how do you dress for restaurants?
 

I've been reading restaurant information for Las Vegas and have come across some confusing terms. What is the difference between dressy casual, semi-formal, and casual dress? And what type of clothing goes with each name? Thank You...

Okay, if we're talking Vegas, there is NO dress code. People have their own interpretation of what "dressed-up" is. Weather can play a role in this, but honestly, even in 110 degrees, a bit of mystery is preferred over seeing all the various tattoos and whatnot. That said, I'm more on the conservative side. I choose recommended places and hope that the food will be good, the ambiance worthy of a nice memory, and my surrounding tablemates well mannered. You can be sure that you will see it all, from dressy to immodest shorts and tank tops. I have felt overdressed at times, but that's my upbringing and personal taste- to me, it's half the fun, having my hair done and dressing for a special evening out. Most of the newer hotels, Bellagio and Mandalay, Paris and Venetian, have nice clientele in their restaurants, so I dress in what I consider appropriate attire, sometimes depending on my mood. I've worn a long dress and heels with my girlfriends, or dress pants and nice light tops on hot summer evenings. It's just so overall casual, that you really can't go wrong with your choices, so don't let the descriptions of attire dictate where you go. Have fun!

Las Vegas is one of those places where you can get away with being really dressed up and not feel stupid, so I say dress dressier rather than more casual when you go to dinner.

The terms are subject to interpretation, however this should help....

casual is just about anything goes as long as it's neat, clean and in good repair. Shorts, t-shirts, jeans, sneakers, etc would be okay.

Dressy casual typically means a collared shirt (vs t-shirt) and shoes (vs sneakers). Shorts may not be appropriate, but then again its Vegas.

Semi-formal is definitely no shorts or sneakers and implies dinner jacket or suit for the men, women similarly attired.

As another poster pointed out, Vegas tends to be a bit looser on dress than other major cities....cities on the East Coast for example (I know, major generalization, mea culpa, but its true).

If you aren't sure how to dress for a particular restaurant you can always call the concierge to ask.

My favorite new term is "business casual". No one will ever be able to define that one effectively for me!!!

We had dinner at "Prime" one night, where when I inquired upon making the reservation whether my husband needed a jacket, they said jackets are "preferred". We were surprised to see a number of men not wearing jackets, and shocked to see a young woman wearing jeans!

"shocked to see a young woman wearing jeans"???
Do people dining in a restaurant really pay that much attention to other customers are wearing?
I can honestly say that I never concern myself with it.
Unless someone walks in looking like George Clinton, I simply pay no attention.
Shocked by blue jeans... never.

dressy casual to me is a sequined top, jeans, and stilettos for me, jeans and a sport coat for husband.

semi-formal is dark suit and tie for men, cocktail dress for women.

Casual dress is jeans or shorts, flip flops, t-shirts for either sex.

Business casual is anything without a jacket for me and a sport coat without a tie for husband and no jeans or shorts.

TxTravelPro,
Most women I know ALWAYS notice what other women are wearing, whether in a restaurant or on the street.

And, yes, "shocked" because jeans do not belong in a 5* restaurant on a grown woman. I have been in restaurants where men are forced to wear ill-fitting, borrowed jackets. Some places do enforce dress codes, whether in Las Vegas or any other city populated by civilized people.

I guess I am not the norm, then...
I have the opportunity to dine in some great restaurants all over the world in my business and I don't think I have ever checked the dress code. Once or twice I have worn simple skirts and blouses but mostly I wear pants and knit shirts.
I am so occupied by the quality of the food, service and my dining companions I have never bothered to check out the people around me, unless they were loud or obnoxious.
Yikes... I hope I have never been the gal that shocked you. I really had no clue that this sort of thing would have any impact on someone elses evening.
I have always been told that my personality is more like a guy than a girl. Maybe that's the explaination.
Guys... what do you think?

dressy casual: jeans, tennis shoes and a T-shirt
semi-formal: jeans, tennis shoes and a T-shirt
casual dress: jeans, tennis shoes and a T-shirt

sometimes I wear my T-shirt that says I'M WITH BITCH. >:-)

jor, that is probably a good idea as long as your partner is wearing a shirt displaying 'I'M WITH STUPID'

Here is my interpretation of restaurant dress codes:

Casual - Attire seen from the pier to the mall, will vary greatly from region to region. Basically come as you are, just bring your money.

Dressy casual - A stylish coordinating outfit. Women might add costume jewelry, men might add a sports jacket and tie. Plan on spending a minimum of $20 a person on the meal without drinks and tip.

Semi-formal - Clothes which must be sent to the dry cleaners. In this case, you are probably an invited guest to a celebration, so just ask your host.

My question is how do you know beforehand what attire will get you in the door? If you don't reserve to eat in a particular spot, and by chance bring only casual clothes, like pressed jeans, becuase you think you're in that kind of locale, should you be denied seating even though you have your "best" on? Shouldn't the maitre d' at least you in the back, instead of turning you down and making a bad day of things.

I always thought that jeans were jeans, pressed or wrinkled. If the place is halfway dressy, jeans are not going to get you in the door. Usually, even in Vegas, black will get you in, whether it is trousers or a dress/skirt.
Now when you make reservations in any of the better restaurants, they will tell you what their dress code is..it has gone beyond shoes and shirts with sleeves..while most of the places still do not insist on jackets, they like it when you dress a little better..
We had dinner in Prime and saw no one in anything near casual, most of the men were wearing ties, all of the men were wearing jackets and some women were wearing long dresses.
Casual dress is just that, dress casually.
Semi-formal means jacket but no tie, dress but not long.
dressy casual means no jeans or tee shirts, perhaps a skirt and a top/trousers with a top..
I like the British way of requesting that we dress Smart Casual..that is assuming we all are smart enough to know what to wear :)

I agree that jeans are jeans, pressed or wrinkled.

good point, gotravel, and black jeans would get you in if pressed.

TxTravelPro - you aren't the only woman around who doesn't generally notice what other people are wearing. I don't either. Maybe we are just odd ducks. I don't know.

The only time I really notice other people in the restaurant is if my companions are boring, the service is bad so I am looking around trying to attract the server's attention, someone really good looking wanders by, or if someone's being particularly loud.

IMO, semi-formal is a dark suit for the man and a dressy dress or pantsuit for the woman. Formal means a dinner jacket for the man and a long dress for the woman. White tie means a tailcoat and accessories for the man and an elegant, probably décoletée, long dress for the woman, possibly with elbow-length white gloves if the dress has short sleeves. If you get an invitation that specifies "Orders will be worn." that means that gentlemen wear their military ribbons and medals; ladies would wear medals.

That's for big cities where formal wear still means something!

I'm so glad to be from California where this formal wear business isn't really an issue. :)

J, lucky you! The CEO of my company here in Santa Monica INSISTS on "front-office business attire" in the office. Just because HE looks lousy in anything other than a suit....

IBM is business casual-- but we're not! It's not fair.... :(

My company doesn't have a dress code or if we do no one cares - LOL.

We have one guy who rarely wears shoes in the office and another who wears t-shirts with holes in them. Most people wear jeans or khakis and shirts with some sort of collar.

Today I'm dressed a little nicer - cotton pants, sweater set, loafers with a bit of a heel. My office mate is wearing jeans and a sweatshirt.

For us, getting all dressed up to go out to dinner is part of the "experience."

We eat out every Friday night (date night) and go someplace nice on Sat. night. Even on date night at the local seafood joint, our idea of dressing down is dark denim boot cut jeans and strappy sandals (or boots if winter), and a blouse for me, and pressed dark denim or khakis and a white dress shirt under a sweater, and dress loafers for my husband.

On Saturday nights, it's always a sport coat or suit jacket, white or colored dress shirt and dress slacks and dress shoes for him, and a dress or dress slacks and blouse and dressy shoes or boots for me. Wow - "dress" 6 times in one sentence! :)

The key is - it's what we like to do. We were both raised that you dress for dinner, and getting ready to go out is a big part of the whole thing for us. We like to look nice and compliment each other on our "fashion selections."

I think people should wear whatever they want to and are comfortable in - while realizing that some establishments may not welcome their "comfort statements" and may want to project a certain image and atmosphere through their clientele.
It's a personal decision. We also get all dolled up to travel, but that's something not many people choose to do either any more.

Choosing to dress outside the norm - either way overdressed or way underdressed is going to garner some looks. One can either dress as the other patrons do, or be the subject of scrutiny. If being looked at doesn't bother you, dress the way that makes you happiest...

Hi J... thanks for the support.
I am a California type, that's for sure. I find restaurants are not at all pretentious in CA. Now some of the people may be but I have never had any trouble getting in great places. The same quirk that makes me not notice others (as described above) also seems to keep me from worrying about what others think. I don't notice them noticing me... if it happens.

In Florida, you'll see a lot of signs at restaurants that say "No shoes, no shirts, no service".

Our standards are much lower here.

Diana - I think you said it all. It's all about what you like to do and what you are comfortable with.

I am a very casual person and in general I would rather find a hole in the wall restaurant with terrific food than go to a 5* restaurant. That's just me. If I were to go to a 5* restaurant, I would dress up - I promise :))

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