Is it proper to wear sandals, shorts, and tank tops to dinner at restaurants in Naples, as it is in most Florida beach areas? Or do most restaurants frown upon such a thing. While browsing any particular thorofare in Florida tourist communties, How can one tell if a place is more upscale if the menu and prices are not posted outside. I would like to save myself from embarassment when I visit Naples because I heard that it is a bit upscale. I want to wear proper attire be it a casual or more upscale establishment.

Let me add that one thing that I always liked about Bradenton when I visited there a few years ago was that one could go into practically any restaurant dripping wet, oily, and sandy, in bikinis or bathing suits, and fit right in.

That won't be the case in Naples. You can get by with nice shorts but ixnay on the tank tops!! amp;

I was just there and saw everything imaginable on tourists. I would consider the caliber of restaurant that you're visiting, and dress appropriately. The more casual the restaurant, the more casual your attire.

JMO, but I don't think tank tops on guys are appropriate anywhere unless you are on the beach at places like Frenchies or Woodys in the Clearwater/St Pete area. Seeing everything imaginable and everything imaginable being proper are two entirely different animals.

You will still appear a little underdressed but tank tops and sandals are acceptable at places like the screen enclosed "Dock" or at Buzz's Lighthouse up in Vanderbilt.
Naples does not have a row of beachfront casual restaurants. In fact it has NONE, so what you're talking about doesn't apply.
There are very few restaurants in Naples where shorts are NOT now acceptable, other that ST. George and the Dragon where you will be turned away in them no matter how dressy they might be. And I believe you will be turned away from the better dining rooms at the Ritz or Registry as well, but they would be fine in their Cafes or casual restaurants. Tank tops are another matter. Sandals are acceptable even with dressy clothes, although if you want to look like a foreign tourist, be sure to wear dark dress socks with them (yecccchhh!)

I'm constantly amazed how tourists dress in Florida. I saw an entire family of tourists in Tampa last year, very white-skinned ones, wearing their bathing suits to the Westshore mall, an indoors mall. They had on swimsuit coverups with lots of see-through. Everyone was staring at them as they looked so out of place. But they seemed oblivious.

Tandoori, I know what you mean, but I figure there are a lot of people without taste or common sense anywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if that same family would go to their local mall in Ohio or Wisconsin or wherever dressed that same way on an August afternoon.

I generally wear print shirts and dressy shorts, and sandals. It seems to be fine in most places that I have been in Florida. It will be in mid May, so it will be hot. I am all about being comfortable. If I see a doorman in a tux, maybe I should move on to the place across the way that is promoting the Coors Light Girls. I guess that can be an indicator.