Guidelines for White Dresses

Rationale

The wearing of white on formal occasions is a lovely Texas tradition.  It helps us to be more visible at parish and community functions, and it can be a wonderful addition to a formal activity such as a reception of new members or the institution of a new court.  However, the wearing of white is not mandatory at most events, and it is sometimes detrimental to recruitment and attendance at court functions.  Many women cannot afford to buy white dresses, and some feel uncomfortable in white.  We must ensure that all women know that what we wear is secondary to who we are. No one should feel that she could not attend a court function because she cannot wear white.

Required:

• Robes must be worn with white shoes.
• Members acting as color guards or banner bearers must wear white. The color guard also wears a red, white, and blue ribbon over the left shoulder.  Red is on the bottom.
• Members bringing up the gifts or acting as lectors or Eucharistic ministers at National Conventions wear white.
• State Chairmen and Past State Regents must wear white to participate in State Processions.
• Ceremonial coordinators and membership and extension chairmen wear white at receptions of new members and other ceremonies. (Page 4, Tools of the Trade)

Not Required But Suggested:

• Officers should wear white when being installed. (Exception—officers of a new court)
• State Officers, District Deputies, and Court Officers should wear white at the institutions of new courts, multi-district receptions of new members, and multi-district installations of officers.
• Officers/members should wear white when standing honor guard at a member's funeral.
• Members participating in wake/memorial services should wear white as a sign of respect and solidarity with our deceased members.

White is Not Required at the Following:

• District Meetings
• Workshops
• Corporate Communions
• Anniversaries
• Retreats
• Court Meetings
• Institutions of new courts

Note:   If your court/district is hosting an activity such as an anniversary or Corporate Communion, and you would like to wear white, please feel free to do so. However, the court should have the opportunity to vote on the issue.  Please inform your national, state, and local guests that you will be wearing white in the invitation and give them the opportunity to participate.  Wearing white will be your guests' choice