Formal Whites

I helped with the selection of the premier exhibitor award at the State Fair.  This was a new experience for me.  I know that the State Fair is a major event but has lost some of its luster due to many participants that don’t come anymore due to distance and expense.  The award committee consisted of myself, two FFA instructors and two State Ambassadors.  The instructors and I were in business casual attire and the state ambassadors were in their suits.

We spent the next 5 hours interviewing FFA and 4-H members who qualified for the award.  The FFA members interviewed well and consistently.  With the 4-H members there were much more variation in performance.  The worst interview was with a 4-h’er and the best interview was with a 4-h’er.

The FFA members didn’t stand out much to be honest; they seemed pretty cookie cutter, one after the other.  Their jacket and pants combinations were fine and good looking.  The 4-H’ers on the other hand came in traditional whites; white pants (denim) white shirt or blouse, green tie or scarf.  Another part of the tradition was large champion buckles on black belts.  For girls this black belt varied with medal studs, some colored or not.  Some of the boys do wear this also but it’s mainly the girls.  Of course the 4-H hat with its many pins and patches completed the outfit for 4-Her’s

Many of the 4-H members were disheveled and dressed inappropriately for an awards interview.  I think it a bad idea to ever wear denim to an interview.  While it may be appropriate for the show ring it is not for a formal interview.  The official line for 4-H is that there is no uniform but the tradition has been kept by many fairs which keeps the uniform an institution all by itself.

I would like to point out clearly that it is improper to come to an interview disheveled.  I would strongly encourage taking the time to brush off the whites, taking a sponge or cloth to the stains, and not to wear those buckles or belts.  While they may be fine parading around the fair, wear them proudly, it is not encouraged to wear during interviews.

Further I would say don’t go to an award interview in whites at all but instead wear interview specific clothing.  For example wear business casual appropriate dress attire.  If it must be in whites, do so in formal whites; white slacks, white dress shirt, Green Jacket, hat and tie for males.  For ladies, white dress, skirt, or slacks, white blouse or shirt, and of course hat and scarf.

Formal whites would go far to impress judges.  Interviewees have a very short time to make a favorable impression on judges in any venue.  It is suggested by many leaders and clubs to members to wear their whites to do presentations and other formal occasions.  During these instances then it would be suitable to wear formal whites to make the best showing for our members.