Dress Code at The Shard

Quite frankly the Shard isn't all that. Went up there last summer and encountered this pretentiousness. I occasionally frequent much more classy venues worthy of such standards, but the Shard isn't in the same league.
However, 'across the road' is the Walkie Talkie tower (or whatever it's proper name is), and has the Sky Garden - absolutely fabulous, free (which the Shard isn't) and the best views (you can see the Shard from there!). The balcony gives you a fantastic sensation of 'feeling' London from up on high also.

Jeans are the least individualistic of clothing.
Someone asked DH why he never wore jeans and he replied that he had spent years in a uniform.

Yes, ninathenana I went to a wedding where the groom and best man were in morning suit and wore black and white striped canvas shoes (not trainers, more daps!).

Maggie - it's ok, one did not take offence.

Re individualism, I suppose I just don't like being told what I should and shouldn't wear. I used to hate having to send my kids to school in a horrible polyester school uniform that someone else (not me) thought was suitable. I've been like this since I threw away my school hat at age 12.

I was having very posh afternoon tea in the hotel whilst visiting the Shard so we had to make a bit of an effort and look nice.
You don't need to wear trainers as you are mainly in lifts its only the last 3 floors you walk up if you want to.

Using you in the sense of one, of course. I would never cast aspersions on fellow Gransnetters' sartorial elegance!

The scruffy old jeans, trainers and sweatshirt you wear every day don't really shout individualism, though, do they? More can't be a****d.

Jalima . I had the same thought!

Personally, I am against any sort of dress code for any sort of event, even especially weddings (love the idea of the green and white trainers, by the way). What's wrong with a bit of individualism? Cleanliness is more important than convention.

I was shocked at DDs' wedding here in Brussels, even the designer who made her dress was in jeans, trainers and a really tatty jumper.
One guest was almost refused as she looked like she had stuck some clothes over her nightie, the ushers came to ask who she was.
Even at the quite formal evening dinner the Belgian and some of the French guests were very, very casual. the Brits were dressed to kill.
Made for some interesting photographs
I wear trainers most of the time as I am disabled and they are the most comfortable to walk in, I wonder if I would have been refused entry to the Shard ?

I'm not sure of the reasons but a wedding we attended a couple of years ago the groom, best man and ushers wore black and lime green trainers with their morning suits. The bride's father refused to join in and wore black leather shoes.

DS's best man thought that they were hiring shoes as part of their wedding outfits but they hadn't made that arrangement. He turned up with only his trainers which were, fortunately, black and didn't show up in the photographs.

Tip - if you're going to walk through "mucky" areas in London in trainers , just pop a pair of court shoes in your bag to go into restaurants, theatres etc.
Perhaps NotTooOld's SIL might find walking in court shoes a bit difficult if he's not used to them.

We passed a church the other day where a wedding party was just bursting out. Amongst the posh frocks and decent shirts and trousers there was a handful of men wearing jeans, trainers and sweatshirts. No, none of them designer, unless you count Primarni, and none of them even remotely smart. Turning up to a wedding looking as if you've just rolled out of bed is an insult to the couple and their family, IMHO, as well as to your own partner (all the women had made a real effort).

Having to dress up for a tourist attraction is a step too far, though!

I wouldn't have dressed up for the Shard though!

Last month we had afternoon tea at Chatsworth House. I wore a dress and DH wore trousers and a shirt. Everyone else in there having afternoon tea was in jeans, fleeces and trainers. I felt a bit daft although it was only a plainish 'day' dress but I was also surprised at how little effort people had made.

For goodness sake!!! Most people dress in business attire Monday to Friday and at the weekend they wear casual clothes. It's time the management at The Shard take a step into the 21st century.

My Husband and I went to the view at the Shard last Autumn he wore trainers for comfort as we were spending the day in London .Nothing was said to him about his foot ware .

It is on their website for the main restaurants and bars ............

DRESS CODE
"Dress code is smart casual. Aqua Shard regret that entry will not be allowed to those wearing shorts, flip flops, sports kit or sports shoes."

Viewing only might be a completely different matter??

I dont think we need to being political prejudice into this jackthelad, this is about dress codes/trainers at The Shard, nothing more, nothing less. Although I dont wear trainers other than when in the gym ( cant stand the look of the damned things,), if The Shard dont wish to admit people wearing trainers, they need to make it clear on their website or their tickets.

I agree, looking smart shows respect for those you are with and for other diners too.

£200 for a pair of hard and dirty work trousers made of tent clothe. They say a fool and his money are soon parted. Denim was the ever day working dress when I was a member of HM Forces and I never want to see or wear them again. Anything is comfortable if you wear it often enough. What is the problem of looking your best in the smartest clothes you have. In the days when we really poor with backside hanging out of our pants we still tried to keep our Sunday "Go to meetings" suit, or is than another of those left wing prejudices that says that must look scruffy. When I accompanied my wife Then I always tried to dress in a manner that best suited the occasion and a credit to her.

Jeans that cost £200 or a fiver - how they look will depend so much on the wearer (how much they have bothered with their appearance) and how they've dressed them up - or not. Tatty old baggy jeans that don't fit properly will never look good on anyone.
The skinny jeans I have worn more than once with boots and a nice top to a very smart restaurant in Mayfair cost me £25 in M&S. There was no sign saying, 'Expensive designer jeans only' .

My son and family were refused entry a couple of weeks ago because he was wearing trainers even tho they were new and expensive

So as long as they are TROUSERS not jeans (what is the actual difference?) it wouldn't matter if they were ripped? At least they are not insisting on skirts for the laydees.

I can understand a ban on jeans. Just now, they are fashionably 'distressed' with rips and tears all over them. My current jeans are ripped and patched at the knee because they are worn out (why is it always the left knee that goes?) and I wouldn't dream of wearing them to go somewhere smart but as harrigran points out, if they allow expensive distressed jeans, they have to allow my gardening jeans. As an aside, how can anyone spend good money on jeans that have been ripped by the manufacturer? Emperor's new clothes or what???

I'm going to a do at the weekend (I'm getting a long standing member award ? woo hoo!) and there is a strict dress code. I'm going shopping tomorrow. I just hope I can find something smart but comfortable (and not too expensive) that I'll actually wear again!

It clearly says on the Shards website, there is no dress code and to wear what you feel comfortable in, but advises against stilettos !
The restaurants etc; are a different matter.