I worked at Hooters – the strict rules we have to follow including bans on certain bras
WEARING the famous Hooters uniform is a badge of honor for employees – but one wrong move can get staff in serious trouble.
One ex-employee has revealed the strict guidelines she had to follow at the restaurant, which included uniform requirements that extended to her undergarments.
Before she became a YouTube personality, Christine Di'Amore in 2009. She reflected on her experiences in a video on her channel.
Though Di'Amore loved many parts of working at Hooters – like the massive cash tips she often walked away with – there were other things, like the strict rules, she definitely didn't miss.
"You can't have any visible tattoos," she began, making her way through a list of the uniform rules.
The rule didn't necessarily mean that anyone with tattoos wouldn't be hired, but staff with body ink could expect a greater time investment when getting ready for work.
"The girls who do have tattoos in areas that were exposed by their uniform would have to wear this special foundation or cover-up," Di'Amore explained.
The foundation had to be thick enough to fully cover the tattoos and long-lasting enough to stay put through a whole shift.
Despite the sexy nature of the Hooters uniform, waitresses can't ask for long, red, femme-fatale nails when they go get a manicure.
"Your nails have to be clean," Di'Amore explained. "They can either be bare with clear nail polish, have a nude nail polish, or French tips."
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The strict style limitations extend to hair, too.
"You can never have your hair tied up in any way – no bobby pins or anything," the ex-staffer recalled.
Instead, waitresses should budget for a regular blowout or develop their own styling skills.
"Your hair always has to be down and you literally have to have a full face of hair and makeup on at all times," Di'Amore said.
Even the foundation garments underneath the iconic uniform are subject to scrutiny.
"You're only allowed to wear tan or white bras so nothing's visible underneath your shirt," Di'Amore remembered.
In the comments section, a current employee said the updated company handbook actually has even more limiting rules for Hooters employees.
"White bras are NOT allowed, it states it in the handbook," the woman wrote. "Can only wear tan bras with white shirts and black bras with the black uniform."