When it comes to dining out, the phrase “no shoes, no shirt, no service” is well-known. However, there’s more to consider when choosing your outfit than just meeting the basic requirements—especially if you’re heading to a place with a specific dress code or an elegant atmosphere. Understanding what that means and applying it properly isn’t always straightforward. Some fashion choices can come across as too casual, while others might be seen as disrespectful. That’s not the impression anyone wants to make, which is why we reached out to hospitality experts for guidance on what to avoid wearing.
Crocs and Khaki Shorts at a Michelin-Starred Restaurant
This one should be obvious, but apparently not to everyone. Even though some places have a relaxed approach to dress codes, chef and owner of 24 Suns, Nicholas Webber, recalls a time when he worked at a 3-star Michelin restaurant where a guest arrived in orange Crocs and khaki shorts. “That was definitely surprising,” he says.
A Tank Top
One thing that no one wants to see in a restaurant is a tank top. “Keep the pits hidden,” says Jon Rhinerson, owner of Little Fawn.
An Outfit That Obstructs Other Guests
“I don’t really believe in a never wear,” Webber says, “there are Michelin-level restaurants where you can show up in flip flops.” But there is one exception: “When the outfit is so over the top that it affects other guests, that’s maybe the only way at our restaurant to be truly inappropriate.”
An example? “At our restaurant, a patron once sat at the bar so layered with coats and multiple hats that the extra clothing occupied the seat next to him,” he explains.
Athletic Wear and Backward Baseball Hats
Save your sporty attire for the gym. Rhinerson advises against wearing “mesh sporty jerseys [or] athletic wear that’s obviously athletic wear and not ‘athleisure wear.’” And if you’re going to wear a baseball cap, at least wear it front-facing. “Please, for the love of god, not a backward baseball cap.”
Tapered Athletic Pants…Or Too Much Cologne
“Guys, stop wearing skinny, tapered athleisure pants. You look foolish in anything with that much spandex in your pants,” Rhinerson says. “And do NOT overdo it with the cologne. It’s actually offensive, and your date thinks so too.”
Clothing With A Smell
Speaking of scents…“I had a guest come in wearing a brand new leather jacket that had a strong chemical smell,” says Roxana Pavel, owner of ALLMINE. “As they walked in, I noticed the smell and thought there was a chemical fire. His date noticed my reaction and said, ‘Oh, it’s his jacket.’ I tried to make a joke about it, and later I noticed that the entire dining room smelled like that, and I was unsure of what was appropriate to do. Luckily, they asked to move outside.”
An Over-The-Top Dress
Sure, your dinner out is an excuse to dress up, but maybe keep to a more traditional color palette—especially if you’re going somewhere high-end. “Shiny colorful dresses that might look good on Insta or TikTok end up looking like you came from the prom or maybe have a limo outside for your bar-crawl Sunday drinking adventure,” Rhinerson says. His solution? “Just wear black. All black. All the time. Guys: dress it down with a pair of Vans or dress it up with a boot. Girls: flip flops not from the Jurassic era if you’re going casual, a small heel if you’re stepping it up…you can get away with so much wearing black.”
An Unbuttoned Or Partially Buttoned Shirt
Even if you’re grabbing a bite near the beach, button up. Anything too undone just distracts other guests. “It is respectful to at least be dry and wearing your shirt completely,” Pavel says.
