Dress Code Question - What Would You Do?

[ShirikiUtundu]

Gym shorts are no more comfortable than a twill or chino short which is perfectly acceptable. The dress code is extremely lenient. You seem to be stuck on the idea of "fancy" clothes since you've mentioned it multiple times. You don't need anything fancy. But you can do better than gym shorts. I mean seriously.

 

[Verity213]

Gym shorts are no more comfortable than a twill or chino short which is perfectly acceptable. The dress code is extremely lenient. You seem to be stuck on the idea of "fancy" clothes since you've mentioned it multiple times. You don't need anything fancy. But you can do better than gym shorts. I mean seriously.

I shouldn't have used the word fancy. Poor word choice! I just mean slightly nicer clothes (as mentioned in the dress code recommendations). Don't worry – I'm not thinking we're supposed to show up in cocktail dresses and suits/ties.

I also disagree on your statement that gym shorts are no more comfortable than twill shorts. To me, they're miles apart. But everyone is different when it comes to comfort!

 

[NuJoy]

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[Regan117]

It's certainly inconvenient for someone in my situation. Since I'll be walking around a theme park all day in August in FL, I want to dress as comfortably as possible. To me, that means a t-shirt and athletic shorts (they're not super short, by the way). To fulfill the restaurant's guidelines, since I'm staying off-site, I'd need to choose one of a few inconvenient options: (1) carry around fancy clothes all day, (2) pay an extra $8 for a locker on top of the pricey meal, (3) pay for a round-trip uber to shower and change, or (4) dress in less comfortable clothes at the park. A lot of people have mentioned that you can wear slightly nicer clothes to the park to fulfill the requirement, but most of the options they suggest are not as comfy as athletic shorts in my opinion. For some, I'm sure that would be a great option! But I don't want to feel less comfortable all day in order to fulfill a restaurant's (very lenient) dress code for dinner. Especially if I'm going to show up and see a lot of other casually dressed diners, as disneyvoice mentioned she saw at Jiko.

I'm still thinking I'll pack a dress in my bag, but I wanted to address this comment since I've seen a few like it. It CAN be hard to abide by the dress code when you're staying off-site, trying to save money, and wanting to make the most of your time. Especially when nothing's really at stake. They're just clothes!

My thoughts aside, I don't understand why you're asking for ideas and opinions here if you're just going to do and wear what you want anyway? If you want to wear athletic shorts and be sweaty, then do that. I wouldn't and neither would many others...but you asked for their opinions.

 

[AngiTN]

I shouldn't have used the word fancy. Poor word choice! I just mean slightly nicer clothes (as mentioned in the dress code recommendations). Don't worry – I'm not thinking we're supposed to show up in cocktail dresses and suits/ties.

I also disagree on your statement that gym shorts are no more comfortable than twill shorts. To me, they're miles apart. But everyone is different when it comes to comfort!

While I'm in the wear what you want camp it is worth pointing out there are fabric choices that fall in between the gym short and twill short options. And they are quite comfortable, cool, comfortable and perfect for a hot day at the theme parks.

 

[Verity213]

My thoughts aside, I don't understand why you're asking for ideas and opinions here if you're just going to do and wear what you want anyway? If you want to wear athletic shorts and be sweaty, then do that. I wouldn't and neither would many others...but you asked for their opinions.

Point taken. You're totally right. I think my feathers just got a little ruffled. And I was also curious about how many people actually adhere to the dress code, i.e., would I stand out like a sore thumb or just be one of many people who choose to wear casual clothes to signature restaurants? When I first posted the question, I wasn't sure what to do. People's responses have definitely shaped my opinion (to pack a dress and wipes in my bag).

 

[AngiTN]

Point taken. You're totally right. I think my feathers just got a little ruffled. And I was also curious about how many people actually adhere to the dress code, i.e., would I stand out like a sore thumb or just be one of many people who choose to wear casual clothes to signature restaurants?

That is actually a very good way to phrase the question.
And really, I think Disney did start out to try and have a different, more strict dress code for the Signature restaurants. But then they realized that it was not very practical because not everyone who travels to Disney can bring different clothes with them and even then not everyone who does can wear them if they've been in the park all day. It's not always possible to go to the resort before going to eat. Especially when you consider you can't directly travel resort to resort on Disney transportation. It's really easy (for some around here especially) to say, then don't go eat at signature if you can't adhere to the rules. But Disney didn't seem to like to exclude guests from dining at some locations. So they relaxed things and made it where people were welcome right from the parks. I just can't be bent out of shape to have a way to have more guests welcome. Sure better than having so few guests being able to dine they have to close

 

[Princess Mulan]

While I'm in the wear what you want camp it is worth pointing out there are fabric choices that fall in between the gym short and twill short options. And they are quite comfortable, cool, comfortable and perfect for a hot day at the theme parks.

I agree! Today's tech fabrics are cool, stretchy, thin, moisture-wicking, wash and wear: everything that makes them perfect for travel and the parks. The bonus is that the fabrics are made in lots of styles that are multi-functional. Today's activewear shirts, pants, shorts and skorts are more comfortable than what I wore to the gym just a few years ago. I applaud the progress made in fabrics and activewear!

 

[AngiTN]

And they pack so well too! No wrinkles. Or any they get fall right out as soon as you put them on. Light and take up little space. Just all around perfect for travel.

 

[NuJoy]

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[MakiraMarlena]

WDW tee shirts and mouse ears are not on the signature restaurants' prohibited items list.

I guess to me if a restaurant has guidelines then they are hoping/asking for diners to cooperate. Is it so hard?

No. But they won't kick you out if you show up in a tee shirt and mouse ears, or tell you to go and change. In fact, they won't say anything. And yes, it can be very inconvenient to go back to your resort or home and change. Disney knows this, that's why they won't kick you out. (Minnie vans can help with this but it'll cost 40 bucks to take one to the resort and then one to the restaurant.) Hoping/asking doesn't mean mandatory. Victoria and Alberts will, however, deny you entrance if you don't follow their dress code, although they've been known to do things like provide a loaner jacket to men who show up without one. But the other signatures won't. I'm a little bit surprised (just a little bit) they let in a guy in a tank top, but I'm not surprised at all that they would let in a young kid in pajama bottoms, which isn't worth pissing off the customers over. I wonder how they would handle an adult in pajama bottoms since it's not on the prohibited list.

and yes, I've been to the signatures in shorts and a tee shirt, when I've made the decision to go to a signature at the last minute and without a reservation (yes, I do that). No one has ever said anything. as for what they say behind my back I don't really care.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Don't you want to shower and look and feel nice?
Why spend all the money on signature dining if you are just going to treat it like dining at Cosmic Rays?

Some of us eat at signature restaurants for the food rather than the experience. That's why the money is spent. I do dress up but if I was wearing running shorts and had the choice between a Michelin star and McDonald's, the running shorts would not stop me from choosing the Michelin establishment.

I do agree about the weather though. If this is summer, I need a shower and a change of clothes to feel human again in the evening.

Edit: didn't vote. You didn't have my choice- the dresses I wear to the park are cooler than my shorts, so I just go straight from park to restaurant if I don't have time for a shower. The dress code at Wdw restaurants is practically nonexistent and I really don't see many people dressed up by even seattle standards which which sets the bar low indeed. I worry a lot less about dressing up at Wdw than I would in Chicago or Boston for that reason.

 

[marikujawa]

WDW tee shirts and mouse ears are not on the signature restaurants' prohibited items list.





No. But they won't kick you out if you show up in a tee shirt and mouse ears, or tell you to go and change. In fact, they won't say anything. And yes, it can be very inconvenient to go back to your resort or home and change. Disney knows this, that's why they won't kick you out. (Minnie vans can help with this but it'll cost 40 bucks to take one to the resort and then one to the restaurant.) Hoping/asking doesn't mean mandatory. Victoria and Alberts will, however, deny you entrance if you don't follow their dress code, although they've been known to do things like provide a loaner jacket to men who show up without one. But the other signatures won't. I'm a little bit surprised (just a little bit) they let in a guy in a tank top, but I'm not surprised at all that they would let in a young kid in pajama bottoms, which isn't worth pissing off the customers over. I wonder how they would handle an adult in pajama bottoms since it's not on the prohibited list.

and yes, I've been to the signatures in shorts and a tee shirt, when I've made the decision to go to a signature at the last minute and without a reservation (yes, I do that). No one has ever said anything. as for what they say behind my back I don't really care.

Pajamas are not expressly prohibited even though some people wear them outside. Maybe restaurants haven't caught up with the times yet and still put wearing pajamas in the same category as showing up in your underwear - they assume people will get dressed for the day before going out to dinner.
On the other hand, I have a lovely pair of silk pajamas and an upcoming reservation at Flying Fish. Look for my report mid-November.

 

[TeresaWen]

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.

This is the very simple and straight forward answer.

I wear something that makes me happy. I love dressing up. My husband not so much. It is vacation. It should be fun. He always looks neat and tidy. Just not dressed up.

we just got back from Mexico. One restaurant on property had a strict dress code. Required long pants and dress shoes and collared shirt for men. He was more than happy to comply. Once funny thing is no specific code for women

 

[AngiTN]

This is the very simple and straight forward answer.

I wear something that makes me happy. I love dressing up. My husband not so much. It is vacation. It should be fun. He always looks neat and tidy. Just not dressed up.

we just got back from Mexico. One restaurant on property had a strict dress code. Required long pants and dress shoes and collared shirt for men. He was more than happy to comply. Once funny thing is no specific code for women

You know, I bet they figured out that most of the time, women are naturally more inclined to dress up more than men so they felt they needed to specify what men should wear and left to their own devices, women exceeded what they set as a minimum all on their own.

 

[TeresaWen]

You know, I bet they figured out that most of the time, women are naturally more inclined to dress up more than men so they felt they needed to specify what men should wear and left to their own devices, women exceeded what they set as a minimum all on their own.

So true. So many men adhered to the strict letter but not the spirit of it. The women were way dressed up. Fun

 

[GillianP1301]

The dress code at Disney signature restaurants is very relaxed and you will see everything from park clothes to dresses and dress shirts/ties. For the question asked by OP, I would probably go with park clothes, likely with a change of shirt in the car. I would wear a skort or sundress instead of shorts that day and for men, I would go with a polo type shirt instead of a T-shirt.

 

[gogo]

I used to make my son wear a shirt with a collar to signatures but after seeing so many people not follow the dress code for years, I let up and told him he could start wearing t-shirts as long as they were on the plain side or no loud graphics. I think it's easy for women to look dress code appropriate because you can wear casual skirts/sandals, capris, etc. I guess I'm in the minority but I enjoy seeing people cleaned up a bit at a signature. If they are not, it doesn't ruin my experience, but I just think it's nice. I guess I am a little old fashioned. I don't think its a big effort to change into a casual skirt or dress shorts from gym shorts.

Once at Shulas on a Friday night there was a man with a sweatshirt/hoodie on. I'm not going to lie, I think he stood out. And, I get not caring what strangers think, but there is nothing wrong with adhering to dress codes that a restaurant posts. I think as humans, as much as some may deny it, most care what others think at varying degrees. Disney is very lax with their dress codes at Signatures so very little would be required in order to feel comfortable.

OP, there's nothing wrong in asking for others opinions. Hope you have a nice time!

 

[rosiebean]

Dress codes are pretty lax at WDW, but I'd still personally want to clean up a bit after a day in the park, especially in August.

I'm also not someone to dress up, but I wouldn't be comfortable wearing gym shorts and a t-shirt to a signature. I've never seen anyone dressed down that much at one (though my family tends to eat later at night at signatures, and anecdotally, people start dressing up more for later seatings). I've seen lots of polo style shirts on men and 'dressy' shorts, sundresses or capri's and nice tops on women, and have also seen people dressed in suits (men) and more formal dresses (usually couples on an obvious 'fancy' date).

What I'd do is wear comfy sandals to the park that day and bundle a lightweight, wrinkle-free dress into a backpack to put on before my ADR...I own several like these and often wear them at WDW when we're doing a combo of late afternoon park time and dinner after. I also have to say, I have a little quilted black backpack that's my go-to bag for WDW. It's lightweight, holds the little I might need during the day, and is 'dressy' enough to use if we go out to a nicer place for dinner. I'd also bring wipes to clean up with before changing clothes, and I'd re-do or put on a little makeup before dining if I chose not to wear any that day. That's just me. Everyone is different!

 

[Pumbaa_]

Folks remember to be nice

Do not project your issues on the op
And yes, I chose issues deliberately

Be nice. You can have a different opinion without getting mean or nasty

If your post is gone then yes, I poofed it