4-H Dress

Last week we celebrated National 4-H Week by completing community service projects and displaying our 4-H pride. From green t-shirts, hats, and more, youth have been displaying their love for 4-H around the community throughout the week. During this time we continue to welcome new and returning members. As we help new members choose their 4-H projects for the year and navigate our 4-H world, we wanted to take a moment to address a few frequently asked questions

4-H member Joseph Cooper Jr. wearing a 4-H corduroy jacket. These jackets are available for purchase through National 4-H Council or loaned through the Highlands County Extension Office.

about 4-H dress.

The Dress

“So what do I wear to 4-H events?” or “What is the official dress?” These are questions that we commonly get asked and there is no short answer. The 4-H program does not have an official dress code, but some states, counties, events, or even local fairs do. Highlands County 4-H does not require you to adhere to an official dress code when attending events. We only ask that you dress 4-H appropriate. This basically means that if you can’t wear it to school, then please don’t wear it to a meeting or event.

4-H Apparel

We do however, encourage you to wear 4-H apparel whenever you participate in 4-H community activities such as livestock shows, community service projects, fundraisers, and competitive events. This lets people know who you represent and that you are a part of our organization. Some clubs have 4-H t-shirts made with their club name on them, while others wear white button up shirts with the 4-H logo on the chest. The 4-H Mall has a wide selection of 4-H apparel and accessories to ensure that you are competition ready. These shirts pair well with jeans, khakis, or even black pants.

Check the Rules

Events that take place outside of Highlands County may require you to wear something specific. If you are not dressed appropriately, some shows and competitions will deduct points off your overall score. Check the guidelines for any competition or event that you plan to attend to see how you should dress. For example: If you are attending 4-H Legislature, you are expected to wear business apparel while you are in the Capitol. If you are competing in the local Highlands County Fair, their rulebook states that exhibitors must wear “white, green, dark blue, or dark black jeans or
slacks with a solid white collared long-sleeved shirt, which must be tucked in” and that 4-H or accessories are strongly recommended.

Need Assistance?

If you are having difficulty finding something to wear for an event, please call our office at 863-402-6540. Our office provides shirts for many different types of events and may have something for you to use. We even have 4-H corduroy jackets that can be checked out to wear for livestock shows or competitive events. We don’t want clothing to stand in the way of you and your 4-H success.