Dressing Up For Dinner...

I hate dressing up. HATE. In a perfect world, at least my version of it, newish jeans and a polo shirt would qualify as dressing up.

But we're planning on Jiko in November, so I guess I need to pack something nicer than the usual park-touring shorts and T-shirts. And decent shoes, also. I sure hope the food is worth it.

Jiko is worth it...Was my DS favourite restaurant in 2010 and I intend to make an ADR tomorrow for our 180 day window..

I have always done one Signature restaurant each visit and I love to dress up...after all it is only once. However I will tell you that last October we (4 adults) went to Narcoossee's and it states that it is "business casual". So we dressed up..the girls in skirts and dressy sandals and the guys in long pants and golf shirts. Well let me tell you we saw people there in jeans and shorts...very, very disappointing. If they say they have this 'business casual' dress code they need to make sure that people are dressed correctly. I have been to California Grill one other time and I'm going again in May and I will dress up in a skirt or nice dress slacks and I will be curious to see how others are dressed.
So just be prepared that they may not all be dressed appropriately.

I loveee dressing up! And my normal park attire actually already includes a sun dress and comfortable sandals. This makes it super easy for any dinner reservations we have because then we don't have to go back to the room after park time if we don't feel like it. Now if only I could get the BF to do this as well we'd be set!

....Our signature experience nights are limited..But I never seen anyone in jeans or shorty shorts or T shirts at Jiko or Cali Grill..I agree that it's nice to make an effort...I've had a pair of cream pants that I've never worn ( they look like 70's ) But my DW is getting a dress maker to make them into 3/4 length pants. ( just above my knee ). I hope that's appropriate ...

If it requires grown up pants then i am probably out ...

Ach yer just being Goofy ya big Grumpy...LOL...Get yer pants looked out..Spruce yerself up..And smell the pixie dust...

What no kilt? Shame on you!

Hmmm...That would be KFVVSHP.....( King Fergus Very Very Scary Halloween Party )

We always dress up for signature restaurants. I've worn a cocktail dress, sundress, dress slacks, etc and DH has worn dress pants, shirt/tie, or dress shorts with a blazer....it depends on where we dine and the theme. I love dressing up though!!!

I'm with you CCP, I HATE dressing up. I went to Catholic school for 12 years which = 12 years of uniforms. Dress jumpers or skirts only for the girls of course. After graduation, I vowed to never wear a dress or skirt again except on my wedding day. And I can announce that 20 years later, I have only worn one dress or skirt since HS graduation~My wedding dress. There is no food or restaurant in this world that is worth it to me to adhere to a dress code. My money is just as good when in comes out of my jeans pocket! I always look put together, clean, hair and makeup done. If you want to dress up, have at it and get dressed to the nines. But, I think it's crazy that I can't wear nice jeans to dinner at certain restaurants.

I think dress codes in restaurants are ridiculous when people are on vacation in FLORIDA, except the "no shirts, no shoes no service" rule! I live in Florida, and you're lucky if people are fully dressed in restaurants, let alone with a tie and jacket. Every time DH and I go out to eat there's at least one person in a bathing suit top or tube top, even at nice sit down restaurants. I can also say that what a stranger is wearing in a restaurant doesn't affect our dining experience at all!

I believe there is something to be said for making a night special. I think it can make things exciting, kinda of a grown up prom night. I realize it's vacation, but I like variety in my experiences including dining. So shorts by day and slacks at night works great for me.

I thought I was the only one who hated dressing up! I'm the type that likes to dress down. I don't want to wear a suit, collared shirt and a tie or a tuxedo when it's scorching hot in Florida! I can only imagine the worst thing for diners to experience not only seeing a fashion faux pas, but to smell someone's sweat and odor near them. I mean, Victoria and Alberts is out the question anyway because of price. But for signature dining, well, I suppose I could wear a polo shirt and maybe one pair of nice pants that are not really formal. At least that's how I would want to appear at a signature dining place and...I wouldn't dine there on a day where I'm spending time in the theme parks. An off-day away from the parks would be more fitting for me.

Hear Hear

Tut..Tut...All you non dressers...I recently attended a wedding where the five piece band were all wearing different clothes,and wait for it, the lead singer was dressed in jeans and trainers...I thought it was a Status Quo tribute act..( my American friends will have to google that band, I think ) Although there are only two of us, we both wear the same outfit, black pants,maroon shirts, and a striped waist coat...We have many times been complimented that we look good, ( even if the music is blah..LOL) But in all seriousness, I agree if I'am on holiday and it's just a CS meal,then shorts,T- Shirts, and sandals are fine..But at a nice TS restaurant I strongly believe that a Polish and shine job doesn't cause too many problems with us...And to be honest, it's not that often that we dine out back home at lovely places that Disney have to offer...To me it's like going to the Disney oscars.

We do not really dress up for signature dinners but we do dress if that makes sense. We always go back to our resort and shower and change before going to dinner. I wear either a sundress or capris with a nice shirt. Mrhub usually wears dressier shorts with a polo shirt.

I have worn capris and a nice top when dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse. When dining at California I wore a skirt and short sleeve sweater.

I love wearing dresses so I have no problem with getting fancied up for a signature dinner. The DH usually wears either nice pants or dressier shorts and a nice shirt. It is not hard to do but I have seen people dressed very casual at some of the places.

I don't mind dressing up if we go to a nice place here at home, but it is too hot and inconvenient to do it at Disney. However we do have res. at BoG for dinner our first night and are not sure how to dress for that, I usually avoid the issue by doing all lunch adr's which is much more laid back.

I Like putting on a pretty dress and making an effort in Disney but I'm taking about a strappy dress I couldn't imagine wearing anything any thicker or wearing a cardigan with it so I like to be dressy but comfortable dressy - nothing with zips!!!!!

When I am on vacation, it's also a vacation from dressing up. But I will wear a nice shirt, shorts and sandals to a signature restaurant. Nice resort wear is fine.

I do carry-on and there is only so much you can squeeze into a carryon bag.

I have reservations at V&A and the dress code is killing me. I don't mind bringing a shirt and jacket with me, but long pants and shoes is a PIA. But rules are rules. I hope there is a dapper day while I'm there so I can get some use out of those clothes besides V&A.

Senseicj you can wear shorts and t-shirt at BOG. My friend and I were dressed for MNSSHP the night we ate there.

PirateGirl is correct , you do not have to dress up for BOG. Rule of thumb, if it's in a park, park dress is good enough.

I echo Annie - once you live in Florida, 'dressing up' has a whole different connotation.

If we're spending the day at the park and hit a Signature Restaurant on a whim, I'm comfortable wearing what I have on (which is usually walking shorts and a polo). If we are heading over specifically for a Signature dinner, then I'll wear slacks and a long-sleeve shirt.

Crazycatperson,

I've being to Jiko last September and we were very welcome in nice parks t-shirts and dress shorts for the guys and a t-shirt, skirt and cardigan for me. They are not really strict about clothing. They just ask you NOT to wear torn clothes or swimming suits.

Actually, the only TS Signature that requires dress up is A&V. I looked up Narcoossee and they said Tourist casual WITH shoes was expected.

Do you mean V & A ??...Or are you walking in a retrograde motion..LOL.. Sorry..I can't help myself..

Yes, I reversed them, but according to Victoria's biography (I am a sort of English history buff) she ALWAYS wished to be address at Albert and Victoria when not in a royal setting....

I know that I'm in the minority for this forum, but my family dresses up on vacation. In general we look nicer when we travel than we do day to day. I was raised with the mindset that travel is a special experience and that it is something you dress up for, and that's the way that I've taught my family as well. I 100% believe in dressing for dinner when we're doing fine dining - even at Disney. In fact I think Becks534 has a small anxiety attack whenever she travels with me because she knows that I'm going to have a full wardrobe with me and she's generally a comfy jeans and t-shirt gal.

My husband will sometimes wear a jacket to California Grill depending on the occasion, or depending what I'm wearing. If I wear slacks and a nice blouse, he'll just go with a nice collared shirt. If I'm looking more formal, then he will toss on a jacket so that we're complimenting each other. The later our reservation, or if we're celebrating a special occasion, the more likely we are to look more formal.

This was one of the earlier posts I wrote for grown-ups about dressing for signature dining.
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/dressing-disney-signature-dining

Thanks, Kristen, rereading that piece was very helpful towards planning our wardrobes for Jiko this fall.

For hubby: collared shirt, nice slacks, and non-athletic shoes, with a jacket and possibly tie as an option (he won't mind, he likes dressing up a lot more than I do).

For me: nice slacks (I don't do skirts or dresses anymore) with an equally nice blouse and possibly jacket (I have a few matching outfits) and also nice non-athletic shoes.

Think we'll pass muster?