I'm not going to admit anything about any previous employment I may or may not have been party to.
That being said, I know a bit about Hooters Girls, and I can tell you that a lot of people have an image of the place that's nowhere near reality. I can't tell you how many "boys nights out" or bachelor party groups arrive at any given Hooters location every week expecting ... well, expecting something that Hooters is not.
It's not a loud, trashy, smoke-filled, sexual harassment lawsuit in progress. The "Hooters Girl Image" is supposed to be All-American girl next door mixed with California surfer chick. The employee handbook has more rules and regulations concerning dress code than some offices I've worked in!
No tattoos, no body or facial piercing (including tongue), only two earrings per ear. One necklace is allowed but it must be a thin chain or small pendant or locket. No chokers, beads, or collars. Hair is always to be worn loose but "styled" (we never did figure out what this meant, but they seem to want you to use hairspray), no ponytails or pigtails, no headbands or scrunchies, no large hair clips. Makeup must be worn to emphasize the features, but cannot be over-the-top. If you show up sporting the Tammy Faye look, you get sent into the washroom to tone it down. Your fingernails have to be short and clean; fake nails are only allowed providing they aren't too long or noticable. No weird nailpolish colors such as metallics, black, blue, etc. Only reds, pinks, and neutral colors, and all nails must be painted the same color. No nail art or nail jewelry.
The Hooters Girl tank top must be worn "sized to fit" which means not loose and baggy but also NOT a few sizes too small, no trailer trash look. Shirt must be tucked into shorts at ALL times -- absolutely no midriff showing, ever. Shorts must also be fitted properly so as not to be too loose (if another girl's slim hand can easily fit between your shorts leg opening and your skin, it's too loose, and that way they ensure that it's unlikely a man's larger hand could fit either) and not too tight either; no "cheek" showing, no plumber's butt, and it should not be possible to tell what type of panties you're wearing underneath. Panties are about the only garment that Hooters doesn't regulate, because they feel that if your underwear or pantyline is visible in any manner, then your shorts are unacceptably tight. You absolutely must wear a bra at all times no matter what size your breasts are, and I did meet several Hooters Girls with athletic builds and small chests who probably didn't need a bra normally. The bra can only be white or nude-colored; no black (because the tank top is white) or other colors. There are to be no bra straps showing at any time. You must always wear pantyhose under your shorts even during warm weather, and the hose have to be the "tanned" color; no nude or black hose. The only socks allowed are those ubiquitous white ankle socks sold in packs of 6 at Wal-Mart. Finally, your shoes must be white sneakers or hi-tops, made of leather or faux leather; no canvas and no mesh. Any logo or brand label on your sneaker must be small and not overpower the design of the shoe.
Hooters Girls aren't even close to resembling cocktail waitresses in short skirts and high heels. The company has a very specific "wholesome" image they want the girls to fit into. In a lot of ways it's a much safer, less trashy, and more appropriate place for a girl to work than the local neighborhood bar.
