Ahhh, there’s nothing quite like a good old restaurant uniform. That boxy shirt, those stretchy pants, the crunchy apron, (in some cases) that distracting visor. The sheer boringness of the whole getup can make it hard to feel excited about doing a job that relies on the power of your personality to create a happy dining experience for your guests. In an industry where conversations and relationships are so important, it makes sense to want to find ways to add some personality to your less-than-special workday wardrobe.
Thankfully, we don’t just have to throw on our logoed polos and walk out the door pretending we love ‘em. A little creative accessorizing is really all you need to add some style to an otherwise yawn-inducing ensemble.
From funky food earrings to a swipe of bold red lipstick, here are six ways to spice up your food ‘n’ bev uniform while still maintaining your company’s guidelines.
- Customize your outfit so that it fits you properly and has details that reflect your style.
If your uniform is yours to keep forever and you plan on sticking around for a while, consider getting it tailored so that you can go to work feeling competent and confident. When your shirt isn’t a tent and your pants stay up without constant adjustments, you can use the time you save to focus on your customers!
It’s also nice to think about the ways that you can switch some of the elements of your uniform you might not have realized you could customize. Can you add a cluster of fun enamel pins to your visor, lanyard or apron? Are you able to put some sweet stickers on your nametag? Would sparkly buttons look better than the plain black ones you have on your polo? Food service is all about paying attention to detail, after all!
- Step into style and start a conversation with your tables by swapping out your basic black socks for a pair with more personality.
If you live and breathe food service, odds are basic black socks don’t fit your fun and outgoing personality. To help add a little spice to your look, consider switching out your solid socks for something more inspired.
Food socks are both a cool and practical way to show your passion for the industry. With so many styles to choose from, you can have a pair for Taco Tuesday, Pizza Friday and every occasion in between. Not only might they help you strike up the conversation with new customers, but they’ll also keep your regulars guessing what type of funky pair you’ll wear to work next!
- Add some layering pieces to keep you warm while bringing a little extra color and personality to the table.
Even if you’re working hard and the floor is packed, it can still be kind of cold inside a restaurant. Layering pieces like cardigans and long-sleeved shirts are such an easy way to spice up your uniform and keep you comfortable throughout your shift. While you probably want to stick to something that doesn’t outright clash with your uniform’s colors, you can generally have as much fun with colors and prints as you’d like.
- Wear your heart on your… hands with jazzy, attention-grabbing nail art.
If you’re into funky nail colors and the restaurant allows, a fresh coat of polish makes a great way to add an extra flash of personality to your look! If you’re a server or cashier and don’t have to wear disposable gloves as part of your uniform, you can choose color combos that complement your ensemble or something bold and different that stands out.
You can also get really creative with nail art by picking some thematic stickers in foodie-inspired designs, like little burgers and fries or milkshakes, that’ll look just as cute once you clock out for the night!
- Don’t forget to get creative with some trendy hair and makeup ideas.
While you might not have full control over the basic elements of your outfit, there are endless ways you can style your hair and do your makeup to inject a little personality into your overall look. Whether you want to get glam with a sleek updo or try out that brand new cherry red lipstick you just bought, don’t be afraid to bring some boldness to your look. You can even add a little bit of sparkle and sweetness with rhinestone hair clips or hairpins in cute, food-inspired designs.
- Finish the look with bold accessories inspired by your favorite items on the menu.
If your outfit is a scoop of vanilla ice cream, then your accessories are the hot fudge and sprinkles. While people often have preconceived notions of how servers should dress, that shouldn’t prevent you from making your uniform your own with different types of accessories that fit your unique style. Whether it’s a bold belt that keeps your pants up in style or a quirky pair of food earrings that punch up your look, build your own sundae however you’ll enjoy it best!
Spicy Style
Someone probably spent a lot of time researching restaurant uniform ideas in order to find the option that best matches the atmosphere for the place you work, so while it’s so nice to be able to inject a little personality into your food ‘n’ bev uniform, it’s also really important to respect the effort that went into creating it. The last thing you want is to be forced to change, or even sent home for the night, by straying too far from the guidelines, so read the employee handbook to make sure your adorable accessories and funky nail art follow the rules. That way, you can express yourself at work without worry!
