I happen to be flipping channels one day and landed on (Hearst Corporation) Bravo TV's Real Housewives of New York. A woman by the name of Ramona Singer was interviewing someone for her company and her comments I found remarkable. The interviewee was fresh out of college, obviously nervous by her body language and dressed not business casual, but not casual (a very odd in between if you ask me). Through her comments I gathered Ms. Singer was in marketing and she said something to the tune of,
"Presentation is everything, she was poorly dressed and therefore would not make a statement to clients."
Now, I don't typically even watch TV nonetheless give regard to reality stars, but this one struck a cord with me. I have always been under the impression that first impressions are everything, that people can make up their mind about you even before you speak (as Ms. Singer did and rightfully so in that situation).
This lesson is one of the easiest learned at a restaurant. If there isn't a strict uniform, it is the server's responsibility to dress appropriately. It's best to think of yourself as a performer and to dress for your character. If you're working the bar shift 7PM to 3AM, you're going to dress a bit differently than if you were waiting dinner service.
We all know that if you're a female bartender, a little shorter of a short has great potential to result in high tips from male customers. For family themed restaurants, keep it G (not PG, but G-remember that rating for "general audiences"). However in both situations, a t-shirt and nice fitting jeans (PLEASE WITHOUT RIPS) can result in a professional look and moderate to high tips.
Dressing the part is half the battle.
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