Having written about both waiters’ uniforms and diner design recently, I’ve come across a number of articles specifically about what diner waitresses wear. I watched the TV show Alice when I was a kid but never gave much thought to the uniform, at the time. Yet over the years, I’ve noticed that the outfits diner waitresses wear hasn’t really changed that much since the original design.
I mentioned in last week’s post that the initial concept that evolved into diners was formed in the late 1800’s. At the turn of the century, more women entered the workplace and restaurants, which did not require that much education or physical strength (not to be confused with physical labor), were a good an option. As diners became more popular in the 20’s, the owners were often only too happy to hire women because they attracted male customers and put women patrons at ease.
When the uniform evolved it had to be comfortable but since many customers were male, they needed to have some sex appeal, or so the operators thought. In fact, the diner waitress uniform took its cue from the maid’s uniforms, especially the French maid’s as seen in the burlesque shows of the early 1900’s. Truly, just change out the color from black to pink, blue or yellow pastel, or gingham, and there is not that much of a difference. Both are short sleeved with white collars and trim.
But there are differences, too. As is true of most restaurant servers, an the apron is usually worn to stash pens, order pads and change as well as prevent their clothes from food stains. Also, the high heels that have become so identified with French maids would never cut it in the waitressing profession. Footwear today is much more comfortable but still, at any time, I can’t imagine anyone spending hours on their feet, carrying plates, with four inch heels.
By the 30’s, cotton was starting to be replaced by synthetic materials that were less expensive and easier to dye and care for. Rayon, which did does not wrinkle was easy to launder and doesn’t require ironing.
Probably out of nostalgia, you will still find plenty of women who work in diners dressed as if they were transformed from the 50’s. A lot also work in 50’s style diners but not all. This is a testament to the original concept of the uniform which may not be deemed as sexy as it once was but is still purposeful.
