A
male
age
30-35,
*rMcLovin
writes:Hey guys,I am to go out with a "friend" on saturday night for dinner and I don't know what to wear, basically. We're both 17 so it's not like I have a suit and I wouldn't really feel comfortable in a shirt/trousers. It is a posh restaurant and it will be most likely all adults in there. I have nice shirts(patterned not smart white) and black trousers/chinos so should I just wear that? Would it be acceptable to wear smart trendy stuff? I don't think the place has a dress code.Thanks! Reply to this Question
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male
reader, MrMcLovin +, writes (26 January 2012):
MrMcLovin is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks for the advice guys, some great answers!
A
female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (26 January 2012):
 Agreed, the most sensible thing is that you call the restaurant and find out if they do have a dress code.
Anyway, if you feel comfortable enough to go to a posh restaurant patronized by adults, I don't see why you can't feel comfortable enough to wear an adult attire, i.e. jacket and trousers . You can do grown up things, then you can also dress grown up.
Black chinos / trousers are good . Black shoes, black socks. No trainers or sneakers. A patterned shirt- how patterned ? Pinstripes, classic Oxford, tiniest littlest chequers...? Fine. Little duckies , Hawaian hoola dancers ...? No.
I don't know about UK, here if you showed up in any medium or medium/ elegant restaurant in shirt sleeves, they'd take you for the butcher's delivery boy and kindly redirect you to the service entrance. If you don't want to wear a formal suit jacket ( but it does not need to be a stodgy, First-Communion -tight one , it can be a loose fitting, destructured, smart-casual , fashionable thing. And, at your age, you can play with colour !,it does not have to be black or grey ) a blazer is cool too. Or at least a simple nice black cardigan.
No hoodies, no baseball hats. And - American colleagues please don't hate me- no jeans please . Jeans with V neck t- shirt and jacket maybe be acceptable or even cool in USA , but in the Old Continent, well, that's typical pimp attire. You don't want to give anybody the wrong ideas...
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (26 January 2012): do you know the name of the restaurant or it's phone number. this is what you do you pick up the phone you put in the phone number then. you wait and wait and wait until someone picks up and you politely ask them what is the dress code for your restaurant they will give you your answer.You will rarely find a dress code in the UK anymore. been to London on several occasions and the only time that there was a dress code was in a private club. it's normally smart casual
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A
male
reader, serenity80 +, writes (26 January 2012):
Smart casual is absolutely fine for what you describe.
Where a casual shirt which looks "smart" on you, along with a smart pair of jeans and (clean) shoes.
See if you can get a haircut a day or two before, remember to cut those finger nails and smell fresh.
You definitely don't need to wear a suit, or a tie, unless you are going to something more formal, such as a dinner party or wedding.
Good luck!
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (26 January 2012):
Dress like you would dress for church. If you are not religious, then dress like you would for graduation, a wedding, or other formal event. That doesn't mean a tuxedo (or even a tie) but wear slacks and a long-sleeved shirt with a collar. As someone else said, no jeans (unless with a tie and jacket) and no t-shirts. I would avoid trendy even if it's stylish. The patterned shirt and black chinos sounds fine. That's good enough for someone your age.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (26 January 2012): There comes a time in a man's life when he has to buy some decent clothes. You've reached it.You need: - a jacket, in a dark colour. Wool or microfibre. - some dress pants, chinos at a pinch, but a wool/polyester mix will drop more nicely and won't crease easily. Allow time to have the length altered. - a good cotton shirt with long sleeves and a collar which will take a tie. The basic theme should be white or another light colour, maybe with thin stripes. Don't get a shirt which requires cufflinks, that would match a different type of jacket. The cuffs of the shirt show maybe 1/4in below the jacket's cuffs. Wash and iron the shirt before use. - black leather shoes, shined, new looking laces - dark socks - black leather belt, not overly thick, discreet buckle. It should not be tight enough to spoil the drop of the pants. - an ironed unused handkerchief - a subtle thin wallet, in the inside pocket of the jacket containing ID, credit card and cash. A few dollar notes in the pants pocket for tips, use a big paperclip if you need to keep the notes under control. - cellphone goes in the jacket exterior pocket. You pull it out once -- to set it to silent -- and never touch it again in your date's presence.You needn't wear a tie to dinner with a friend, as it is assumed to be an informal occasion. If the restaurant requires a tie then it is the wrong place for this sort of meal. If you are nervous then place a tie in the exterior pocket of your jacket and if the staff remind you of the dress code simply apologise for forgetting and put the tie on -- good restaurant staff will assist, because they'll want you to look perfect. -- they are as willing to make your meal to go well as you are.You need a haircut the day before. Naturally you wash and shave before dinner. This isn't the first time to use the aftershave granny bought for you -- these days less is more and it's better to smell of soap than perfume. Deodorant is a must, but use the minimum to do the job.The aim here is to make an effort, to show that you have taste, and to avoid insulting your partner by failing to put in the effort which she has. So naturally this will take some effort, time and money (although if you have time, not as much money as you think).Do make sure everything else matches the clothes. So your language is free from profanity, your car is clean inside and washed outside, you don't order chips, and you make a good choice of drinks (I understand the drinking age in the USA is 21, so go with a sparkling mineral water).Have fun. There will be plenty of stuff on the menu you haven't tried before. So take the opportunity to taste one of those rather than going for something safe. Don't pretend to know everything -- the wait staff will be more than happy to guide you because having young people in on their first time somewhere sophisticated makes them think back to their own beginnings.Share how you feel with your guest. Make her part of the adventure -- confess you haven't done this before, discuss the menu choices. If there are unaffordable items, be upfront about that -- she won't want to see you embarrassed and if she knows where she stands then she isn't going to feel bound to choose the cheapest dish.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (25 January 2012): My Teens adore shopping @ H&M. They have affordable, chic fashions.
Wear Trousers or Chinos with a top underneath and a blazer.
Its wise to invest and a couple of blazers as they dress up denim and chinos and make take a trendy look and make it CRISP!
http://www.hm.com/gb/product/94227?article=94227-Q
http://www.hm.com/gb/product/97663?article=97663-B
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A
female
reader, person12345  +, writes (25 January 2012):
 Button down with chinos is always nice. No jeans and T-shirts basically. You can also wear a nice plain pullover sweater over a collared shirt with khakis or gray or black slacks.
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A
female
reader, eyeswideopen +, writes (25 January 2012):
 Really nice restaurants sometimes require a tie so I would wear one or bring one along. Do you have a nice sweater to wear over the shrirt and tie?
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A
female
reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (25 January 2012):
 the shirt if it's a nice button down with a collar and the chinos sound perfect and tuck the shirt in and wear a belt...
you can call the place and ask them what's appropriate...
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A
female
reader, PerhapsNot +, writes (25 January 2012):
 Go on the restaurant's web site and check if they have a dress code. If it's not listed, call their number and ask. If it doesn't have a dress code, but it's still an upscale place, dress pants and a dress shirt are a safe bet. No need for a tie. If you want to be a bit more youthful and trendier, you could do a dark wash jean, a V-cut tee and pair it with a nice blazer and dress shoes.
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A
male
reader, Sageoldguy1465 +, writes (25 January 2012):
 Pretty much the same thing(s) that an adult would wear to that same restaurant..... 1. a clean shirt (ironed, too, incidentally!), 2. neat, pressed slacks.... 3. shoes, 4. NO baseball hat!!!!
Bon appetit!!!!!
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