Bonus Track

A dress code dispatch from Athens

I had not planned for this post during my summer hiatus but I thought this was too good not to share. Here ya go…

I have certainly had my run ins with dress codes being enforced at the door of a restaurant, hotel bar, or club. I have been turned away from some of the best due to a pair of jeans, lack of a tie or proper jacket, and, God forbid, shorts. I have been asked to wear a tie around a cashmere turtleneck that I had on with a flannel suit (no fucking way I said! They made an exception.) I had my smart linen safari jacket replaced with a polyester, grease stained hopsack blazer (I protested but relented), have been downright refused to be seated at a cafe table (wearing shorts on a 100 degree day in Paris at the Lutetia), and even denied a main dining room table at the 21 Club wearing Japanese selvedge denim with a tweed blazer and necktie. (a large amount of protesting here!)

Well, it’s happened again—this time in Athens at the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Let me explain.

We were meant to try a new-to-us bar (an old school place called the Galaxy), but it was closed, so we decided to head to one of our favorite spots—the Hotel Grand Bretagne. It was a pleasant but hot evening, and I was in shorts (white RL Polo in a respectable length of 7”, my Hemingworth collab Hamilton linen shirt, and some very location appropriate Greek leather sandals.) We love the rooftop bar at the Bretagne— the martinis are always perfectly made, and to sip them in the open air overlooking Athens with a view of the Acropolis is magical. If coming here was a part of our original plan, I would have certainly have worn trousers and even a jacket—it is that kind of place—but the quick detour did not give me time to change.

Left; my hotel “loaners” Right; the original kit as intended

Upon entering the bar, a very gentle and sweet woman at the front kindly stopped me and said there was an evening dress code being enforced. I could have shorts with closed toe shoes, or long pants with open toe shoes, but in both shorts and sandals I clearly was not at all in compliance. I said “oh damn that sucks” and was about to leave without my typical protest and speech about discretion, but then she said “don’t worry we can give you a pair of pants to wear!” I was like “what!?” to which she replied “yes, what is your size?” A few seconds later she came out with a shopping bag of pressed cotton khakis in two size options. Genius!! I have been offered tatty ugly neckties and greasy polyester blazers but never pants!! I quickly went to the men’s room, pulled the khakis on (over my shorts for convenience), and headed back to join Yolanda at the bar.

I have to say the khakis were perfect (Zara I believe), and worked quite well with my evening’s styling. I was really impressed with the loaner pant option and I applaud the Bretagne for their thoughtfulness and understanding that sometimes a tourist shows up in the Athens heat in a not-so-appropriate bar attire. When I returned dressed in their pants I was allowed to sit at the bar. Everything was perfect because of their thoughtful loaner trousers—the martinis were served just as the glow of the evening light on the Acropolis was perfect for our traditional photo op.

*I am generally ok with dress code requirements at clubs, bars and restaurants and I am generally happy to comply. I also understand these establishments are trying to avoid sloppy dressers in ripped jeans, baseball hats and flip flops- I get it. My one complaint is that the folks at the helm of enforcing these rules should have some discretion.

For example if your rule is NO JEANS, sometimes a pair of dark selvedge custom denim and loafers paired with a Harris tweed blazer, white oxford shirt and knit tie is a much smarter style play then some ill fitting polyester blend trousers that somehow are acceptable in accordance to the policy of some establishments dress codes.

Just sayin’…

You decide…

Ps. Even though the guys behind me fit the bill for entry—see above—with unfortunate shorts (ugh!) and closed toe shoes (neon trainers) in my opinion, they looked absolutely ridiculous for the setting (although being compliant to the rules). My case in point for some discretion at the door.