Dress Codes for Fancy Restaurants

[l3aka]

this might be in the wrong section .. and if so please move it .. but i was thinking of trying out a more upscale restaurant .. considering i'm still young and I am used to not so nice places like pickle barrel, casey's ,, and restaurants of that sort (which i don't enjoy very much) .. so i was thinking of trying nicer restaurants for examples ones from winterlicious and i just recently saw the 4 course dinner for 2 for 39.99 at the 5th element and i checked it out .. and i saw that the dress code was "smart casual" .. and i'm asking people of experience what exactly is acceptable in this case ? does that mean no sneakers ? .. even sneakers that are casual looking ? or no jeans ? .. or i can't do my faux hawk cuz i'll look too much like a punk ? i need help RFD!

[Talamasca]

Dress codes in Toronto are pretty lax. A button-up shirt with khakis or nice jeans would probably be fine. Adding a blazer would also be just fine.

[stealth]

Agreed. people never dress up anymore.Even at the theater/musicals, lots of shleppers in jeans and t-shirts.

Come as you are, as long as there's nothing obscene on your shirt, or too ripped up/dirty.

[John Kreese]

I am going to assume that you are going to make reservations at the restaurant . When you call they usually will tell you if they have a dress code. The Old Mill is one place I know that has dress code.

[l3aka]

i know that they have a dress code .. and whether they have a declared dress code or not .. i don't want to go there and have people glare at me for not dressing as nice as i should or am expected to .. what about in the case of shoes ? .. is it highly suggested to wear dress shoes ?

[thegazelle]

i know that they have a dress code .. and whether they have a declared dress code or not .. i don't want to go there and have people glare at me for not dressing as nice as i should or am expected to .. what about in the case of shoes ? .. is it highly suggested to wear dress shoes ?

In my opinion, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed when going to a place that you think has a dress code. I mean, it's not like you'll be walking in a suit into McDonald's (and even if you do, no one will stare, since they think you're in business or something). If your whole party of, say, 8 people, walk into McDonald's in suits and dinner dresses...that's different.

For even a semi-upscale place, dressing up would be adviseable than dressing down. My wife and I have been to places that we thought has a dress code (and likely does) only to see that I'm the only one in a suit and tie, though others have collared shirts and sport jackets. I think guys can get away with being overdressed. My wife walked in with a black dinner dress and did look a little out of place since most ladies there work blouses and slacks. Still, no one stared at us - if they did, they probably thought we were going out on our anniversary or we just came out of a business meeting or we are going to a show afterwards, or...we're just plain ol' stinking rich...

[Kenneth]

I've only run into a problem at Truffles with the dress code. Everywhere else (as previously mentioned) is pretty lax, higher end places let you get away with a little more since your young too.

Oddly women can wear pretty much anything offensive and get away with it.

[UrbanPoet]

they just dont want slobs.
So as long as your not in dirty ripped up clothing your fine. Any shirt with collars and buttons will be nice even with jeans.