propriety and professionalism.

Because it refers to a specific set of guidelines, it is treated as a countable noun. One might encounter a single dress code at a workplace or multiple different dress codes across various events in a social calendar.