As with past years, we will be strongly enforcing a semi-formal dress/semi-formal costume code for NYE. We know there are a lot of questions and we hope the information below will help you. If you have additional concerns or want to ask a staff member prior to NYE if your outfit will fit the rules, please contact us.
Please note: By registering online or at the door, you are agreeing to follow the dress code guidelines. If you are denied admittance into the dance for not meeting dress code, your registration fee will be refunded. NDK will not reimburse any additional costs you may have incurred to attend this event.
All final dress code decisions are at the sole discretion of the NDK NYE staff.
Never appropriate
You will be turned away at the door if you wear the following: rave pants, denim, cargo pants, khaki, shorts, fishnet stockings, visible garters/lace stocking tops, torn/tattered/crumpled/bloody clothing, street clothes, and dresses shorter than cocktail length (no more than two inches above the knee, no matter the style). No throwing glitter at anyone please!
Minimum Dress
If you don’t plan on wearing a semi-formal costume, the minimum requirements are as follow:
No t-shirts, rave pants, beach dresses, swimsuit covers, lingerie/nightgowns (this includes visible garters and lace stocking tops) or anything see-through. Clothing CANNOT be made with jersey or sweater or T-shirt material. See below for specific guidelines on slits, dress styles, and dress length.
You must have all required elements of a style defined below to enter the dance. Please follow the requirements for the style(s) of your choice:
Outfit Style One
- Long-sleeve, button-up business/dress shirt*
- AND
- Tie –or– Bowtie is required
- AND
- Sports coat –or– a Suit Jacket –or– a Vest
- AND
- Trousers or slacks or skirt**
* If the button-up shirt has a mandarin-style or banded collar, a tie is not required.
Outfit Style Two
- A nice dress**
- OR
- A dressy top/blouse
- AND
- Trousers or slacks or skirt**
** The dress/skirt must be at least cocktail length: no more than two inches above the knee, no matter the style. If you have to tug it down, it’s not long enough.
For Cosplay
How would your character look if they were going to a prom, wedding, or a part of royal court? Your costumes still need to meet the minimum guidelines above, and the regular NDK Costume/Clothing Rules also apply.
There’s a lot of room for creativity here. We encourage unique interpretations of a formal spin on your favorite characters. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Specific Guidelines
These are taken from answered Dress Code questions we have received over the years. Have a question not answered here? Please let us know!
Dress length
Floor length is desired, but knee length to cocktail length (no more than two inches above the knee, no matter the style) is also acceptable. Your dress may be up to 3 inches above the knee if you wear completely opaque tights, and the rest of the dress/outfit is up to dress code.
Dress Style
Dresses must be formal in nature. No sweater dresses, club dresses, sun dresses, or lingerie-style dresses allowed.
Dresses with slits
If your dress has a slit, it may not go higher than 3 inches above the knee, and cannot display visible garters or stocking tops. If you have to hold it shut or tug it down, it does not meet the dress code.
Period Clothing
Ascots, capes, and knee-length breeches/breeks/culottes (with appropriate leg coverings) are acceptable.
Cultural Dress
Garments deemed formal to particular cultures, such as formal kimonos, kilts worn with formal evening wear, Senatorial togas/stolas (no bed sheets or un-hemmed fabric, must be accompanied with a tunics and other formal Roman elements), etc. are acceptable.
Lolita Dress
Lolita dress is welcome, provided the skirt length matches our requirements.
Military Style Dress
Formal style military dress uniforms are acceptable. Utility uniforms are not.
Props
Props are allowed, but standard NDK prop rules still apply. There will be a “mini ops” table set up to handle all peace bonding needs.
Shoes
We understand you’ll be on your feet all night and will want comfortable shoes, so we aren’t enforcing a strict shoe policy. Please use your best judgment and the guidelines above.