State Department Updates FAM to Add Business Formal Dress Code Guidance

On April 2, 2026, the State Department modified its Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) to include a section titled "3 FAM 4116 Employee Dress." This section added new requirements around dress attire for both foreign service and civil service employees. It required "employees to maintain appropriate professional attire and appearance when engaging with foreign interlocutors on behalf of the United States." It also noted that this appropriate attire and appearance depended on various aspects: job duties, work environment, and the level of interaction with foreign partners. It explicitly noted that "business formal" dress is required for staff "participating in meetings or other official engagement with foreign interlocutors." According to the policy, supervisors will determine dress guidelines and an employee's failure to follow these guidelines "may result in appropriate administrative action consistent with agency policies and procedures." The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) criticized the Department for implementing the dress code without meaningful consultation and raised concerns about potential discriminatory application.