IHM Dress Code for Male & Female Students

Since the hospitality sector focuses more on presentation, hygiene, and etiquette, students at IHM are also trained accordingly to reflect these standards from day one. Read further to know more about the IHM Dress Code for both girls and boys students across various departments.

IHM Dress Code For Male & Female

Getting admission in one of the IHMs in the country is a dream for all the students who want to pursue Hospitality Courses. But the question is, how to get admission in IHM? To get admission in Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) for undergraduate programs like B.Sc. in Hospitality and Hotel Administration (B.Sc. HHA), you need to go through a national-level entrance exam held by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT).

Every year, the NTA holds the NCHMCT JEE Exam to enroll candidates. Once the NCHMCT Counselling is completed, candidates are allotted their respective IHM based on their ranks. It must be noted that the IHM institutes across the country follows a very strict dress code to maintain the professionalism that is expected in the hospitality industry. Since the hospitality sector focuses on presentation, hygiene, and etiquette, students at IHM are also trained accordingly during their course to reflect these standards from day one. Read further to know more about the IHM Dress Code for both girls and boys students across various departments.

General Guidelines

• Students must wear uniform as per their department.

• IHMs do daily grooming and if anyone found with improper dress or grooming, strict action will be taken against the individual.

• On campus, students must wear their ID cards.

• Uniform must be well pressed, clean and complete – no mixing of departmental attire is allowed.

• Personal hygiene, neat appearance and professional body language is a must.

Also Read: IHM Placements - Highest Package, Top Companies, Past Recruitment Reports

1. Front Office Department

Check the dress code for male and female students of front office department below:

Male Students:

• Formal business suit (navy blue or black with matching trousers)
• White full-sleeve shirt
• Necktie (provided by the institute)
• Black polished formal shoes
• Black socks
• Hair: Short, neat and not covering ears or forehead
• Clean-shaven look is mandatory
• Nails: Short and clean

Female Students:

• Formal business suit or saree as specified (colors may vary)
• White shirt with inner slip (for suits)
• Black low-heeled formal shoes (closed-toe, non-slip)
• Natural-looking makeup
• Hair tied back in a bun or ponytail
• Minimal jewelry (stud earrings only)
• No colored nail polish

Also Read: IHM Courses - UG and PG Courses offered at Central IHMs, State IHMs, and Private IHMs in India

2. Food Production Department (Kitchen)

Check out the dress code for Food Production Department (Kitchen) below:

Male Students:

• White chef coat with IHM logo
• Checked chef trousers
• Neckerchief or scarf (color-coded by semester or level)
• Chef cap / Toque
• Apron (white or striped)
• Black kitchen shoes (non-slip)
• Hair net (compulsory)
• No rings, bracelets or watches allowed
• Clean-shaven and neat grooming

Female Students:

• Hair must be fully tied and tucked under hairnet and cap
• No makeup, nail polish or jewelry (except small studs)
• Comfortable flat, closed shoes for kitchen safety

3. Food & Beverage Service

Check out the dress code for Food & Beverage Service below:

Male Students:

• White shirt (full sleeves)
• Black trousers
• Black waistcoat & tie
• Black formal shoes (polished)
• White gloves (during service practicals)
• Clean-shaven, short hair, no accessories

Female Students:

• White shirt and black skirt/trousers
• Waistcoat & neck scarf
• Low-heeled black shoes
• Hair tied neatly, light makeup allowed
• Nails short and clean (no nail paint)

Also Read: How To Become A Travel Agent?

4. Housekeeping Department

Check out the dress code for housekeeping department below:

Male Students:

• Light blue shirt
• Navy blue or black trousers
• Black shoes
• Housekeeping apron
• No facial hair
• Clean nails and grooming standards
• No facial hair
• No tattoos
• No piercings
• No visible tattoos or piercings
• No visible hair color

Female Students:

• Saree or salwar suit (institute specific)
• Apron over uniform
• Hair tied back
• Minimal jewelry
• Clean nails

Casual Days & Theory Classes (If Allowed)

Some IHMs allow relaxed dress codes for theory classes:

• Smart casuals (as per institute norms)
• No ripped jeans, shorts, flashy clothes or slippers
• ID card still mandatory

Consequences of Dress Code Violation

If a student is found not following the dress code, he/she may have to face:

• Verbal/written warnings
• Mark deduction in internal assessments

• Suspension from practical classes
• Parent notification in repeated cases

Candidates must note that the IHM Dress Code is not only about appearance, but it's all about instilling a sense of discipline, professionalism, and pride in the hospitality vocation. The candidates are expected to reflect the brand image of the industry they are preparing to join. Strict adherence to the code is considered part of professional training.

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