Restaurant Uniform Ideas - Restaurant Ties - Uniform Tips

Most, but not all, restaurants have uniforms for their waitstaff. The uniform may be a guideline, like a white button down and black pants, a branded polo and khakis, flannel and jeans, etc. Other restaurants require everyone to wear the same exact items, which may or may not be provided by the restaurant.

Besides tradition, there are a few reasons why restaurants have employee uniforms. First, it makes it easy to distinguish who works at the restaurant. Secondly, uniforms are an important part of branding and set the ambiance for the restaurant. Waiters wearing an assortment of bright and colorful ties can create a fun and memorable environment. You'll usually find waiters wearing black ties in upscale and fine dining restaurants. If you walk into a restaurant and find waiters wearing plaid shirts and skinny ties, you know the atmosphere is trendy and modern.

Waiter uniforms vary greatly depending on the restaurant. The most common uniform worn is a white dress shirt, black pants and black tie. However, today we see waiters wearing everything from plaid shirts to t-shirts and ties. Even in a t-shirt and jeans, the important part of a waiter uniform is that the staff looks (and is) clean. Restaurant uniforms may have guidelines for jewelry, visible tattoos and hairstyles, especially in more upscale dining.

The restaurant manager is usually dressed the most professionally at a restaurant. If the waiters wear ties, then then manager often wears a jacket over their dress shirt. If ties aren't part of the waitstaff uniform, the manager may wear a tie. The manager might not follow the same color guidelines for his or her uniform, but instead a level or formality, such as business attire, etc.

A restaurant host or hostess gives the first impression when someone walks through the doors, so attire counts. His or her outfit is usually different than the waiters, but still coordinates with what the rest of the staff is wearing. If the waiters wear dress shirts and ties, the hostess may wear a similar dress shirt without a tie. (Male hosts will sometimes wear a tie as well, but it might be a pattern tie that coordinates with the solid color the waiters are wearing.) If the waiters all wear branded polo shirts, the hostess may wear a branded color is a different color. The key is to look presentable but distinguishable from the waitstaff.

Black is, without a doubt, the most popular color worn by restaurant employees. Why? Because it hides spills, stains and splatters the best. While a light colored garment might instantly be ruined by a blob of pasta sauce, black can continued to be worn.

Although they might not be seen by the clientle, chefs wear uniforms, too. The typical chef uniform is different than a waiter or waitress. It usually consists of a toque (hat), coat, apron or side towel, pants and slip-resistant shoes.