In the early days of restaurants, waiters usually wore tuxedos, especially in formal spots. Today, servers wear anything from shorts and tank tops to finely tailored suits. Some eateries do not even have a dress code while others dictate their employees’ appearances down to facial hair and jewelry. While I don’t think that every part of a server’s appearance needs to be regulated, I do like going to places where the front of the staff has a noticeable uniform as it tells me something about the restaurant right away.
Large chains make the uniform part of their identification. Candy striped shirts and black pants are unmistakably part of TGI Friday’s image. More high-end, Morton’s Steakhouse has a signature black butchers apron that might not be as striking but certainly is part of its branding.
Smaller restaurants may not see their servers’ clothing as part of a brand but it does help create an image. Since standardized uniforms are an added expense, many opt for a dress code such as black pants and a white shirt. However, there are independent restaurants that go to great lengths to create specific uniforms for their staff.
In spite of the cost, a big upside to a uniform, for restaurant owners, is that you don’t have to play fashion police with your staff since it is a requirement of the job. Also, many workers seem to appreciate the uniform since working in a restaurant can be messy and it takes a toll on their clothing.
A more cost efficient way of uniforming a wait staff is supplying t-shirts with logos. Instead of the usual polo with a logo, you can get creative with a well designed tee. Some restaurants such as Bobo in the Village supply a vest, but require the staff to wear their own black pants, white button down shirt and a tie of their choosing.
More traditional Bobo’s server uniform
You can also buck with convention and go with patterns such a gingham, hipper fabrics like denim, and borrow from other cultures, as has been done with Nehru jackets and shirts.
The tuxedo might be archaic at this point but I do think most restaurants are best served with a some sort of astandardized uniform because it tells you that thought has been put into many aspects of the venue, and that they care enough to try to make a good first impression.
