The last time Jaberwoke changed its dress code, it caused more controversy than dress codes usually do. You may remember a banon plain white t-shirts, but not black ones, and a ban on camouflage, but not shimmering purple robes. Needless to say it was strange and capricious. Following several days of debate, Student Council hosted a public forum where students and members of the community predictably expressed outrage with the new regulations, which some thought targeted certain ethnic groups. Jaberwoke predictably rescinded the old, bizarre dress code and awaited suggestions from students for the new one. Equally predictable was what happened next. Nothing.
As so often occurs when the debate calls for more than condemnatory resolutions, few people bother to offer constructive solutions once the smoke clears and the invective quiets. Everyone wants to come to the party, no one wants to stay and design a new dress code. So, to avoid reliving the late unpleasantness, here are a few guidelines for implementing dress codes without infuriating anyone, which, despite recent evidence to the contrary, is not that difficult.
First, dress codes should be proactive, not reactionary. Jaberwoke co-owner Andy McClure explained that the last dress code was based on "six years of experience in the Charlottesville restaurant community," implying that the old dress code was designed with certain, specific problems in mind. Rather than designing a dress code to remove surgically certain behavioral problems, it's better to take a general health approach. For instance, rather than banning plain white t-shirts simply ban all t-shirts entirely. If the goal is to class up Jaberwoke and McClure thinks such attire detracts from a sophisticated atmosphere, plain white t-shirts are just as gauche as plain electric yellow ones. And by banning both, the restaurant can attract better dressed patrons without seeming too calculating.
Second, dress codes should not target any group specifically, even if that group includes individuals from every race and culture. Dress codes should target two things: safety and ambiance. Regarding safety, McClure is perfectly justified in banning sunglasses and hoods from being worn indoors, both of which could cause safety issues. Phrasing it that way, and not as an attempt to ban hooded sunglasses-wearing ruffians, makes it less controversial.
Third, if, as McClure says, Jaberwoke intends to become "much more like a club," Jaberwoke should consider implementing a dress code befitting that image. Many clubs ban flip-flops, for example. Some even ban tennis shoes and exceedingly baggy clothing, under which people can conceal weapons or illicit beverages. (Again, stressing the safety aspect would avoid much of the criticism that stemmed from the first dress code.)
Fourth, any dress code should be implemented after 10:00 p.m., when Jaberwoke sheds it peaceful, family clientele and dons its role as a den of iniquity and 80s dance parties. One can't imagine too many problems with drunk, rowdy patrons at lunchtime, and McClure acknowledged that most, if not all, the problems that prompted the dress code in the first place occurred at night.
Implementing the new dress code without offending anyone should not be difficult, as most upscale restaurants in Charlottesville seem to do it without incident. If the new dress code evokes the same affronted tone as the old one did, at least McClure can take comfort in knowing that, considering past experience, it's probably just empty threats.
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