Hey servers! Do you ever get to work, put on your uniform and realize there’s a big wrinkle across your shirt? I do, more times than I’d like to admit. Wrinkled work clothes are the bane of every server’s existence. No matter how late you’re running for your shift, you gotta take a few extra minutes to iron out those wrinkles.
This video and guide are all about why properly ironed clothes are important for servers and front-of-house staff, because wrinkled or messy clothes can look like you don’t care or are unprofessional.
Table of Contents
Why Ironing Matters for Servers
You’ve heard it before, first impressions matter. This old saying is especially true in the restaurant business. Within seconds of being greeted by a server, guests make unconscious judgments about the level of professionalism of the restaurant based on the server’s appearance. Wrinkled, messy clothes send the wrong message and can undermine your credibility.
On the other hand, crisp, pressed clothes send a message that you care about the details and take pride in your job. This gives guests confidence that you’ll take care of them just as well.
Over time a polished appearance can literally pay off with better tips! Plus, it shows self-respect and motivation to move up in your hospitality career. So don’t underestimate the power of an iron!
The Damage of Wrinkles
Imagine you’re dining out at a nice restaurant. Your server approaches the table looking disheveled, with a wrinkled white shirt and crooked bow tie. Even if the food is great, that first impression of unprofessionalism will linger in your mind.
The wrinkles are a distraction, drawing attention away from their great service and skills. When guests see sloppy clothes, they start to doubt the care in the kitchen and overall operation.
They’ll start wondering things you’d rather they didn’t, like if you have proper food safety training. The bottom line is wrinkles perpetuate negative perceptions. Every time you iron out those fabric folds, you’re helping to create positive guest experiences.
Opportunities
There’s no doubt about it, first impressions stick. What you wear matters because people make judgments about you based on appearance. We all do it, even if we try not to judge books by their covers. Looking polished gives you an edge.
That extra effort shows self-respect, attention to detail and professionalism. So be proactive and arm yourself with great first impressions. Take some time to master the basics of clothing care like ironing.
It’s one of the easiest ways to boost your confidence and set yourself up for success whether at work or elsewhere.
Face It
Let’s face it, people make judgments about others’ competence, trustworthiness and confidence based on clothes. It may sound vain and superficial, but psychologists have proven our brains are wired to unconsciously assess visual cues.
We then use those cues in seconds to decide if someone is capable and trustworthy. Though it’s hard to admit, wrinkled clothes or beat up and dirty shoes say scattered, careless and can’t keep it together.
They say you don’t take yourself or your job seriously. We can’t force guests to ignore wrinkled uniforms so we must face it as reality. Take control by taking care of your work clothes. It’s one thing you can control about the impressions you make.
Ironing 101
Clearly ironing skills shouldn’t be overlooked in restaurant server training. Let’s talk techniques for keeping uniforms neat and presentable shift after shift. It may feel tedious at first but with practice it becomes second nature.
- Get Equipped
Invest in a good iron that can tackle wrinkly restaurant uniforms. I recommend one with adjustable heat settings, a burst of steam option and a sturdy soleplate with a nonstick coating. You’ll also need a wide ironing board that can handle shirts, pants and aprons with ease. - Sort First
Before ironing, always sort clothing by fabric type and heat level. For best results make sure items are clean and slightly damp. The extra moisture helps relax the fibers making wrinkles much easier to smooth. - Pressing Order
When ironing shirts start with the trickiest areas – collars, cuffs, sleeves and shoulder seams. Then work your way down the back, front and finally side seams. For pants start with the waistband and pockets then the front, back and legs. Always finish by pressing any pleats, creases, darts and buttons. Those little details make all the difference! - Hang & Store
You just ironed out every last wrinkle so don’t sabotage your hard work. After ironing hang garments or fold neatly to prevent new creases from forming. Use skirt/pant hangers, padded hangers for delicate fabrics and wide-bar hangers for shirts.
It’s easy to rush through ironing after a long day on your feet. But focus on building good habits. Well pressed uniforms show self-respect, professionalism and attention to detail. Now that’s an impression worth making in the hospitality industry!
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is wrinkled work clothes undermine servers’ credibility and professionalism in the eyes of restaurant guests. Taking the time to iron uniforms makes all the difference in making a great first impression. Well pressed clothes instill guest confidence and shows self-respect and attention to detail.
Ironing is an essential career skill for hospitality staff who want to succeed. Crisp attire gives servers an edge to deliver great service and potentially increase their tips. So don’t skip this step before your shift!
