The OP did not say “dress up”; there is a whole universe of clothing between a running outfit and a suit.
I would not wear a running outfit to a dinner at Wild Ginger (nor would I wear a suit). I would dress casually, but nicely.
No . . . definitely not the Nike shorts at Wild Ginger (which I guess falls into the cool Thai bracket). That’s where the change in venue would be in order once wardrobe limitations were disclosed.
I have been to several very nice high end Thai restaurants in Bangkok. I do not automatically associate Thai food with gym shorts.
I thought I’d been to Wild Ginger and it wasn’t that fancy. Probably wore jeans. You know, the only clothes I wear on a layover are shorts or jeans (if I’m not working out). I go to a lot of nice restaurants, because I like to eat well. Don’t remembet ever feeling uncomfortable for a minute. They like your money, and the wait staff only cares if you’re friendly. I guess I must be oblivious.
I never paid nearly as much attention to what people wore until I found CC. At the family restaurant tonight, I paid close attention to what the 100 or so people in our section were wearing. As it was all booth seating, I couldn’t see many bottoms, though. My findings: 1)Only a handful-5- were elderly, but the men wore button-down shirts and the women, “summer sweaters”, those short-sleeved thin ones. 2)For the 50-60 set, men were equally dressed in polos or short-sleeve button-down shirts, including H. Of the bottoms I could see, they wore either cargo shorts or jeans. Women wore printed knit tops . 3)Everyone 30 and under had on tee shirts. Some wore jeans, at least two had on yoga pants, and one wore an exercise top/bra like PG described earlier. Two wore shorts, my D included. That’s not to say ONLY those two wore shorts, but of those I could see, 2 were shorts. 4)Did not see many 40 somethings. Mostly tees and jeans there, though. 5)Saw only 2 dresses, both casual, like a sundress, both 20 somethings.
Maybe it’s that this is Seattle, but people here are REALLY casual. I DO see people in all kinds of stores in scubs, in exercise wear, in sweats, in hoodies, and in shorts. About once a year H and I go to a very high-end steakhouse in town and I’ve seen men in their 60’s in cargo shorts, women in flip flops. I also see kids climbing on the back of the benches or wandering around their tables. Guess which thing I care about?
The OP did not change venues to save her guests embarrassment. She changed the location to save HERSELF the embarrassment of being seen with what she believed was an “underdressed” teen at a place where “really casual” means, to her, “nice pants”. It all worked out because like any teen, the kid appreciated a good burger and a free meal from someone nice enough to treat her. She’ll never know that she was considered clueless for only wearing what every other teen probably brought with them on their trip.
Jeans are fine most places. Jeans are not the same as gym shorts to many people. Me included at the moment, although this could change if designers upgrade them like they did with flip flops.
Seems like many people here would be horrified if they visited a place like Hawaii, where lots of people walking around or eating in restaurants look like they just came from the beach (because many of them actually did just come from the beach), wearing tank tops, board shorts, and flip flops (the $2 kind).
Well, since I dont know what henleys are, or dolphin shorts, and have slipped out on occasionin pajama jeans (which look like real jeans so really no one can easliy tell), and I dont know if my flats are cute or not, surely someone, somewhere has been offended by my attire. Oh well. But I happened to wear a sundress and sandals (wedge type) that got several compliments today. So all is well with the world… though I guess other people pay more attention to what others are wearing than I do.
FWIW, the OP resolved her issue 2 days ago…
I think much of this is very regional. I never think twice or even consider what someone is wearing as a negative. I just care how the person treats others, and don’t judge them for what they are wearing. They could be wearing almost anything, and I’d still find something to compliment them on.
However, in the interest of full disclosure, my kids have gotten a lot of lectures on what to wear for interviews. I don’t think my oldest son listened to one word of what I said, however, when he came to visit, we got him some new clothes that he wore to the interviews. Must have worked, because he got some job offers. Thank God.
We don’t know if the girl in the OP post was told that orientation would be hot and to be prepared for warm weather.
I wouldn’t have been offended by her clothing choices. I also know at that age many young people think they know everything and probably went against her parents advice to bring something nicer. I would never fly in shorts since I get cold. My H almost always travels in shorts.
I live in a tourist town on the coast of Ca. I can spot the European tourist a mile away by the dress and shoes.
I also can usually guess the out of state tourists, the women are more dressed and the men are dressed in nicer shorts and shirts. The locals dress pretty casual. It is not uncommon for women to be out shopping and dining in what many of you would consider only for exercise. Yoga capris and pants are consider normal everyday clothing. I see many women dining out in their tennis clothes.
Last night I went out with a group. I had on a linen dress with sandals, another younger woman had on a maxi dress and scarf. Another jeans, boots and a nice blouse. The other college age female had on yoga pants and a college logo tank. The males were both in shorts with t shirts with some sort of print. I often see males of various ages wearing surf board shorts as regular clothing.
Khaki shorts and a polo would be considered a work outfit for a younger man. I don’t know any college age or 20 something that even own a pair of khaki shorts. My kids tease their Dad that his work outfit looks like a catholic school boy. Shorts and a polo.
I dropped my 25 yr old off to take the Airbus to the airport. He had on basketball shorts and a white v neck tee. His sister had on jeans and a tank. I think both could have been dressed nicer but they are adults. They do both know how to clean up when they need to.
It wasn’t Hawaii. Was an urban east coast area. Wasn’t jeans or yoga pants. Was some sort of Nike gym shorts. Not some fancy brand. Didn’t wear it cuz she came straight from a game and time was tight. Wasn’t running a quick errand.
Was meeting adults. It was all she packed.
As they say around these parts “Chill Dude”.
Nike shorts and t-shirts is almost all we wear around here 11 months a year; except for weddings. Then we put our good shorts and Hawaiian shirts on.
nice recap, lookingforward.
We know, jym! We are just yakkin’ away.
“Maybe it’s that this is Seattle, but people here are REALLY casual.”
Still, REALLY casual to even in Seattle is not “gangsta shorts” (to borrow the term from idad who uses it to describe knee length, baggy, nylon Nike running shorts) and a tee to a dinner, unless it is a hole in a wall, in and out, greasy burger or a sandwich place. We ate at a casual sit-down sushi place tonight, and I observed the crowd. Some jeans, some nicer shorts, tees, polos, long sleeved shirts, yet not a single pair of “gangsta pants” in sight.
She was told REALLY casual. What is more casual than Nike shorts and a t-shirt?
Perhaps if the OP wanted something specific then she should have been specific.
But OP defined “really casual.”. Sundress or nice long pants.
^^^That’s not casual.
This has become the most absurd thread! I come in and out of it, and pages and pages later round and round it goes.
On a lighter note, I usually don’t wear workout clothes unless I just worked out (well, I do wear t-shirts, does that count? No idea…), but next time I am going out to eat, I will try to wear workout clothes, just in honor of this thread 
For sure, a sundress would be considered formal, in my book! That’s high class dressing up.
^^^Exactly!
And long pants? In the summer?! No way for me.
Not just long pants, but nice ones. Yikes,I only wear those for weddings, checkrides, and first class travel (required). You must live on the west coast.
This is a fascinating thread.
We had a recent dinner for our extended family at a nice HI country club ( where the extended family has attended various events over the past 4 decades). Have never known there was any dress code until one of the members of our party was quietly but firmly informed that his dress shorts, polo shirt and slippers were below the dress code and he needed long pants. He fortunately was able to borrow a pair of slacks from a relative living nearby.
It was the talk of the evening in our party that this young man in his late 40s who holds a respected professional career was turned away for violating the dress code we weren’t aware existed but instinctively dressed in long pants (including jeans), dresses, and other appropriate attire. His wife and both of their Ds knew appropriate attire, just not the clueless male. He had no particular excuse other than he liked wearing shorts and had worn it previously there (for golf and lunches) with no problems. He was surprised and miffed for being singled out.