Men’s Dinner Outfits for Every Dress Code

If you’ve ever worried about what to wear when going out to eat, you’re not alone. Trunk Club recently ran a survey and found that 65% of people studied felt overwhelmed when choosing an outfit to wear to a restaurant. And though different restaurants have different dress codes, what you choose to wear can be simplified into an easy outfit formula. Based on the ambiance of where you’re headed, we’re sharing a few easy outfit tips. So go ahead and make those reservations—we’ll take care of the rest.

Fancy evening out

Though chinos and sport coats are great options for a nice restaurant, they likely aren’t the best choice for a more formal dinner. We thought it’d be important to cover our bases since 46% of people say they’ve felt underdressed at an elegant restaurant. Instead, ensure you always look sharp with a crisp dress shirt, a dinner jacket or blazer, and a tailored pair of dress pants. Then, add to your classic formalwear with various tie and pocket square combos to match the vibe of the evening.

Laid-back date night

If you’re part of the 41% of people who have ever felt overdressed at a casual restaurant, then you know how uncomfortable a feeling that can be. To avoid this, stick to classic wardrobe essentials like a dark pair of slim-straight jeans, a long-sleeve sweater, and some sort of third piece, like a twill jacket, to bring it all together. To give your relaxed look a more polished finish, we suggest skipping the sneakers and instead wearing a sleek pair of boots with a matching belt.

Business-casual event

Networking events and business dinners are all about making a good first impression. Treat them with importance and always put your best foot forward by wearing something tailored, like a sport coat, chinos, and dress shoes. Ties are optional for a business-casual look, but we think it’s best to err on the side of caution and dress up so you don’t fall in line with the 34% of people who have felt underdressed at these sorts of dinners.