Once you enter the elbMUN conference room, you will find yourself in a sea of blue suits, white blouses and dress shoes. With their clothing, the delegates transpire professionalism. It is not a just a taste in fashion, but an actual rule written down in the delegates handbook. This Thursday, a couple of delegates, had to experience what happens if you don´t dress accordingly. A punishment session was held for them, they had to sing their national anthem and dance. While it helps you to feel more like a diplomat, it might also be an expensive investment. Is this tradition obsolete or part of the experience? We asked a couple of delegates during coffee break. Here is their opinion.
By Merret Fides Gregor and Anna Abraham
Arne (delegate for Brazil)
„I am wearing business casual, button down, suit jacket, suit trousers, no tie, no fly. I´m wearing white sneakers, they are also kind of dirty because I wore them at the Osterfeuer in my hometown. They are not proper attire, they aren’t allowed, you must wear dress shoes. I like the dresscode. I like to wear suits in general and I don’t get the opportunity to wear them very often. I’ve worn this twice. It feels more professional, more official. It’s not like super formal, there have been some punishments for delegates with white sneakers for example having to sing the national anthem or dancing, but it was good fun. The dresscode also makes you more confident. The suit speaks for itself.”
Mia (team): “Today I am wearing shoes with high heels. It hopefully fits the dress code. Generally speaking, a dress code is appropriate. I think, it helps people to get into their role. After all, we model the United Nations. But I don’t feel like it should be imposed ultra strict. Earlier, we had some punishments for people wearing sneakers. As a consequence, they had to dance and read an episode from “Fifty shades of Grey.”. After all, that was more for fun and not to actually humiliate them.“
Paul (delegate for Senegal): „Today, I am wearing a boubou. It’s a traditional Fulani dress. The Fulani are the biggest ethnic groups in Senegal. This dress comes from the south-east region of Senegal. A Senegalese friend told me to get a Tailor in Dakar so I can show the traditional dress in Dresden. I thought elbMUN would be a good occasion to wear it and give it the proper respect. I would never wear it casually in my freetime. They also hand it out to ambassadors and I would like to show my appreciation of their culture. We as delegates have to represent our country in a proper way.
In general, I think the dress code is good because it leaves room for interpretation. Before the conference, I actually contacted the awareness team to make sure they would be okay with me wearing the boubou. To understand, you need to know my personal connection to it.
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