# Attire for Ruth's Chris Steakhouse? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 5, 2007, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614 "2007-03-05T01:46:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/1 "2007-03-05T01:46:16Z")
Plan on going to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse for the first time next week and I was looking at their site to get an idea on what to wear and I must say, it’s a bit complex. The site says “smart casual” (who comes up with all these terms?!) which I then went to the Wikipedia definition here: [Smart casual - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_casual) Now for the confusing part, Wikipedia says a jacket is generally needed while the restaurant website says it’s not. So exactly what IS smart casual?! Khakis or jeans? Polo shirt or button down? I’m not looking to be the best dressed in the place but I definitely don’t want to set the night’s bare minimum attire either… Anyone who’s been to the place have any input? ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/2 "2007-03-05T01:50:06Z")
Call them and ask whether a jacket is required. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/3 "2007-03-05T01:55:08Z")
Well the website explicitly says a jacket isn’t required here: [Home | Ruth's Chris Steak House](http://www.ruthschris.com/news/details.php?id=69) > [@](#): > > \*Suggested attire: Casual to dressy; jackets not required; no beach attire So great, I know that a jacket isn’t expected… Now what _is_? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/4 "2007-03-05T01:56:12Z")
I walked in wearing black jeans, a sport shirt and running shoes. Nobody gave me a second glance. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/5 "2007-03-05T02:00:02Z")
Wear a jacket and tie. It’s about as classy and expensive as chain restaurants get, IME, and although they may not turn you away for less, you’ll fit in best in jacket and tie. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/6 "2007-03-05T02:03:26Z")
First, wear clothes within your comfort level. If you’re not comfortable in a 3pc suit, don’t try to pull it off because you’ll look and feel awkward all night. Second, I am neither Ruth nor Chris, but to me, smart casual is khaki’s and a button down shirt. You can substitute good fitting jeans, but I would add a casual sports coat to finish the look. I’ve been to Ruth’s Chris several times and at no time did I feel like they were all about a dress code so relax and enjoy one of the finer steaks you’ll find. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/7 "2007-03-05T02:23:05Z")
Minimum would be khaki slacks with a button down long sleave shirt, no tie, nice shoes. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/8 "2007-03-05T03:45:09Z")
I wore a pair of blue jeans and a henley style sweater and this fit in well with most of the diners, it was in Seattle after all. I saw everything from jeans and t-shirts to 3 piece suits but did notice the more nattily attired were seated at the better tables. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/9 "2007-03-05T04:05:29Z")
Thanks for the input everyone! ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/10 "2007-03-05T08:26:21Z")
Basic rule - when in doubt, tuck in your shirt! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/11 "2007-03-05T11:59:29Z")
[QUOTE=lawoot] Basic rule - when in doubt, tuck in your shirt! 😃 [/QUOTE] And go ahead and pull up your pants while you’re at it. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/12 "2007-03-05T13:10:14Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] And go ahead and pull up your pants while you’re at it. [/QUOTE] And get your hair out of your eyes. How do you even see through that? ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/13 "2007-03-05T13:17:21Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] I walked in wearing black jeans, a sport shirt and running shoes. Nobody gave me a second glance. [/QUOTE] Exactly the same thing happened to me (in downtown Seattle). If a restaurant doesn’t like my black jeans and a sport shirt, they can find their customers elsewhere. They are doubtless overpriced and may well not be that good. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/14 "2007-03-05T13:30:58Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] I walked in wearing black jeans, a sport shirt and running shoes. Nobody gave me a second glance. [/QUOTE] Yeah, but sometimes you want people to glance at you. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/15 "2007-03-05T13:33:46Z")
[QUOTE=Ruby] First, wear clothes within your comfort level. If you’re not comfortable in a 3pc suit, don’t try to pull it off because you’ll look and feel awkward all night. Second, I am neither Ruth nor Chris, but to me, smart casual is khaki’s and a button down shirt. You can substitute good fitting jeans, but I would add a casual sports coat to finish the look. I’ve been to Ruth’s Chris several times and at no time did I feel like they were all about a dress code so relax and enjoy one of the finer steaks you’ll find. [/QUOTE] This is really the best advice. It’s hard to say that X article of clothing is acceptable, because there’s so many different variations on X and so many different attitudes towards X. For example, hipsters around here would fit right in wearing a $120 pair of blue jeans and an $80 untucked button down shirt from some fancy store. Does that mean that everyone can pull of jeans and an untucked shirt? Obviously not… jordache and cherokee aren’t gonna cut it. Gleaming white $34 reeboks or even $120 jordan high tops might look out of place, but I wear tasteful, stylish sneakers to expensive restaurants all the time. So just wear what you’ll feel comfortable in. If you feel over or under dressed, regardless of whether or not you actually are, you’re going to be more of an eyesore to the restaurant than if you’re comfortable. Besides, it’s a steakhouse… flannel and cowboy boots should be mandatory. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/16 "2007-03-05T13:46:03Z")
[QUOTE=steronz] Besides, it’s a steakhouse… flannel and cowboy boots should be mandatory. [/QUOTE] Steakhouse rules don’t apply at Ruth’s Chris Steak House… They don’t have a bucket of peanuts on the table. They scowled when I brought my own. They almost threw me out when I tossed the shells on the floor. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/17 "2007-03-05T15:24:09Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Moto] Yeah, but sometimes you want people to glance at you. 😉 [/QUOTE] If I had worn my usual attire, they would have had to pass out sunglasses to the other patrons! ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/18 "2007-03-05T20:26:30Z")
Mmmmm- Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, if and when I ever get back under 200 lbs, I am treating myself there. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/19 "2007-03-15T04:23:41Z")
So Brandon, what did you wear and did you enjoy the steak? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614/20 "2007-03-15T06:50:25Z")
That means no shorts and wear a shirt with a collar. No “thug” attire, either. Shoes, of course. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attire-for-ruths-chris-steakhouse/394614.md?page=2)