Olive Garden Uniform And Dress Code 2024

So you got the job at Olive Garden – congratulations! But the manager forgot to tell you about the Olive Garden uniform.

Your first day is approaching, and you’re wondering what to wear.

Do you turn up in your clothes and change into the uniform they hand you, or do they expect you to buy certain clothing items yourself?

Well, it depends on the job you’ll be doing.

Does Olive Garden give you your uniform?

No, Olive Garden does not provide employees with uniforms. The only exceptions to this rule, however, are chefs. Servers, bartenders, and bussers must supply their clothing per the company’s dress code. You are given an apron to wear, though.

Luckily, the Olive Garden uniform is nothing unusual, so you can find what you need from your local retailers without any trouble. And you may even have suitable clothing hanging in your closet already.

Run through this article, and we’ll get you up to speed on everything you need to know about the Olive Garden uniform and the Olive Garden dress code, which covers things like hairstyles, tattoos, and piercings.

What Is The Latest Olive Garden Uniform for Front-of-House Staff?

Olive Garden updated its look in 2013 and removed the white shirts and uncomfortable ties that had been their standard uniform for 30 years.

In 2022, the Olive Garden dress code had serving staff, bar staff, and bussers wearing black shirts (no tie), black pants, black socks, and black non-slip shoes.

Olive Garden gives you a black apron to wear over the top of your clothes.

The upside to wearing your clothes is you get to choose the clothing as long as it meets the Olive Garden dress code requirements.

You won’t have to suit up in a cheap set of company-issued clothing made from sweaty, scratchy fabrics that don’t have any give when you need to bend or stretch.

The downside is you have to supply the clothes yourself. This means a cash outlay if you don’t already have some suitable clothing.

You’ll need at least two sets to have one in the wash and a clean set to wear to work daily.

Basic clothing is cheap enough, so your Olive Garden shouldn’t cost too much money even if you buy new clothes.

What Kind Of Shirt Meets The Olive Garden Dress Code?

img sourced from: Nation’s Restaurant News

Choose a black button-down shirt without patterns, logos, fringes, tassels, designer rips, or other stylistic embellishments to meet the Olive Garden dress code.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a button-down shirt has a collar and button fastenings down the front.

Your shirt should have long sleeves if you’re working a front-of-house role or short sleeves if you’ll be back in the kitchen. You can’t wear a polo shirt, a collared t-shirt with 3 or 4 buttons at the neckline, or a shirt with a grandad collar.

Your long-sleeved shirt shouldn’t have extra buttons on the cuffs and should only have one breast pocket.

Where To Buy A Black Shirt for Olive Garden?

You would think a black dress shirt would be a fairly standard item of clothing, wouldn’t you? But surprisingly, they can be hard to find.

White button-downs, pastels, checks, and patterns are everywhere, but whether a retailer has a suitable black shirt is often hit or miss.

We did some legwork to find you a suitable shirt. Check out the recommended shirt displayed above.

Alternatively, for men, you can head to your trusty Target store or look on their website for the Goodfellow & Co, slim fit, long sleeve, black button-down shirt.

It’s made from an easy-care cotton-poly blend with a touch of spandex to give it some stretch. The shirt is breathable; it doesn’t wrinkle, and it’s nicely fitted so that you won’t have an untidy-looking shirt billowing out from your waistband.

For women, you’ll find the right shirt at your local Walmart. Take a look at the Pier 17 button-down shirt for women.

Made from an easy-care cotton-spandex blend, the shirt is semi-fitted with a crisp collar, so you’ll always look smart. The lightweight but strong fabric has enough stretch to keep you comfortable during your busiest shifts.

What Pants Are Suitable For Olive Garden Uniforms?

Like the shirts, the color suitable for Olive Garden uniform pants is black. Pants should be full-length, smart, casual slacks.

Avoid jeans, joggers, and utility pants.

Your black pants shouldn’t have rips or embellishments and must be worn on your waist or hips. Sagging pants that expose your underwear are not acceptable.

When buying pants for your Olive Garden workplace, prioritize comfort and practicality over style. Pants need to be hard-wearing and easy to wash and dry. Avoid fabrics that will shrink or pill when you wash them.

And make sure you try the pants on and bend a few times to check for stretchiness. For workwear, it’s hard to beat Dickies pants.

These pants come in a range of hard-working styles that remain in good condition, wash after wash after wash. And they’re made with stain-release technology, which is exactly what you need when working in a restaurant environment.

You can find Dickies pants at your nearest Walmart.

What Socks And Shoes Meet Olive Garden’s Dress Code?

Would it surprise you to hear that the answer is black now?

You can wear black socks but should invest in a few moisture-wicking socks for comfortable feet. This way, you won’t end up with sweaty feet and a case of athlete’s foot.

The best place to buy moisture-wicking socks for your uniform is a sportswear retailer. This type of sock costs a little more, but it’s well worth it.

Olive Garden asks employees to wear black shoes with non-slip treads for shoes.

Wearing non-slip shoes is very important when you work in a restaurant. Kitchen floors get wet, which means the floors will be slippery. If you slip, you could slam into a coworker, pull them down, or push them into something dangerous.

When shopping for shoes, look for Crews and Treadsafe brands. Both brands have a wide range of affordable styles with non-slip treads.

Read Also: Does Olive Garden Drug Test Before Hiring?

Shopping On A Tight Budget?

If your budget doesn’t have much wiggle room, you can find suitable clothing that meets Olive Garden’s dress code at your local Goodwill or thrift store.

When you shop at thrift stores, you can pick up several shirts or pairs of pants for the price of one item at a regular store.

Often, clothing will still have the tags on, and it hasn’t been worn.

Visiting a thrift store is a clever way to get everything you need for your Olive Garden dress without busting your budget.

What Hair Styles and Colors Does Olive Garden Allow?

Your hairstyle and hair color is up to you at Olive Garden.

Your hair should be clean and tidy, with no general restrictions on style or color.

For hygiene and safety reasons, long hair should be worn up.

Occasionally, a restaurant manager will have a stricter policy, and some locations only allow the natural range of hair colors.

Can Olive Garden Staff Wear Piercings?

When working at Olive Garden, you can wear tasteful earrings, but other facial piercings must be removed at work.

Two earrings can be worn in each ear, and you can wear gauges up to size 14.

Olive Garden doesn’t discriminate against any protected characteristics. If you need to wear a facial piercing because of your race, religion, or gender identity, you should speak to your manager to obtain an exception to their piercing policy.

Do Tattoos Need To Be Cover-Up?

Olive Garden’s dress code requires tattoos and body art to be covered up.

If you’ve got tattoos on your neck, you should ensure your shirt collar keeps them covered. If you’ve tattoos on your forearms, you should always wear your shirt sleeves down instead of rolled up.

Tattoos worn for cultural reasons may be given an exception.

If you have facial tattoos or tattoos on your hands and your manager was okay with them at your interview, you won’t need to do anything to cover them up.

Olive Garden Dress Code FAQS

What Is The Proper Attire For Olive Garden?

When you go to work at Olive Garden, wear a plain black button-down shirt, black slacks, black socks, and a pair of black shoes with non-slip treads. You’ll be given an Olive Garden apron to wear, which sits at your waist.

What Is The Dress Code For Olive Garden Employees?

In addition to wearing a black button-down shirt, black slacks, black socks, and black shoes, you’ll need to wear the apron you’re issued. Tasteful ear piercings are permitted (2 in each ear), but facial piercings should be removed. The only rule about hairstyle and color is that long hair should be worn up, and facial hair should be short and neatly trimmed.

Does Olive Garden Give You A Uniform?

Olive Garden should provide you with a uniform if you work as a chef. All other employees will be given an apron to wear over their clothing in line with the Olive Garden dress code. You’ll need a black button-down shirt, pants, socks, and non-slip shoes.

Do I Have To Wear My Uniform For Orientation At Olive Garden?

You should wear your uniform when you go to Olive Garden’s orientation. Orientation is paid training in the restaurant, so you must follow Olive Garden’s dress code.

Does Olive Garden Allow Color?

For clothing, all items should be black. For hair color, you can usually have whatever hair color you want as long as it’s one color. You must follow your restaurant’s rules if your general manager has a different hair color policy.

Does Olive Garden Allow Piercings?

Olive Garden’s dress code allows you to wear two piercings in each ear. Gauges up to and including size 14 are ok. You should remove any facial piercings during working hours unless you have a religious or cultural reason for needing to wear a facial piercing and have cleared the piercing with your manager.

Does Olive Garden Have A Hair Color Policy?

Olive Garden generally has a relaxed attitude about hair color. They’re more concerned about keeping your hair tidy and out of the food and drinks. Long hair beyond shoulder level should be worn up. You can wear whatever hair color you want in most locations, but if your general manager objects, you must follow their rules.

Wrapping Things Up

Olive Garden’s uniform policy and dress code make you comfortable and stylish at work.

Although you will have to purchase your uniform, which will cost you money, you get to choose the fabric and the fit of your clothing and footwear. And that’s not the case with a lot of food service uniforms.

Olive Garden’s dress code is a black button-down shirt, slacks, socks, and shoes with non-slip treads.

You can wear your hair in any style and color, but long hair should be worn up.

While tasteful earrings are fine, you won’t be allowed to wear other facial piercings, and tattoos should be covered.

See Also: CVS Dress Code