Via Shutterstock

Via Shutterstock

The annual Conservative Political Action Conference begins Thursday the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md., and while much of the focus will be on how to rebrand right-wing politics in an era of shifting demographics, there are other concerns. Like what conference attendees should wear, for instance.

While rank-and-file members of the Republican Party might always be dressed for legislative obstreperousness in their three-button suits and sensible shoes, the conservative movement’s young turks might not be so aware. With that in mind, Adrienne Royer, a media strategist, devised a list of what CPAC attendees should and should not wear.

Basically, Royer expects to see her fellow conservatives decked out rather drably. Business suits are the norm, for casual hours, the recommendations run to golf shirts and blazers for the gents, and cardigans for women. Approved shoes are limited to loafers, pump heels, thigh-high boots, and ballet flats.

“You will walk and walk and walk in D.C.,” the graphic advises. Once again, CPAC is not taking place in the District, but at a big hotel at a planned entertainment district in Maryland that, frankly, is kind of a pain in the ass to get to from D.C.

Now, what shouldn’t a CPAC-goer wear? Well, all the comfortable stuff. No T-shirts, jeans, or sneakers. (As you’ll see in the graphic below, Royer uses a Reagan-Bush ’84 shirt as an example. But come on! At CPAC, that shit’s vintage!) But that’s as far as the no-no list goes for menswear.

Women might find their wardrobes much more cramped. Among the banned items: Miniskirts, strapless necklines, halter tops, Uggs, Tom’s Shoes, and “fancy shorts.” We can get behind the Uggs ban, though it’s a little odd that Tom’s, which sells colorfully patterned flats at reasonable prices, is on the blacklist. (It could have something to do with the company’s founder attending, then disavowing, a 2011 event thrown by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family.) Also banned? Leggings, which some find superior to pants, and what’s CPAC without a little elitism?

As for “fancy shorts,” there has been some discussion on Twitter as to whether that includes jean shorts. But there also seems to be some consensus that jorts are both distinct from jeans and not inherently fancy. So go ahead, wear your jorts to CPAC.