Fine Dining In Style

What is a restaurant dress code? Many men today do not know, simply because most restaurants no longer have one. Many people never ask about restaurant dress codes or even have an awareness that such rules exist. However, it is important to know the typical standards for appropriate dress when you go out for a meal. If you are going to be eating in a fancy hotel, then your wardrobe will obviously be more formal than what you would wear to a trip to a fast food place.

With a relaxed dress style being accepted at most places worldwide, many people are not sure what kind of attire is considered appropriate for formal restaurants anymore. However, when you want to go to a fancy restaurant, or a resort establishment, you need to know how to dress to be allowed to eat there. Knowing how to dress at home is not enough anymore, at least if you want to avoid certain awkward situations!

Knowing the Difference between Dressing Up & Dressing Down

Most restaurant dress codes include a blazer or sport coat, collared shirt, dressy shoes, and slacks. This means no sneakers or jeans! What is wrong with black jeans? Well, quite simply, they are still jeans and you will still be turned away if you try to wear them instead of formal slacks to a restaurant with a women's jackets dress code.

Sneakers are for casual or sports wear, not for dressing up. But why are collared shirt required? What is wrong with a t-shirt? Well, nothing is wrong with a t-shirt for casual wear but again, they are not appropriate for dressy wear because of the casual look and feel.

But why is there a dress code in the first place? Some restaurants want to create a certain feeling in their establishment, and one way they do this is by requiring patrons to dress a certain way. Many people enjoy and appreciate a formal dining experience. A dress code usually insures that only nicely mannered people will be present, so you avoid loud, annoying patrons. Most people who attend such formal restaurants are knowledgeable of dining etiquette.

Granted, if you are on a lunch break from work, and need a quick meal, no fast food place is going to turn you away for not having a jacket. However, upscale dining locations prefer to have a different feel, and usually pull it off quite well. If you are eating at an upscale resort, the Ritz Carlton or country club estates, you can expect a dress code. Also, some upscale restaurants in many major cities have dress codes.

One slight benefit to a dress code is that ties are usually optional. That means if you absolutely hate ties, most of the time you wont have to wear them. Most men choose to wear a tie, even when they are not required. Ties can add a punch of individual style to a mans outfit. They give a professional touch to a common blazer or sports coat.

Blazers can have many fun decorations or embellishments that make them more casual, but still acceptable to the dress code. For instance, fancy ribbons, embroidery, and silk linings under the collar all add a dressy yet playful look to a blazer. Varying the colors of your blazer is a creative way to jazz up an outfit without breaking dress code requirements. Navy blue is the most common color, but there are many others to choose from.