interesting . . . I felt much like Rachlou, that it would be a subconscious thing. I did not end up wearing them, mostly due to the BF's request should I ruin my one good pair of jeans.
I wore my grey skinny cargo cords. But I pulled on them all night, as they are now half a size or so too big I did get even more comments from my fellow servers on my purple Dansko Veda's. I explained they are made by the professional clog people and I could see their eyes brighten up lol.
As an aside, I am finding the close fit tees awkward after embracing drapier fits this last year. I wonder if I can order a looser tee or two.
Terrible, pic, I know . . . but grey on grey with a black cable zip up cardi for the cold. Black apron once I got to work.

As many have said it is the service which counts...however as someone pointed out, we do send signals to our brains relating price to brand and affordability. I would have asked myself "I wonder how can she afford those jeans?" and if she can afford those jeans then I don't have to tip much. It is like arriving at work in a Porsche and your customers see you getting out the car. I don't think they would tip much compared to if you got out of a beaten up VW Beetle. Whom are we to judge, you could have got the Porsche for a good deal, or it was left to you by your Grandad...but as humans we do judge, assume and perceive things.

I appreciate anyone in the service industry looking like they want to be there and are proud of their job.
Someone who is proud of their appearance will get a better tip from me because I appreciate the effort, as the customer.

Hmm, I think this question deserves a research grant so that it can be properly investigated. How about I apply for the grant--making sure it can cover the cost of accommodations and lift tickets in Tahoe for me, and a wardrobe of jeans that run the gamut from inexpensive to $$$$ for you, and we give this topic the serious attention it deserves.

I'm game for it if you are, Mo.

I haven't read all of the replies, so i hope i'm not repeating.
If my server was dressed really well, i'd think she was quite successful at her job! How you chose to spend your $ is your own business. How well you treat me as a customer is what i care about.

Ha! Gaylene, you get that going would you?
I've yet to wear them but if and when I do I will pay attention to tip percentage, and if it affects what women vs. men tip.

I was a server and bartender for 3 years and i wouldn't wear my nice clothes just because i always ended up a mess! I don't think it would effect your tip though. The average person won't notice your pants or know where they came from.

Funny you talked about servers mentioning kids to get more $. I had several girls tell me to cover my book with photos of my son to get better tips.

And then once when i did mention my son (which came up naturally in conversation) a customer asked me a question and then said, "I'm always curious about children having children in the school system." Which took me a minute to get. Apparently she thought i was much younger than i was and thought i had my son when i was in high school (i didn't. I had him at 22.)? A lot of assumptions on her part and kind of rude to say to someone? o.O People are fun.

Sorry i took this kind of OT! I just love talking about "in the biz" times lol.

Late to this discussion, but I am generally a generous tipper, and I take only the service (attentiveness, friendliness, etc) of the server into account. I have never taken notice if whether a server is wearing something "expensive." Anyone who withholds a tip for that reason, even though the service is good, is cheap and going to find *some* reason to hold back, IMHO.

Now, wearing your good jeans to work is a whole other debate.
I tend to "save" my good jeans.

It's taken me a while to chime in. First I had to read the Freakonomics article which Runnerchick linked to, plus all of the comments!

In a nutshell, I am completely in agreement that there are 10% tippers, 15%ers, and 20%ers as discussed in the above article. What you get, assuming the service was good (timely, accurate, friendly, drinks refilled and check processed quickly) in my experience has less to do with your service provided and more to do with the person who's tipping you.

Since my mother and brother are the owners of the restaurant where I work, people often think I am also an owner (which I am not). This results in fewer or no tips from time to time, even though my parties say "everything was great!" So that gets in my way more than if I'm wearing my True Religion jeans (which I often do). The only person over the past 3 years to ever notice I am wearing TRs was one of my gay co-workers. And, as Janet says, if they want to punish me and tip less because of that, then they are usually the type who will find something wrong with my service as a way to feel ok about poor tipping. For example, people will sometimes not want to engage with me at all, i.e. respond when I ask them "how's your day going?" or something like that. Because then they connect with me and feel worse about not tipping.

The topic of tipping is fascinating and I agree that it says as much about the tipper as the one being tipped.

I have never worked in an industry where I received tips as part of my compensation, but early on in the corporate world, right out of school, I noticed something I didn't expect -- and continued to observe over the years. Those that came across as having money/security (whether it was a suspected trust fund or generous parents; a spouse with good income; lottery winner, etc.) were treated better, got away with more, and paid more than those that worked just as hard or harder but obviously needed the money (cheaper clothes, car, haircut; single parent; unemployed or disabled spouse). It appeared to me that those who look like they needed the job/money more were perceived as more vulnerable and therefore could be treated less fairly than those who had more perceived options. This came as a surprise to me as a young adult, because in my mind it should be the opposite, which is to offer more to those more vulnerable or with greater need, especially if they've earned it. I guess this is why the corporate world is called "dog eat dog" or "the rat race."

Anyway, my gut reaction to Mo's question, based on my experience in the corporate world was that she'd get better tips in her TR jeans from those who actually knew what they cost or thought subconsciously that she looked "expensive," looking like she didn't really need their money -- she'd have a perceived higher value.

Oh, Janet, I have been guilty of 'saving' my good clothes forever. I need to really try and get out of that mindset. They go out of fashion before they wear out lol!

Interesting, Claudia! I know that when it's time to give out loans, the banks seem to want to give it to those who don't need the money so badly, as opposed to those in dire straits.

Denise, I agree that many people are certain % tippers unless the service is exceptional in either direction, good or bad. We tip basically 20% and even when service is poor it's very hard to leave nothing. Honestly, in FL we had a horrible experience and left like 50 cents or something, so they would know we didn't forget, but that we did not approve of the service. But we have only done so a couple times in the 11 years we have been going out to eat together.
It is always either performance based, or attitude, for us - never what they wear or smell like or whatever lol!
And, big bummer on those who stiff you assuming you are part owner