What to expect at a food tasting wedding
Food tastings are a great way of trying out food before you buy it, to find out if you like the taste and texture of something. But what do you wear to one?
Wedding food tastings are one of the most enjoyable aspects of wedding planning. Treat your guests to a brunch or dinner tasting, and hear their praise for both the food and the service!
A food tasting is a special event. When you go to a wedding, how do you dress? Contemporary formal wear? What is the proper dress code for an upscale casual restaurant or a fast-food establishment?
Go for a classic dress.
- Dress for the occasion.
- Don’t wear bright red or green unless you can handle the attention.
- Wear a dress that is comfortable and fits well.
- Consider wearing shoes that are easy to walk in, since you’ll be on your feet quite a bit.
- Make sure your dress is clean and wrinkle-free (yes, even if there aren’t any stains).
- If you’re worried about getting food stains on your dress, one option is to go with a darker color that will hide them more easily.
Wear a statement blouse.
We know, we know…Wearing a blouse to a food tasting seems a little weird—especially if the food tasting is at an outdoor event. But hear us out: A blouse is a great option for an informal, yet professional look and it’s definitely better than wearing something too tight or flashy. If you’re going to wear a statement top, make sure it isn’t too much on its own. For example, if you want to pair your blouse with pants, choose pants without graphic or text patterns and vice versa. When in doubt about what to wear to any event involving food, just go with a simple top like this one and you’ll be good!
Try denim.
We recommend denim. Why? Denim can be dressed up or down, and it’s a good option for dress-casual events like food tastings. Try these 2 looks:
- Denim on denim. This look combines two of your favorite things—food and fashion. Take an all-denim outfit out for a spin at your next food tasting, and don’t be surprised if someone asks you to take off their jacket.
- Denim top, non-denim bottoms. A denim top is the perfect centerpiece to any outfit and will complement almost anything below the waistline, including most pant styles, shorts in any length or color, skirts that drip with elegance, overalls that are just right for you*, leggings so tight they make you feel sexy…the list goes on and on!
Find the perfect jumpsuit.
You should look for a jumpsuit that is both comfortable and stylish. A jumpsuit is one of the easiest articles of clothing to wear. It only has one piece, like a dress, so it’s easy to get in and out of. Unlike a dress, however, you don’t have to worry about whether your undergarments are visible or your skirt is on straight when you sit down—a quality that will come in handy during all those endless tastings! Jumpsuits also tend not to need ironing, which can be great if you’re always running late (as I am). You can just pull them on and go.
Jumpsuits are also appropriate no matter what time of year it is. They’re typically light enough for warmer weather yet still work as a cool-weather garment when paired with tights and boots or booties, especially if they have long sleeves.
Do a casual skirt set.
A casual skirt set is a perfect choice for your food tasting. It’s simple, versatile, and comfortable, plus a skirt set can easily be dressed up or down. Add a blazer for an elevated look, or go bare if the vibe calls for a more relaxed style.
If you’re looking for something even more versatile than the classic skirt set, try rompers and jumpsuits. These one-piece wonders are perfect for when you want to break away from your standard blouse and pants pairing without losing the comfort of having everything matched. They’re also great if you want to wear something that feels put together in 5 minutes flat while still looking polished and chic.
There are plenty of different styles of skirts to choose from as well: midi skirts never go out of style, but if you prefer something short try an A-line mini or maxi style to keep things breezy and lighthearted. If it’s not cold outside, pair this with strappy heels or sandals—if it is, opt for ankle boots instead.
Opt for a fitted pantsuit.
Though a dress may seem like the obvious choice, a pantsuit is actually the perfect outfit for a food tasting. Not only is it elegant and easy to move in, but there’s also something about wearing pants that makes you feel in charge. Plus, there’s no need to stress over whether or not your dress will be too short or revealing while you’re reaching across the table to try various food items. To make this look work, opt for a fitted suit with cropped pants and an interesting jacket. Then accessorize with bold jewelry and an elegant clutch. Dress it up with stilettos or keep it casual with strappy flats—either way, your look will be on-point!
What to expect at a food tasting wedding
Here are 5 things to keep in mind when planning your food tasting outfit:
- Dress for the weather. Knowing how you’ll get to the location and how far you’ll have to walk can help you plan. Some locations aren’t close to parking, so if it rains or snows, you might be glad you wore boots instead of sandals.
- Dress for the venue. What kind of place will you be going to? Is it a fine dining restaurant? An outdoor BBQ? Is it a hipster artisanal pizza joint? Knowing what kind of place it is can help make sure your outfit fits the tone of the event, too casual or too formal can both be awkward situations.
- Know what to expect at a food-tasting wedding and dress accordingly! Tastings are often followed by professional photos and video footage, so put your best face forward!
- Don’t feel pressured into wearing uncomfortable clothes just because they look good–especially if there will be lots of walking involved! Being comfortable is a key ingredient when trying new foods with other people–it adds a little extra confidence!
- Something old, something new. Is this is your first time at a food tasting wedding, remember that it’s an opportunity to try out some new looks before the big day
What to wear to a tasting
- Classic dress
We’ll never get sick of a classic LBD, but don’t feel like you have to stick with the basics, either. Even the most minimalist sheath dress can be dressed up with sparkly accessories and bold makeup.
- Denim
For something a bit more casual and lightweight, opt for denim pieces in your favorite wash, whether that’s dark or light. Pair with a button-down shirt and classic pumps for an easy office-ready look.
- Statement blouse
A statement blouse is also a great option for work or play — just add tailored trousers and a pair of heels! You can even layer on jewelry and other accessories if you’re feeling particularly bold.
- Casual skirt set
Take the stress out of getting dressed by opting for this two-piece set that looks put together without trying too hard (and still comes in at under $100!). Dress it up with neutral heels or down with sneakers depending on where you’re headed!
- Fitted pantsuit
No need to bust out the formalwear when jeans will do! This ultra-flattering pantsuit is comfortable enough to wear all day while still looking polished enough for whatever situations may arise throughout your tasting event!
What to wear to a food show
Chances are, if you’re attending a food show, you won’t be seated for the whole event. You will likely be standing for some of the time, wandering from booth to booth, so wear something light and comfortable. Don’t wear anything too loose or too tight. Avoid anything that is too short or too long. Wear shoes at a comfortable height because there will probably be lots of walking involved. Avoid high heels and heavy clothing. Don’t wear anything that is too revealing: think business casual with a stylish flair.
What to wear to catering tasting
While the dress code for your food tasting can be flexible, certain factors should be considered to make the best impression. For example, does the caterer typically wear uniforms? If so, is their uniform casual or formal? The answer to this question will help you determine how formal you should dress for your meeting. It’s best to avoid wearing anything that will distract from the food (i.e., a bright pink shirt may not be appropriate). Wearing bright colors may also detract from the focus of your event; black and white are good neutral choices.
- Clean and pressed clothing: Be sure that everything you wear is clean and well-pressed. As a potential client, your caterer will scrutinize every detail of your appearance.
- No jeans: Jeans are comfortable and convenient, but they can easily look sloppy in professional settings like these.
- No sneakers: It’s always best to leave sneakers behind unless you know for sure that they won’t matter in this case (such as if you know that employees aren’t required to wear closed-toed shoes).
What to wear in a fine dining restaurant
If you’re ever in doubt as to how to dress for a restaurant, always default to at least business casual attire. Most upscale restaurants have a set of guidelines for their guests—often outlined on their website—and it’s important that you follow the directions so that your dining experience isn’t marred by awkwardness or unexpected expense. If there are no dress codes listed, consider the following:
- The more expensive the restaurant and its food are, the more formal its attire will be expected.
- The fancier an establishment is, the more likely that women will be dressed elegantly and men will be wearing suits.
- The higher end of fine dining comes with jackets for men and more elaborate dresses for women. It can still be elegant without being too stiff or stuffy, though; black tie doesn’t necessarily mean tuxedos but rather “your finest clothes” in general. Again, check with the restaurant if possible to see what they recommend before arriving over-or under-dressed!
What to wear to a food tasting
A tasting is a formal event that needs to be taken seriously. It’s essential to wear something professional and modest. It doesn’t need to be anything extraordinary, but it should be clean and presentable. Your clothing should not distract from the tastings, so keep it neutral. The same goes for your shoes. Avoid wearing flashy jewelry or loud accessories as you want the food and wine to take center stage. If you’re attending a festive event, like a winery open house or another food festival, feel free to dress up in a way that shows your holiday spirit — just avoid anything too sparkly or attention-grabbing.
What to wear to a tasting
With so much to see, you’ll be walking around the venue quite a bit—so make sure that what you wear is comfortable. You’ll thank yourself later for wearing a dress that doesn’t restrict your movements.
You can never go wrong with basics like chinos and blouses; anything you find cute at a fast-fashion retailer will work! If you want to look extra stylish, I recommend wearing something in the same color scheme as your food 🥘. In theory, that could mean anything from an orange-and-red monochromatic fit (for pasta) to an aqua dress with flourishes of orange and green (for seafood).
What to wear to a food show
When you’re on the road, you don’t have time to waste on dressing up. But how do you look business casual and professional yet still manage to look like a normal person? On our food tours, I’ve learned that it’s easy to get dressed for business meetings with coworkers when I am in a hotel room or something similar. We are in an area where we can put our clothes into the laundry, so they are not just sitting in a pile because I haven’t had time to wash them. Most people we meet don’t dress up much either, but they will have their own style of clothing. The best part is that we usually have their suggestions if they think certain outfits go well together (they give us their input before we go out too). Even though my job requires me to wear suits most of the time, I still feel like I can wear blue jeans out at night with a nice top during the day at home after working all day long!
What to wear to catering tasting
To ensure you are properly prepared to taste some of the most delicious food you will ever have, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be on your feet for a long time. Plus, if you wear flip flops or slippers you may end up tripping and falling into a bowl of ceviche. Tennis shoes or heels that aren’t too high are usually ideal.
- Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting stained with all sorts of delicious goodness. A lot of things can happen at these events, so we suggest wearing something that does not require dry cleaning/hand washing if possible.
- Dress in layers because it can get really hot or cold depending on where the tasting is being held. If it’s outdoors and chilly, bring along a scarf or shawl just in case.
What to wear to a food festival
You will have to stand for long hours in the sun, not to mention you will be surrounded by people wearing flip-flops. Go for comfortable but classy flats or loafers. If it is super-hot outside, wear a pair of sandals that are not going to fall off your feet every five minutes.
You can never be too sure about food tastings as after a few hours, a girl might push you and spill wine all over your clothes or you might drop something on yourself by accident. Make sure your clothes require an easy wash out (preferably no dry cleaning) since if something gets stained, you would want to wash it right away before the stain settles in.
How to do a food tasting event
Food tasting events give you the chance to try out a new restaurant before it opens. In order to make the most of your experience, follow these tips.
- Prepare. Look up information about the restaurant you will be visiting, including their specialty dishes and what kind of atmosphere they are hoping to create. If the event is in a private home, bring a gift for your host.
- Stay focused on the food during your meal. It’s easy to get distracted by conversations with other guests or wait for staff at food tastings, but remember that you are there for a specific purpose: providing feedback on the food prepared by the chef and his or her staff.
- Enjoy each bite as if it’s your last! Whether it’s savoring each mouthful of a decadent dessert or sipping slowly on an expertly crafted cocktail, take time to appreciate all of the efforts that went into preparing each item on your plate.
What to wear when preparing food
- Tie back your hair.
- Don’t wear jewelry, especially rings.
- Wear short sleeves or roll up the sleeves on a long-sleeved shirt.
- Wear pants rather than skirts or shorts. Long skirts and open shoes are also not allowed in food preparation areas unless they are made of a material that can be sanitized, such as vinyl.
What happens at a food tasting
At a food tasting, it’s important to feel comfortable enough that you can eat and talk freely. I have high standards for the clothes I wear because a good outfit makes me feel like I can do whatever task is at hand. A bad outfit makes me feel like no one will take me seriously, and my work will suffer for it.
For example: if I’m reviewing a restaurant for a magazine (which might include being photographed), I’ll think hard about what to wear, making sure that my look suits the vibe of the place. If it’s a fancy spot in Manhattan, I dress more professionally than if it’s an unpretentious pub in Northern Ireland. Regardless of where we’re having dinner, there are some basics that should be part of any food critic’s wardrobe:
- Clothing should fit well!
- Shoes should be comfortable enough to walk in without pain or worry.
You can wear your favorite dress to a food tasting!
You can wear your favorite dress to a food tasting. You won’t have to worry about getting it dirty, because the food is only being sampled. It’s usually in small portions and you might just get a couple of spoonfuls of soup and a few bites of steak. Parties are always fun, so when you’re invited to your first food tasting it’s important that you dress for success.
The fun of most tasting events is the exploration of new and bold flavors. However, the dress code for tastings tends to be a little more conservative than for other foodie events. For men, typical business attire like slacks, button-down shirts or sweaters, and dark socks goes over well at tastings. Unless you are invited to a formal food tasting, jeans and a button-down shirt will suffice for an afternoon tasting or evening event. For women, pretty much any dresses will do, with the exception of sleeveless numbers that could cause you to overheat during the event if you try appetizers as well as dessert. If your goal is to work in the food industry, strive to fit in – don’t stand out like a sore thumb by wearing something a little too casual or overly dressy.
Other posts you might enjoy next:
- What To Wear When Running
- What To Wear When Running In The Cold
- What To Wear When Skydiving
- What To Wear For Giving Birth
