Dress Code Question - What Would You Do?

[laurabelle]

Thank you for the replies, everyone! For those asking, we're going in mid-August, so I'm sure I'll get very hot and sweaty during the day.

Right now I'm leaning toward packing a very light sundress in my bag along with some wipes, so that I can freshen up a little before dinner. The locker idea isn't bad either, but I don't really want to spend $8 to freshen up before a meal that's very expensive anyway. My boyfriend definitely won't be changing before dinner, so I wouldn't be splitting it with him either (I think he's just wearing slightly nicer park clothes).

He could always bring a fresh shirt to change into, and a swipe of deodorant.

 

[loves to dive]

As others have said, the dress codes are pretty lax and no reason to feel like you need to go back to the hotel or even carry extra clothes. Just wear a sundress, trust me, I wear them all the time and have no problems and no I don't wear shorts under them. Have your boyfriend wear a light weight cotton shirt or a moisture wicking shirt, some of those look pretty nice. Take some wipes in your bag and freshen up in the bathroom. You will be fine. We ate at Flying Fish last trip and the table across from us had a family with 3 kids. Mom had on running shorts and a tank top, Dad had on shorts and a tshirt, kids had on whatever kids wear (and were very noisy and badly behaved I might add). My son and I had gone back to the room to swim so we had a shower and changed clothes but we have eaten at the signatures in whatever we wore in the parks. We also did the dine in the sky thingy (can't remember the name) and wore what we had on in the parks. I had on capris and a cotton shirt, he had on khakis and a cotton shirt, we had worn them all day at the park. Mind you, it was in March so it wasn't so hot but still, it was what we wore to the parks.

 

[Coral Reef Diver]

We wear our park clothes to all dining at Disney. But we also don't dress quite as far down as many we see in the parks. I wear skirts and tank tops, DH wears shorts and polo shirts.

Yes, agreed. While we like to class it up at classy restaurants, we travel in February when it's more feasible to do that. For 90/90 days at WDW (temp, humid), I have no problem with guests compromising between comfort and style, but please, men in collared shirts, women in long shorts or skirts. Neither sex should wear short-shorts. Young children can wear whatever they want, if accompanied by a well dressed adult. IMO, a comfortable child will be less disruptive to my overall dining experience than a poorly dressed one.

Rule of thumb for dressing at signature restaurants: If you can wear it to the beach, it has no place in a fine dining restaurant.

 

[AngiTN]

DH wears what is ok for wear on a golf course. Seems to be fine. I know some here at Dis look down at it but the fact remains Disney has set dress guidelines, not rules. And that fits them. There just isn't a dress code, in the true sense of the word, at Signatures, outside of V&A. They ask guests to adhere to the guidelines, not require them to. There is a difference.

 

[ShellieMimi]

Yes, agreed. While we like to class it up at classy restaurants, we travel in February when it's more feasible to do that. For 90/90 days at WDW (temp, humid), I have no problem with guests compromising between comfort and style, but please, men in collared shirts, women in long shorts or skirts. Neither sex should wear short-shorts. Young children can wear whatever they want, if accompanied by a well dressed adult. IMO, a comfortable child will be less disruptive to my overall dining experience than a poorly dressed one.

Rule of thumb for dressing at signature restaurants: If you can wear it to the beach, it has no place in a fine dining restaurant.

What you do or don't have a problem with is irrelevant. Men need not wear collared shirts. Men and women can wear shorts (or skirts!) of any length.

 

[hakepb]

As others have said, the dress codes are pretty lax and no reason to feel like you need to go back to the hotel or even carry extra clothes. Just wear a sundress, trust me, I wear them all the time and have no problems and no I don't wear shorts under them. Have your boyfriend wear a light weight cotton shirt or a moisture wicking shirt, some of those look pretty nice. Take some wipes in your bag and freshen up in the bathroom. You will be fine. We ate at Flying Fish last trip and the table across from us had a family with 3 kids. Mom had on running shorts and a tank top, Dad had on shorts and a tshirt, kids had on whatever kids wear (and were very noisy and badly behaved I might add). My son and I had gone back to the room to swim so we had a shower and changed clothes but we have eaten at the signatures in whatever we wore in the parks. We also did the dine in the sky thingy (can't remember the name) and wore what we had on in the parks. I had on capris and a cotton shirt, he had on khakis and a cotton shirt, we had worn them all day at the park. Mind you, it was in March so it wasn't so hot but still, it was what we wore to the parks.

I'd rather wear a moisture wicking polo than a hot cotton T at Disney any hot day. Looking decent doesn't have to sacrifice comfort.

 

[NYCgrrl]

The with vs non collared mens' shirt "contretemps" to the side, I think it really boils down to this: If you have to ask if it's appropriate to wear an outfit it means you have inner doubts thus probably you shouldn't. The mind battle alone will make you feel uncomfortable even if no one says a word or makes eye contact a bit too long. Not everyone has the chutzpah/declasse (choice of adjectives on purpose) of Jayne Mansfield leaning over a table where Sophia Loren is seated.

 

[GreatLakes]

Unless I was planning to go back to the hotel anyway I would just wear what I wore to the park for dinner. Other than V&A where the dress code is enforced they are all guidelines and I don't dress in anything I wouldn't wear to dinner in the park anyway. Always a tshirt and shorts or jeans depending on the weather.

I just don't care what anyone else wears. It won't detract from my meal in any way if I even notice which is unlikely.

 

[laurabelle]

In my mind, I'm mostly thinking of the sweat/funk factor after being in a park in August. I would feel more comfortable freshening up in some way. I really don't care what others wear. You'll see every kind of outfit in Disney restaurants.

 

[Coral Reef Diver]

What you do or don't have a problem with is irrelevant.

I believe my opinions addressed the subject insightfully, and I wasn't the only responder providing input to the general nature of the OP's question.

I'm sorry if my opinions made you feel uncomfortable with your own dining attire choices. But just letting you know, and to address the OP's concerns for underdressing, others around you feel uncomfortable with your attire choices. But where else outside of Disney can one dine at a high class restaurant in beachwear? Nowhere. You've found your unique Disney adventure not found anywhere else. And isn't that what Disney touring is all about?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

They don't really have a dress code. There is a short list of prohibited attire. probably best to bring a change of clothes along, but if you don't want to bother, park attire is fine - so long as the guys don't wear tank tops and prepare to take off ball caps, and no cutoff shorts or clothing with holes in it. And yes, they allow flip flops (aka thong sandals) although there may be some issue if they look like pool attire when taken with the rest of the outfit.

 

[loves to dive]

I'd rather wear a moisture wicking polo than a hot cotton T at Disney any hot day. Looking decent doesn't have to sacrifice comfort.

Wasn't talking about a tshirt. My son wears cotton button up shirts in the summer all the time here in Georgia.

 

[ShellieMimi]

I believe my opinions addressed the subject insightfully, and I wasn't the only responder providing input to the general nature of the OP's question.

I'm sorry if my opinions made you feel uncomfortable with your own dining attire choices. But just letting you know, and to address the OP's concerns for underdressing, others around you feel uncomfortable with your attire choices. But where else outside of Disney can one dine at a high class restaurant in beachwear? Nowhere. You've found your unique Disney adventure not found anywhere else. And isn't that what Disney touring is all about?

They didn't. I dress up or I don't, whatever I feel like doing. But I don't care whether or not other people do and I really don't care whether or not "Coral Reef Diver" on the Disboards is more focused on me than on their own family. How sad. Try not being so concerned about what other people are doing.

P.S. There are no "high class restaurants" in Disney World outside of V&A, and they do have a dress code.

 

[AngiTN]

They didn't. I dress up or I don't, whatever I feel like doing. But I don't care whether or not other people do and I really don't care whether or not "Coral Reef Diver" on the Disboards is more focused on me than on their own family. How sad. Try not being so concerned about what other people are doing.

P.S. There are no "high class restaurants" in Disney World outside of V&A, and they do have a dress code.

 

[srauseo]

I like to dress up a little when going to a nice restaurant - particularly at the resorts. Dressing up doesn't have to mean uncomfortable or overheating. I have lots of dresses that are way more comfortable than shorts and a t-shirt. For guys - is a polo shirt really more uncomfortable than a t-shirt? My DH has some great looking polo shirts and button downs in soft, wicking/tech fabrics that he wears on hot days. He looks sharp and he's comfortable. I'll admit I sometimes wish people would put in a little more effort. We have swung really far toward casual on the meter - not that I want to go back to the days of pantyhose.

 

[marikujawa]

They didn't. I dress up or I don't, whatever I feel like doing. But I don't care whether or not other people do and I really don't care whether or not "Coral Reef Diver" on the Disboards is more focused on me than on their own family. How sad. Try not being so concerned about what other people are doing.

P.S. There are no "high class restaurants" in Disney World outside of V&A, and they do have a dress code.

Most people seem to have no problem focusing on themselves. I'm not sure that's such a good thing though.

 

[AngiTN]

The bottom line is wear what you are comfortable wearing, as long as it's not on the list of prohibited items
Dress up as much as you want. Or don't.
Don't worry about what others are wearing and for sure don't concern yourself with what others are thinking about what you are wearing. They are really the last people that you need to concern yourself with.

 

[AngiTN]

Most people seem to have no problem focusing on themselves. I'm not sure that's such a good thing though.

I am normally one who says that our society is way too self absorbed these days but when it comes to what someone else is wearing, this is one of times you should be self absorbed and not concerned about others.

 

[suzu]

Agree with earlier posters that you will see everything. We were at CG on Saturday from about 6:00-10:00 for cocktails and a long dinner and FW viewing. Dining attire became dressier as evening progressed.
I'd probably carry a change of clothes in a bag or opt for dressier park clothes. It's a pricey meal, so why not look the part of the celebration.

 

[NuJoy]

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