Here’s a scenario. You and a group of friends plan a fun night out at the hip, new celebrity-endorsed restaurant. You call to set a reservation and the hostess kindly reminds you that the restaurant has a strict dress code “upscale attire”. If you’re like me you pause to process the subjective phrase. You consider the numerous possibilities…the awkward pause eventually culminates with a humbling response, “so what exactly is your upscale attire”?
Feel my pain? Come join me on my confusing journey to unravel the “upscale attire”.
Turns out upscale attire has a pretty broad meaning. I first turned to the finest fashion expert I know, my wife. She simply explained that upscale attire means “dress to impress”. OK, now I have two ambiguous phrases that require clarification. After wisely nodding agreeably, I pivoted to a new strategy and reached out to a few fashionable, classy SoCal restaurants for insight. The first explained that upscale attire means fitted jeans and a nice button-down dress shirt. Wait, I thought that was “Business Casual”? Some restaurants said it loosely translates to No Jeans and No tee-shirts yet not quite a suit. Most recommended sport coat and dress slacks as proper upscale attire.
Sidebar: Whatever happened to the classic (straight-forward) dress codes “Jackets Required” or “Black Tie”?
As the phrase implies, upscale attire most often refers to dressing a cut above worn jeans, t-shirts, baseball caps and shorts. Yet, upscale attire does not suggest busting out the classic suit, formal tie and fedora. Typically, upscale attire refers to dressing for occasions outside the professional office. A proper suit, formal tie and cuff links would nearly always be considered too stiff or stuffy for an occasion calling for upscale attire.
OK, so what to wear? We’ve established it’s not the suit. Instead consider a fitted, stylish and modern blazer. For slacks go with pressed pants. No sneakers. Go with the Oxford or Loafer dress shoe. Accessories are optional – maybe a smart scarf, watch or necklace. Although a business tie is typically not worn, a fun, whimsical bowtie is welcomed.
Couple final tidbits – in my quest I learned phrases like “Dress To Impress”, “Club Attire” and “Cocktail-Party Attire” fall under the same upscale attire heading. The one simple rule I live by is whenever there’s confusion dress Up not Down. I doubt anyone will to tell you look too good. In my experience looking sharp and smart at functions has never diminished my self-confidence. The awkward and dreadful feeling exists only in settings where I’m underdressed.