I believe a director should dress up to UIL. For a guy, I think a coat should be worn to UIL myself. I hate ties, but there are dressier ways around it other than polos/slacks. Coregami makes some great shirts that are in mandarin style collars that work great for that. They're dressed up, but you can avoid the tie.

I went away from wearing a suit to marching contest for a few years since nearly everyone around me does polos and slacks. I returned to a suit and tie the year before this one because I know that the kids see things as more serious when I do. It's like there's a switch in their brains and they realize it is a 'real' contest.

The same is true when you go to Concert UIL.

No one should be penalized at UIL for not following this, but at the same time, if I'm torn between ratings on a sheet... If I see you and the kids took the extra effort and time to wear concert clothes, I will probably go with the higher rating. I'll probably go with the lower rating if you're in a mishmash of jeans, t-shirts, and other non-concert clothes. I definitely remember a band in that situation last year, and I know at the very least that school could have used their marching uniforms if they felt kids couldn't afford other clothes. (If you're clearly 'in uniform' with polos and slacks, or even possibly all the same shirts and jeans I won't hold that against someone)