6 Dress Codes on What to Wear to a Fancy Dinner

Going to a fine dining restaurant to enjoy a fancy dinner is a unique experience. However, if you don’t do it often, you might be wondering if you will need to dress up to visit the restaurant you have chosen.
Many restaurants have a dress code for their guests because they want them to step out of their daily routine, and to step into the extraordinary world of fine dining for a few hours. You simply can’t wear ordinary clothes while you savour one of the best meals you have ever eaten, as the experience would not be complete.
If you are wondering what to wear to a fancy dinner, this article will help you figure it out.
1. If the restaurant has no dress code
Some fancy restaurants have no dress code, which doesn’t mean you can go dine in your pyjamas, or dress up as if you were going to spend the day at the beach. You should simply wear clean, casual clothes that have no holes, and no stains.
If you don’t know what to wear to a fancy dinner, make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes first and foremost. If you don’t feel comfortable in whatever you are wearing, you will act uneasy, and everyone will notice.
2. If the restaurant has a casual dress code
Keep in mind that the casual dress code of a restaurant where you can enjoy a fancy dinner is not the same as your own casual dress code. You will need to dress up at least a bit.
Men should wear a Polo shirt or a dress shirt, and either fitted jeans or dress pants, with clean shoes. Jackets are not necessary.
Women should wear a dress shirt with either fitted jeans, dress pants, or a skirt. A knee-length dress can also make a great option for a casual dress code.
The key is to wear comfortable clothes you feel confident in, so you can look and feel your best.
3. If the dress code is casual yet elegant
If a restaurant has a casual elegant dress code, it means you should dress up a bit more and take things to the next level. While casual usually calls for light colours, casual elegant calls for darker ones.
Men can wear a suit, or simply a dress shirt with dress pants and an elegant vest. Wearing a tie is not required, but the right tie can make all the difference. Leather shoes will be a perfect complement to a casual elegant outfit.
Women can wear a similar outfit, or better yet, an elegant black dress with a clutch, and a beautiful necklace. Depending on their personal taste, they can wear some bold makeup, or go for a more natural look.
4. If the dress code is formal
If you don’t know what to wear to a fancy dinner with a formal dress code, you should start doing research. When a restaurant or a special event calls for formal attire, both men and women have to make an extra effort to look their very best.
Men should wear a suit, and women should wear a stylish dress. When a fancy dinner requires black tie attire or white tie attire, men should wear a tuxedo, and women should go for a long gown.
A formal dress code can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. How often do you have the occasion to wear a tuxedo or a ball gown? If you don’t own a tuxedo or a ravishing dress, you can simply rent one for the night, and see it as a fun and unusual experience.
5. If a jacket is required
If a restaurant mentions that a jacket is required, it means that both men and women are expected to wear formal clothes, and that men are also expected to wear a matching jacket.
To dine at a fancy restaurant or to attend a special event where formal wear and a jacket are required, you need to focus on elegance, but you should still be able to find formal clothes you can feel comfortable in. You will be expected to dress up and look your best, not to disguise yourself and to pretend to be someone you are not.
6. If you have no idea if the restaurant has a dress code
If you don’t know if the restaurant you will be visiting has a dress code, don’t hesitate to look for the information on their website, or to call them and to ask about their dress code.
If there is no information on their website, or if what they tell you about their dress code is unclear, you should wear elegant clothes, the type of clothes you usually keep for special occasions.
After all, going out for a fancy dinner is a special occasion, and dressing up in some of your best clothes will only add some magic to your evening, for a truly unforgettable experience.