The typical uniform of a diner waitress — you know, the knee-length, cinched-waist, button-down dress in gingham or pastels — is iconic. That style came about in the 1920s as diners sprung up everywhere, and it’s somehow remained largely unchanged since the 1930s.
Let’s take a look back at vintage photos of American diners to see where that beautiful style began and how it’s evolved over the years.
1. “Try Quaker Breakfast…”
We don’t know how much Quaker paid this diner to shill their oats, but we do know that we love the thin white belt and the flower crown the waitress is wearing.
2. Catching Their Eye
Before the rise of the diner, men were generally running things in restaurants. But as women were getting out into the workforce more, diner owners realized that men liked seeing them as waitresses, and women preferred working with other women as well. Even if they had to wear uniforms, accessories like these bold earrings and a headscarf allowed for more eye-catching touches.
3. Texas, 1939
The waitress in this Texas diner in 1939 looks so stylish that she wouldn’t be out of place at a lunch counter today. The contrasting buttons in groups of three add interest, and the chunky square belt buckle is just perfect. The flutter sleeves feel so modern, too.
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4. Jack’s Sandwich Shop, 1941
This is a lunch counter in San Francisco, according to the Redditor who posted it. The waitress, who’s serving a business man in a suit, has lovely contrasting piping on her zip-up white uniform dress.
5. Chicago, 1942
The big white bows of the apron strings are the centerpiece of these waitress uniforms at a Chicago diner. This is also one of the few pictures where we see their shoes, which are a sensible low heel with lots of broguing for decoration.
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6. Counter Jukeboxes
The serpentine diner counter in this 1943 photo is helmed by two waitresses. We’re in love with the frilly, patterned aprons and the layered cardigan sweaters.
7. Beale Street Diner
This is a picture of Helen Ann Smith, according to the Redditor who posted it. She’s standing in a diner in Memphis sometime in the 1950s with a crisp-collared uniform and matching headband.
8. Butter Cream Bakery, 1950s
These women are waitressing at the Butter Cream Bakery, according to the caption under the photo. They all “await your every wish” in crisp white shirts with a mishmash of aprons. You can still visit the bakery and have breakfast at the diner counter.
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9. Chicago, 1952
Looking through this lunch counter window feels like looking into another world. The waitress is clearing a table or helping an unseen customer in a double-breasted dress with a wide lapel and banded sleeves.
10. Nuclear Burger
How about a nice “Uranium-burger”? This Salt Lake City diner named them that thanks to the region’s booming (get it?) uranium business at the time in 1954. Her uniform feels fit and proper with a half-apron and matching buttons.
11. Beautiful Beehive
Look at the expertly coiffed hair on this (presumably) 1960s waitress! Her long-sleeved turquoise top with tiny buttons matches the very groovy decoration in the diner above her head.
12. Pat’s Diner, 1960s
This is a New Jersey diner in the 1960s, if you couldn’t tell by the Polaroid photo and classic cars. The waitresses’ uniform has some very ’60s retro embroidery decoration, along with an orange apron that matches her handkerchief headband.
13. New York City, 1960s
This photo was taken in a West Village diner in the late ’60s, according to the Redditor that posted it. The waitress’s mini skirt uniform, big hairdo, and striking eye makeup all back that up. We adore the lace-trim dickie she’s wearing.
14. New Mexico, 1972
This is a truck stop waitress in the Southwest, according to the Redditor that posted the photo. Her sleek, all-white zipper dress (with pockets!) reminds us of a vintage nurse’s uniform. Somehow, her eyebrows match the flying bird decor on the wall behind her.
15. Trotter’s Diner, 1974
This lovely lady with the retro cat eye glasses is Peggy Wright, according to the Redditor that posted the photo. She’s pouring coffee in a polka-dot dress with the longest pointed collar we’ve ever seen at Trotter’s Diner in Laguna Beach, California, in 1974.
