To the Nines: How To Dress for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Meal

Planning to dine at a top-tier restaurant? This guide offers tips on dressing appropriately for a once-in-a-lifetime meal. Key points include understanding the restaurant’s dress code, taking inspiration from iconic movie scenes, selecting practical and elegant accessories, and prioritizing comfort. Recommendations suggest opting for stretchy, forgiving materials and avoiding difficult-to-clean fabrics. Ultimately, the focus is on enjoying the dining experience without wardrobe worries.

Know the dress code

Just because a restaurant serves gourmet items at premium prices doesn’t necessarily mean they enforce a formal dress code. Some restaurants are relaxed and casual, while the cuisine is elevated and groundbreaking. You may find the dress code on the restaurant’s website or on a reservation platform. In addition, you may be able to search restaurant reviews for other diners’ observations about dress code. When in doubt, call the restaurant and ask.

A “casual” dress code typically means a blouse and fitted jeans for women and a polo shirt and tailored jeans or khakis for men. “Business casual” usually means dress slacks, skirts, and tailored dresses for women, and it means collared shirts and trousers for men. “Casual elegant” is a more dressed-up version of casual attire, while “formal” means that you should wear your best.

Restaurants calling for “jackets required” will expect formal wear, and they want men to wear a suit jacket. Some restaurants actually have an “anything goes” dress code, so you’ll be able to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable – within reason. The fashion blog Who What Wear says women can’t go wrong with a silk dress and printed heels, suiting and fun accessories, or an elegant midi skirt and cashmere knit. The Dark Knot blog says men will always impress by choosing dress shirts with skinny ties or chinos with blazers.

Get some inspiration

One of our favourite places to look for dining inspiration is Hollywood. By reflecting on some of the most iconic movie and television scenes that take place in restaurants, you can get some fun ideas for your once-in-a-lifetime meal attire.

For example, in the iconic film Pretty Woman, Vivian played by Julia Roberts and Edward played by Richard Gere dine in a restaurant called The Voltaire. While Vivian wears a lacy, fitted black dress with a scoop neck and short, off-the-shoulder sleeves, Edward wears a dapper black suit.

The long-running TV series Sex and the City is another excellent example for stylish women since the four SATC ladies were always dining at the hottest establishments all over Manhattan. In season one, Samantha and Carrie try to get a table at Balzac, “which had overnight become the only restaurant that mattered”. Samantha wears an elegant olive-green skirt suit, while Carrie wears a cobalt-blue spaghetti strap dress.

Consider your accessories

When getting ready for your once-in-a-lifetime meal, you’ll want to remember that your choice of accessories is just as important as your clothing. First and foremost, you’ll want to opt for accessories that won’t interfere with your eating experience. For example, long, dangling pendant necklaces and droopy bracelets are not recommended, since they may fall onto your plate.

Many restaurants utilize dim mood lighting, so any bright colours you wear will look muted. However, jewellery always sparkles and dazzles, especially in candlelight. Pearls are a reliable choice since they seem to glow in the light of a small flame. Did you know that the Ancient Romans valued pearls over diamonds? Of course, the Romans who could afford precious pearls spent their days lounging around, eating juicy grapes by the flame of a torch. They knew a thing or two about looking chic in candlelight!

We recommend a custom cultured pearl necklace from Add-A-Pearl. If you don’t already have a pearl necklace, then you can treat yourself to one of the starter necklaces, which features one lustrous pearl. Then, when you enjoy your next memorable meal, you can purchase another pearl and add it to your original necklace. Whenever you wear your necklace, you’ll be reminded of all the spectacular meals you’ve enjoyed throughout your life.

Above all, be practical

We understand that you want to look fashionable and chic, worthy of your surroundings and the amazing food placed before you. However, you’ll also want to be practical and realistic.

Eating a multi-course meal is going to expand your belly and leave you feeling full. The evening of your dinner may not be a great time to wear a form-fitting dress or slim-fit slacks. Instead, opt for forgiving materials that have stretch and elasticity, so you can feel completely comfortable as you work your way through your meal. Eating isn’t fun when you’re feeling constricted by your clothing.

You should also be aware that you might accidentally spill food or wine on yourself, so try to avoid anything light-coloured or that’s difficult to clean. Linen, rayon, and silk are notoriously hard to wash.

Now that you’ve read our suggestions, do you know what to wear? Try on a few outfits for a trusted friend or family member and get that person’s opinion before you commit to an outfit. Alternatively, you can post a photo of yourself on social media and ask your followers to give you advice.

Whatever you decide, keep your focus on the food and all the amazing aromas and flavours. Years from now, you probably won’t even remember what you wore to the restaurant, but you’ll certainly remember the delicious dishes you were able to enjoy.