FEMALE DRESS AND APPEARANCE STANDARDS
The personal grooming standards listed below are the minimum standards that represent common appearance issues and are not all-inclusive. Although cadets have the right, within established limits, to express their individuality through their appearance, the Air Force has defined what is and what is not an acceptable, professional military image for cadets in uniform. For more detailed instructions, reference Air Force Instruction 36-2903 and Air Force JROTC Operational Supplement - Chapter 7 linked below.
Hair:
Hair accessories.
Braids, twists, micro-braids, French braids, Dutch braids and cornrows are authorized.
Fingernails must not exceed ¼ inch in length beyond the tip of the finger and must be clean and well-groomed.
Fingernail polish, if worn, will be a single color that does not distinctly contrast with the female cadet’s complexion, detract from the uniform, or be extreme colors. Some examples of extreme colors included, but are not limited to, purple, gold, blue, black, bright (fire engine) red and florescent colors. Do not apply designs to nails or apply two-tone or multi-tone colors; however, white-tip French manicures are authorized.
Cosmetics, if worn, will be conservative, moderate, being within reasonable limits, not excessive or extreme and in good taste. Female cadets will not wear shades of lipstick that distinctly contrast with their complexion, that detract from the uniform, or that are extreme colors. Some examples of extreme colors include but are not limited to, purple, gold, blue, black, bright (fire-engine) red, and fluorescent colors.
Earrings. Female cadets may wear small (not exceeding 6 mm in diameter) conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) round or square white diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver earrings as a set with any uniform combination. If member has multiple holes, only one set of earrings are authorized to be worn in uniform and will be worn in the lower earlobes. Earrings will match and fit tightly without extending below the earlobe unless the piece extending is the connecting band on clip earrings.
Gauges are not authorized.
Jewelry will be plain and conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) as determined by the SASI or ASI. All cadets are prohibited from attaching, affixing, or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, eye brows, lips, or any exposed body part (includes visible through the uniform).
Bracelets. Cadets may wear one bracelet around their wrist. If worn, the bracelet will be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) (which is defined as plain, not drawing attention or faddish) in design, no wider than ½ inch, gold or silver in color, and will not have any inappropriate pictures or writing. Medical alert/identification bracelets are authorized; however, if worn, they will be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) (which is defined as plain, not drawing inappropriate attention or faddish). Bracelets espousing support for cause, philosophy, individual or group are not authorized (Exception: Traditional metal POW/MIA/KIA bracelets, which come in colors besides silver, bronze, or gold, remain authorized).
Ankle bracelets are not authorized.
Watches must be conservative and only one can be worn around the wrist while in uniform. Conservative examples (not all inclusive) are solid color black, brown, silver or gold. Prohibited examples are diamond-covered, neon, bright colors, and bands that exceed 1-inch width.
Rings. Cadets may wear a total of no more than three rings; Rings will be worn at the base of the finger, and will not be worn on the thumb.
Necklaces. Cadets may wear a necklace but it cannot be visible at any time when in unifrom. If worn, it must be concealed under a collar or undershirt.
Non-prescription sunglasses or eyeglasses, when in uniform, frames may be black or brown material or gold or silver wire. Brand name glasses may be worn with small logo on frames or lenses. Logo must be same color as frames or lenses. Conservative wrap-around sunglasses may be worn. Conservative, clear, slightly tinted or photosensitive lenses are authorized. Faddish styles and mirrored lenses are prohibited. Sunglasses (to include darkened photosensitive lenses) are not authorized in formation.
Contact lenses will be natural looking in shape and design while in uniform. They will be clear in color and not change the color of the cadet’s natural eye color.
Hair:
- Will be clean, well-groomed, present a professional appearance and allow for proper wear of headgear.
- Will not contain excessive amounts of grooming aids (e.g. gel, mousse, pomade, and moisturizer).
- Will not appear lopsided, touch either eyebrow, or end below an imaginary line across the forehead at the top of the eyebrows that is parallel to the ground.
- If applied, dyes, tints, bleaches and frostings must result in natural hair colors that complement the cadet’s complexion and skin tone. Examples of natural hair colors are brown, blonde, brunette, natural red, or black. Prohibited examples (not all inclusive) are burgundy, purple, orange, fluorescent or neon colors. SEE THE HAIR COLOR STANDARDS PAGE FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT HAIR COLOR.
- Extensions are authorized and will meet the same standard required for natural hair, be of good quality, fit properly, and comply with safety, functionality and professionalism.
- There is no minimum hair length for females but there is a maximum bulk of 3-1/2 inches from the scalp and allows proper wear of headgear.
- Hair will end above the bottom edge of collar and will not extend below an invisible line drawn parallel to the ground, both front to back and side to side.
- Bangs, or side-swiped hair will not touch either eyebrow, to include an invisible line drawn across eyebrows and parallel to the ground. When in doubt, assess correct length of hair with cadet standing in the position of attention.
- Exception: While wearing the Physical Training Uniform (PTU), long hair will be secured but may have loose ends and may extend below the bottom edge of the collar.
- The intent is for pinned-up hair to be styled in a manner that prevents loose ends from extending upward on the head. For example, when using a clip or hairpins, hair will not present the appearance of a ―rooster tail.
- When hair is in a bun, the bun must be a single bun; no wider than the width of the head and all loose ends must be tucked in and secured.
- When hair is in a ponytail, it must be a single ponytail; that does not exceed bulk and length standards and does not extend below the bottom of the collar (except while in the PT uniform).
- As with all hairstyles, a neat and professional image is essential.
Hair accessories.
- If worn, black hair accessories (e.g., fabric scrunchies, hairpins, combs, clips, headbands, elastic bands, barrettes, etc.) are authorized regardless of hair color.
- Hair must still comply with bulk and appearance standards. Headgear must fit properly. Headbands or fabric scrunchies will not exceed one-inch in width.
- Ornaments are not authorized.
Braids, twists, micro-braids, French braids, Dutch braids and cornrows are authorized.
- A braid or twist is two or more portions of interwoven hair.
- If adding additional hair, it must be a natural looking color, similar to the individual's hair color. It must be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) and not present a faddish appearances.
- Hair must not exceed bulk and length standards and must not extend below the bottom of the collar.
- Headgear must fit properly.
- All braids/twists, when worn will be of uniform dimension, no wider than one inch, with natural spacing between the braids/twists and must be tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional and well-groomed appearance.
- When worn, multiple braids shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx. ¼ inches), show no more than ¼ inch of scalp between the braids and must be tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional appearance.
- A braid/twist must continue to the end of the hair without design and following the contour of the head, and may be worn loose or in a secured style within hair standards
- Exception: Micro-braids or twists are not required to continue to the end of the hair.
- Hair color, highlights, lowlights, and frosting will not be faddish or extreme and will be natural looking hair color, similar to the individual’s hair color (e.g. black, brunette, blond, and natural red).
Fingernails must not exceed ¼ inch in length beyond the tip of the finger and must be clean and well-groomed.
Fingernail polish, if worn, will be a single color that does not distinctly contrast with the female cadet’s complexion, detract from the uniform, or be extreme colors. Some examples of extreme colors included, but are not limited to, purple, gold, blue, black, bright (fire engine) red and florescent colors. Do not apply designs to nails or apply two-tone or multi-tone colors; however, white-tip French manicures are authorized.
Cosmetics, if worn, will be conservative, moderate, being within reasonable limits, not excessive or extreme and in good taste. Female cadets will not wear shades of lipstick that distinctly contrast with their complexion, that detract from the uniform, or that are extreme colors. Some examples of extreme colors include but are not limited to, purple, gold, blue, black, bright (fire-engine) red, and fluorescent colors.
Earrings. Female cadets may wear small (not exceeding 6 mm in diameter) conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) round or square white diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver earrings as a set with any uniform combination. If member has multiple holes, only one set of earrings are authorized to be worn in uniform and will be worn in the lower earlobes. Earrings will match and fit tightly without extending below the earlobe unless the piece extending is the connecting band on clip earrings.
Gauges are not authorized.
Jewelry will be plain and conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) as determined by the SASI or ASI. All cadets are prohibited from attaching, affixing, or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, eye brows, lips, or any exposed body part (includes visible through the uniform).
Bracelets. Cadets may wear one bracelet around their wrist. If worn, the bracelet will be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) (which is defined as plain, not drawing attention or faddish) in design, no wider than ½ inch, gold or silver in color, and will not have any inappropriate pictures or writing. Medical alert/identification bracelets are authorized; however, if worn, they will be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) (which is defined as plain, not drawing inappropriate attention or faddish). Bracelets espousing support for cause, philosophy, individual or group are not authorized (Exception: Traditional metal POW/MIA/KIA bracelets, which come in colors besides silver, bronze, or gold, remain authorized).
Ankle bracelets are not authorized.
Watches must be conservative and only one can be worn around the wrist while in uniform. Conservative examples (not all inclusive) are solid color black, brown, silver or gold. Prohibited examples are diamond-covered, neon, bright colors, and bands that exceed 1-inch width.
Rings. Cadets may wear a total of no more than three rings; Rings will be worn at the base of the finger, and will not be worn on the thumb.
Necklaces. Cadets may wear a necklace but it cannot be visible at any time when in unifrom. If worn, it must be concealed under a collar or undershirt.
Non-prescription sunglasses or eyeglasses, when in uniform, frames may be black or brown material or gold or silver wire. Brand name glasses may be worn with small logo on frames or lenses. Logo must be same color as frames or lenses. Conservative wrap-around sunglasses may be worn. Conservative, clear, slightly tinted or photosensitive lenses are authorized. Faddish styles and mirrored lenses are prohibited. Sunglasses (to include darkened photosensitive lenses) are not authorized in formation.
Contact lenses will be natural looking in shape and design while in uniform. They will be clear in color and not change the color of the cadet’s natural eye color.