Best Waiter Uniforms
Waitstaff attire can be classic, casual, or anything in between. It could be neutral-toned or bold. It could be ready-to-wear or bespoke. That’s all up to you.
What it can’t be, however, is ill-fitting, uncomfortable, or off-brand. You want your waiters to wear something functional, flattering, and in line with the restaurant’s identity.
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some of the best waiter uniforms out there, including some of Stock’s own workwear creations.
1. RPM
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
White shirts, black pants, and classic black ties are the basis for all FOH uniforms at RPM. To keep the servers looking sharp (and comfortable), we outfitted them with one of the most popular items in our catalog: The lightweight, double-vented coat.
Overall, this waiter uniform choice is classic and refined, which works just fine in this case. Our client was looking for something that adds a contemporary twist to the classic Chicago Steakhouse vibe.
2. Spring
From Instagram, @spring_ldn
All the bespoke uniforms at this London-based restaurant match the venue’s 19th-century interiors and seasonal menu.
Waitstaff wear striped full-sleeve shirts in fun colors (think yellow, green, and pink). Over the shirts, they have a sleeveless cream white button-down vest and matching relaxed pants.
A variation of the uniform outfits the staff in denim-like vests and pants rather than the cotton, cream white ones.
From Instagram, @spring_ldn
3. Parachute
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
Parachute’s uniforms are proof that it’s possible to outfit servers in the classic navy apron without it being bland.
For this project, we went with linen smock-style aprons paired with a short-sleeve tee made from terry cloth. The result was high-fashion-looking and relaxed enough for servers to wear all day, which fits the restaurant’s gourmet servings and casual ambiance perfectly.
What makes this pocketed smock apron even more special is the attention to detail. We went for a woven label with a stylized font that not only matches the restaurant’s visual identity but also mimics the labels on the table napkins. It’s a subtle but effective branding effort.
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
4. Tre Dita
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
Tre Dita adds a ritzy, modern spin to the classic Tuscan steakhouse vibe. Naturally, the waitstaff outfits had to inspire old-school luxury and contemporary sensibility at the same time.
So, when we were developing their uniforms, we went for a rich, grand color. We settled on dark green blazers, vests, and pants in a wool/spandex blend that looks and feels good.
Note that we also outfitted the service staff at Miru, a Japanese-inspired restaurant with a more casual atmosphere. This time, however, we chose earth-toned linen blends since they were a better match for the place’s light and airy feel.
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
As always, the details can make or break any look. And the details here don’t disappoint.
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
5. Sketch
From Instagram: @indiamahdavi
Sketch on Conduit Street is easily one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in all of London, and for good reason. For one, its tea room is pink. Plus, everything from artwork plastered all over the walls to the doodle-decorated dishware and retro takeaway boxes is quirky.
The server’s attire doesn’t fail to match the vibe. Think pink suits, pink bow ties (or regular ties, server’s choice), white shirts, and a white wicker-style hat.
6. The Hampton Social
From Instagram, @thehamptonsocial
The Hampton Social uniform collection in our catalogue includes Henleys, herringbone bib aprons, joggers, and much more.
The waitstaff, in particular, get to wear a lightweight striped service uniform in a linen-cotton blend paired with light beige joggers. To create some visual interest, we chose a light shade of green for the waist apron rather than herringbone.
The overall silhouette is sporty and breezy.
7. Elizabeth Street Café
From Instagram, @elizabethstreetcafe
When you walk into this Austin-based cafe, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Southeast Asia. The music and the food definitely help, but so do the uniforms. What’s unique here is that the female servers don’t get just one uniform.
Instead, they get to choose up to six built-to-order wrap dresses with tropical patterns, and no two dresses are the same. This way, the waitresses can come to work each day wearing something that represents their personality and makes them feel comfortable.
The men on the team, on the other hand, have bespoke chambray button-downs in red, matching the fun vibe in the cafe.
8. Jeff Ruby
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
Guests coming to Jeff Ruby expect more than just high-quality steaks. They’re also looking for a luxurious dining experience, which includes everything from the elegant ambiance to the stylish server assistants.
To do our part, we crafted a charming outfit featuring a double-breasted vest with a satin back and a satin shawl collar.
The shawl collar is an important detail here. Not only does it add to the overall classy look, but it also ties the server assistant’s uniform to the tuxedo jackets that other staff members wear.
The perfect finishing touch to the whole formal look is the velvet black bowtie. It doesn’t matter if a server doesn’t know how to tie the bow, either. Our bow ties come pre-tied with adjustable straps.
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
9. Momotaro
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
Some servers struggle with neck strain after wearing their aprons all day. Others hate having to tie and knot the strap.
These are not issues that the waiters at Momotaro have to deal with, though. The canvas aprons we crafted for this restaurant are minimalistic but very functional since they feature a cross-back design.
And we didn’t just settle for a comfortable design. It had to be distinctive and an aesthetic match for the Japanese-Western inspiration blend. The leather cord-stopper with a laser-engraved Japanese logo helped convey the message without straying from the minimalistic angle.
Under the apron, the wait staff wear a muted grey button-down shirt that would have been quite standard and plain if not for the modern stand collar.
10. Café Altro Paradiso
From Instagram, @altroparadiso
The uniforms at this Italian restaurant in SoHo have made the news before. Admittedly, the buzz was all about the baker’s jumpsuit. However, this doesn’t take away from the fact that the waiters are also extremely well-dressed.
Their custom navy blue coat is inspired by a muted utility jacket that the owner loved. It’s versatile, functional, and fits right in with the space’s wood accents and marble bar.
11. Cherry Circle Room
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
Designing for the CCA’s own Cherry Circle Room was challenging. We had to outfit the staff (server, bartender, and manager) in uniforms on par with the hotel’s iconic history and classic aesthetics. All outfits had to fit in with the “secret society” theme as well.
We used the interaction of stripes and solid colors to our advantage to help people clearly identify between employee roles.
Servers wear the stripes on their classy (yet contemporary) shirts and pair them with a custom gold-trimmed solid navy apron. For subtle branding, we embroidered the Cherry Circle Room’s logo on the flap.
Their outfits make them stand out from the bartenders who have striped aprons with solid shirts, and the managers with striped shirts under their solid suits.
12. Lure Fishbar
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
Our uniform project with Lure shows how color choices can tie the servers to a bigger theme.
Because James Meek, the general manager of the Lure Fishbar in Chicago, wanted a nautical twist, we went for a custom version of our wool double-breasted vests. Navy blue seemed like the obvious choice.
The best tie for the theme was the broad-striped tie that complements the vertical blue/white dress shirt. Still, we wanted to break the monochromatic look. That’s why we opted for a maroon waist apron customized with the Lure logo.
The overall look is refreshing and unique.
13. Soho House
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
The uniforms we designed for the men at Soho House may look simple at first glance, but they still reflect the club’s refined English heritage.
One version of the uniform features a bluish-grey chambray shirt with a single button cuff, a dual breast pocket, and a mini club collar. Over it is a double-breasted waxed canvas waistcoat with a nylon back and jetted pockets, a single chest pocket, and metal hardware.
In the other version, the chambray shirt is replaced with an off-white poplin one with a slim collar. The waistcoat is a chocolate herringbone poly blend with a notch lapel, and side entry placket and welt pockets.
Either way, the pants are charcoal herringbone with dual buttoned welt back pockets. Servers also get to choose between a tie and a bow tie.
14. Langosteria
From Instagram, @langosteria
Server attire at this Italian establishment is casual, comfortable, and a reflection of the brand’s identity. The simple color choices (navy blue and white) also complement the bold red interiors nicely.
15. Maxwells Trading
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
We were glad to help outfit the staff at Maxwells Trading, which is a restaurant, retail store, greenhouse, and private dining room all in one space.
For the FOH staff (servers included), we wanted something comfortable, neutral-toned, and a match for the airy dining room. Our solid black stretch jeans were a great fit, especially when paired with our soft wheat-banded collar shirts.
The updated version of our shirts features cleaner stitching, a narrower collar band, and a durable 75/25 cotton-poly blend. We make the shirts in both short and long-sleeve variations, but we think the short-sleeved version looks a bit more trendy.
16. Le Select
From Instagram, @stockmfgco
Le Select’s interior reflects the brand’s classic brasserie inspirations. All the design choices we made for their uniform project had to be based on the same style. That’s why we went for luxurious fabrics and modern cuts.
The waitstaff were outfitted in white tuxedo jackets inspired by the old-fashioned bartender’s jacket worn at jazz clubs and bistros.
As for the bottoms, the staff have our black stretch trousers that are roomier at the thigh for mobility and comfort. The cut still has a gentle taper to maintain the tailored look.
For a final touch, we gave the servers a black silk bowtie.
Server assistants, on the other hand, wear a black single-breasted vest with a stretch satin back and functional pockets. Instead of the bowtie, they wear a regular tie. And the white bistro apron finishes the look in a clean contrast against the black pants.