Waiter & Waitress Outfit Options: What to Consider When Choosing Your Bar Staff Uniforms

A uniform says it all and what a waiter or waitress wears can make a customer feel instantly at ease. Clean and pressed clothing is a must for the job. A waiter or waitress outfit with a neat, tidy appearance sets the tone for a wonderful afternoon or evening ahead for diners. 

Black shoes, aprons and trousers are synonymous with class and elegance. They work well with most other colours and add the professional touch that the hospitality industry is known for. Moreover, since your waiters and waitresses regularly interact with the public, their outfits must conform to certain rules of etiquette and professionalism, which require black or other dark colours. 

If you are looking for ways to update your waiters’ or waitresses’ outfits, our durable, high-quality Shoes For Crews styles will help make your restaurant shine. Read on to find out what elements you should consider when choosing your bar staff outfits. 

Tops 

A waitress or waiter outfit needs to be comfortable and easy to work in. Shirts that are easy to clean are also important to consider, as spills and minor kitchen accidents happen on a daily basis. Remember, wait staff does a job that requires them to be physically active: 

• Standing and walking for long periods of time 

• Handling food, which can cause stains 

• Lifting large buckets and crates and carrying heavy trays 

Let us take a look at the different types of shirts that might be included in a waiter or waitress outfit. 

Button-up shirts 

For more modern waiter or waitress uniforms, restaurants, hotels and cafés are embracing contemporary styles as well as functionality. This type of button-up shirt can be made from newer materials with stain-resistant properties. An easy-to-clean shirt will be more likely to stand the test of a busy day in any establishment.  

Polo shirts 

This style of shirt has also grown in popularity over the years and is sometimes the preferred option for restaurants wishing to display a logo to add a touch of branding. Looser fitting than a button-up shirt, a polo shirt can provide the comfort and breathability that waiters and waitresses need to get through a busy shift on a hot day. 

Crisp, white shirts

Upscale restaurants and hotels prefer to choose a more refined and traditional look to complement formal dining experiences. A crisp, white shirt conveys elegance and professionalism, two timeless traits for classic uniforms. 

Bottoms 

The choice of bottoms in a waiter or waitress outfit also depends on the type of establishment. Formal, modern and casual restaurants will all have specific rules of length, fit and style to align to suit their dress code. Tops strongly influence the type of bottoms and should be matched accordingly. 

Trousers 

Casual restaurants are more relaxed and this is reflected in the type of uniform. The aim of casual dining is to strike a balance between style and comfort, where jeans or khakis are worn. In modern establishments, different colours of trousers may be worn, provided they complement the rest of the outfit. In more traditional or upscale restaurants, black or dress trousers are preferred for waiters. 

Skirts 

Skirts are often paired with blouses to convey a sophisticated look in formal restaurants and hotels. Styles vary by length and are subject to different rules that a restaurant may enforce. Pencil skirts are common in waitress outfits in modern restaurants. With this element, it is important to choose a skirt that reflects the style of the place, thus streamlining the dining experience. 

Accessories 

The small details of a waiter or waitress outfit are the all-important finishing touches. Choosing the right accessories is key and helps create a more cohesive and complete uniform. The following items are the most common accessories for waiters and waitresses. 

Aprons 

When deciding on the right apron, look for styles that offer different sized pockets to store essential items such as order pads, pens and pencils, and keys. Coordinating the colour and design adds visual appeal to promote a cohesive look. Easy-to-clean and stain-resistant aprons will help your waiters and waitresses maintain an impeccable appearance throughout the day. 

Ties 

For formal settings, a tie can be a great complement to a uniform. Adding this accessory to a waiter or waitress outfit will depend on the length and colour preferred by your establishment. The aim is to emphasise elegance and pay close attention to detail to maintain a sense of refinement that matches the cuisine and ambiance. 

Footwear 

Trainers

Athletic shoes such as trainers are designed to support servers who do it all: bending, walking, running and standing. Many styles in our trainers’ range are lightweight and feature removable insoles, padded collars and tongues and synthetic mesh or knitted uppers to help keep feet cool. The wider heels provide extra comfort and traction so your waiters and waitresses can carry on working with confidence, whatever the challenge. 

Casual 

In casual atmospheres, waiters and waitresses need shoes that offer great functionality during long shifts. Footwear styles that offer an easy-to-clean surface, ample cushioning and removable insoles help wait staff get through the day with ease. It is best to choose a black or dark-coloured short heel shoe that will hide the inevitable spills and stains that go along with working in a bar, pub or restaurant.  

Formal 

Formal footwear is often made from leather or leather-like materials to provide breathability. At Shoes For Crews, our extra-cushioned removable insoles provide the comfort and support your waiters and waitresses need to move throughout their days with ease. Each style comes equipped with our superior slip-resistant outsole technology to keep your staff safe and protect against slips and falls on wet surfaces in bars and restaurants.

At Shoes For Crews, we are passionate about creating footwear that provides optimal safety and comfort. If you would like more information about the features our styles offer and which ones would be right for your staff, please contact one of our experts or browse our range or download our Catalogue to see specific styles for the hospitality industry.