Dress code for restaurant staff

I often go to really nice pubs and restaurants when staying with my daughter in Lancashire. The staff tend to wear long black aprons they look good and identifiable as staff. I don't think they are suitable for anyone working in a kitchen environment with potential spillages etc.

Personally, I think that is a bit scruffy for work, but if the restaurant doesn't have a dress code for staff, then anything goes. Yes, the ripped jeans is a fashion statement, and I have a pair myself, but wouldn't wear them to work.

Most restaurants here have a basic dress code, usually black trousers and white or black top, or a t-shirt with the logo of the business.

I'm happy with that in a pub restaurant.
Not when fine dining though.

I appreciate good service and good food more than what clothes the restaurant staff are wearing especially in pubs or similar establishments.
My DH is vaguely amused by the ripped jeans says it’s a shame they can’t afford a whole pair and that he has worn better clothes gardening he is no fashion guru. Mind you can’t say I like them either

It's just a pub/restaurant for Heaven's sake! Judy54, I choose to dress smartly too - wherever I go for a meal - but I don't care how the staff are dressed, just hope they'll bring some reasonable food!

Joseanne

I'm happy with that in a pub restaurant.
Not when fine dining though.

Spot on

If a bar or restaurant has a uniform policy they should either be providing a uniform or paying a tax deductible uniform allowance. Otherwise as long as they’re clean and tidy it’s fine.

Franbern is right the price of a ripped jeans is not cheap that’s a real dress up thing for the younger generation perhaps this particular place is more a young persons eating place

A lot will depend on the kind of establishment. I would expect that with most of the trendy gastro pubs ripped jeans are de rigeur same as when you go into a top hairdressing salon and the stylists are really on trend. If you want really top notch service then you need to go to a five star hotel and 'dine'. Where I live (coastal town on south coast) many of the eateries are shabby chic/coastal shack style and they are very casual. We also have a very smart manor house hotel where the staff are immaculately dressed in black and white. It depends on what you prefer.

Sago

Call me old fashioned but I think it’s unprofessional.

Probably a deliberate policy, to avoid the kind of people who thinks that way, and attract a younger more trendy clientele.

I really don't think a restaurant would dictate the attire of its staff in order to purposely dissuade people who weren't youthful or cool from eating there. All the restaurants I have eaten in, (London and beyond), have been inclusive of all.

Joseanne

I really don't think a restaurant would dictate the attire of its staff in order to purposely dissuade people who weren't youthful or cool from eating there. All the restaurants I have eaten in, (London and beyond), have been inclusive of all.

Of course, restaurants desire nice customers of all ages.

Having been a waitress before, I think comfort is a big thing!!
But, they should still wear something to define them from customers, like a badge stating staff or/a little apron!

No- I wouldn’t go there. Not for a restaurant but OK for a cafe. I think it shows a lack of respect.

But if it is their uniform nana8 ?

I bet those ripped jeans get washed more frequently than the smart black trousers - especially if worn by females.

I worked in an eatery once many years ago when faded denims were the thing. After an evening spent in the fuggy atmosphere of cooking smells, all my clothes went straight into the washing machine. My son who wears jeans without rips as he's in his 50s will only wear them max 2 days before they're bunged in the machine.

Reading some comments here made me laugh. It reminded me of a retired Majormliv9ng on the Isle of Wight being interviewed in/around 1969 about the music festival taking place there. He was splenetic with rage about the younger generation, all these hippies invading his island looking scruffy, long hair, jeans, can’t tell the girls from the boys and on and on he ranted.

Iam64 This is why I am always very unwilling to criticise younger people and their sartorial and other excesses.

As an almost full on 1960 chick, whenever I am tempted to criticise or laugh I remind myself of the way the 1960 generation, my generation, overturned everything our parents generation and earlier believed in - for ever.

Uniform? Dress code? Some people must eat out in posher establishments than I do - although I do expect the full long white apron, black trousers and white gloves at the Ritz!
Seriously, the point of “uniform” to me is only to differentiate between staff and customers so that you don’t embarrass yourself ordering from another diner. It’s pretty obvious who the staff are in a pub or gastropub so why bother? I feel only sympathy for those poor workers in fast food chains who are obliged to wear silly clothes or hats like they do in burger bars.

As long as they’re clean and well groomed they can wear what they like.

I wouldn't mind either, providing they were polite and efficient.
And the jeans were clean.

I think ripped jeans look ridiculous whoever is wearing them. Don’t care if they’re fashionable or not.

Redhead56

I often go to really nice pubs and restaurants when staying with my daughter in Lancashire. The staff tend to wear long black aprons they look good and identifiable as staff. I don't think they are suitable for anyone working in a kitchen environment with potential spillages etc.

They wear long black aprons in our local gastro pub as well.

Old habits die hard with me I still look at the cleanliness of their clothes and hands, especially their fingernails.
Thinking back to what we wore in the 60s/70s I had clothes for work and mini skirts for play. Some never went home as my mother would not be seen with me in them.
If I were paying a lot for a special meal then I would expect a different level of clothing.

My daughters own a Cafe/Restaurant and they would not allow their wait staff to wear ripped jeans.
Personally I do not like them, I realise they are fashionable but to me they are casual wear and not for work situation where you are dealing with the public

I agree with the poster who said 'thank goodness' we can all wear what we like now. I feel the rage rising the minute anyone mentions the words 'dress code'. Grrrr.

As for ripped jeans, well, they make me smile. It's just a 'thing' with the younger generations. Mind you, there is a picture going the rounds of Prince Harry wearing ripped jeans. My first thought was 'surely he's a bit old for that?'