Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

Which prison?

FDC SeaTac

Rules dated February 21, 2024 (2 years old)

2 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.

Skirts and dresses	Skirts/dresses no more than 2 inches above the knee.
Shorts	No shorts.
Colors to avoid	No khaki-colored clothing. No orange t-shirts. No white or brown t-shirts.
Leggings, spandex	No spandex garments. No form-fitting clothing.
Bras and metal	Avoid excessive metal on clothing, including underwear.
Camouflage, military	Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home.
Shoes	No open-toe or open-heel shoes. No sandals.
Children	Rules apply to all visitors regardless of age.

All 24 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

Skirts/dresses no more than 2 inches above the knee.Skirts or dresses shorter than 2 inches above the knee
No shorts.low cut tops, shorts, jogging or sweat suits,
No tank tops or sleeveless shirts.white, brown or orange t-shirts, sleeveless shirts, spandex garments
No plunging necklines or low-cut tops.Shirts/blouses with plunging necklines
No halter or tube tops.Halter, tank, or tube tops
No transparent or see-through clothing.Suggestive/revealing or transparent-see through clothing
No form-fitting clothing.sleeveless shirts, spandex garments or form fitting
No spandex garments.sleeveless shirts, spandex garments or form fitting
No torn jeans or jeans with tattered holes.jeans torn or w/tattered holes.
No jogging or sweat suits.Jogging or sweat suits

Colors and uniforms

No khaki-colored clothing.Khaki colored clothing
No orange t-shirts.White, brown, or orange t-shirts
No white or brown t-shirts.White, brown, or orange t-shirts

Bras, underwear and metal

Avoid excessive metal on clothing, including underwear.refrain from wearing excessive metal items on their clothing

Shoes

No open-toe or open-heel shoes.Open toe or open heel shoes
No sandals.open toe or heel shoes; sandals;

Hats, hoods and coats

No hats or caps.Hats, caps or shirts with hoods
No hoods or shirts with hoods.Hats, caps or shirts with hoods
No coats, jackets, gloves, scarves or other outdoor apparel.Coats, jackets, gloves or scarves (any type of outdoor apparel)

Children

Rules apply to all visitors regardless of age.All visitors, regardless _of age, will have to abide by these rules.

Everything else

No offensive wording, signs or logos.Clothing w/offensive wording or signs/logos
No baggy or sagging clothing.Bagging or sagging clothing
No suggestive, provocative or revealing clothing.Any clothing that is suggestive, provocative or reveling is not suitable for the visiting room

If they say no

Questionable clothing referred to IDO or Operations Lieutenant.Clothing that is questionable will be brought to the attention of the

What almost every prison bans

Short skirts and dresses (each prison sets its own length)
Sleeveless tops
See-through or mesh clothing
Shorts (kids are often an exception)
Hats (religious head coverings usually allowed)
Khaki, or anything like the inmate uniform
Open-toe shoes
Backless, strapless or halter tops
Tight or form-fitting clothing
Sweatpants and sweatshirts
Leggings and spandex
Flip-flops and sandals
Offensive words, gang colors or symbols
Low-cut tops
Camouflage
Anything showing the stomach

An outfit that passes almost everywhere: jeans or slacks with no holes, a plain t-shirt with sleeves (no words, not khaki or green), closed-toe shoes, a sports bra, no hat.

From each prison's visiting rules on bop.gov, checked November 2, 2026. Turned away for something not in the rules? Tell Scooter.