What the OpenTable Team Wears to Work

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In the not-so-good ol' days, a dinner reservation required a conversation. With a person. On the phone. There was no such thing as utilizing a bout of insomnia to schedule your dining calendar for the next month at 3am while the rest of the world slept. In the pre-Internet era, you could only book a table during business hours.

OpenTable (OT) changed that. The booking platform now accounts for 47 percent of dining reservations in North America, seating 16 million restaurant-goers each month. (If you book rezzies online, chances are you're part of that number.)

Since OT has an office full of foodies who love to dine out, we decided to drop by its San Francisco headquarters to check out staffers' day-to-dinner looks (and pick up tips on covering food and wine spills). It may not be a fashion brand, but OT staffers have no reservations when it comes to style with bite.

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Gregory Golphin, Account Manager, Mobile Payments, wearing a Topman shirt, Express pants and socks, Dissident cardigan, Ted Baker scarf, Johnston & Murphy shoes, and a Tissot watch.

Describe your personal style in three words.
Detailed classics, updated.

What have you learned about fashion from working at OpenTable?
I used to be in the Coast Guard and wore a uniform for nine years. [There's] not much choice in your outfit day to day. OpenTable doesn't have a strict dress code, so working here has allowed me to figure out what I like. My outfit usually takes bits from both worlds, casual but detail oriented. I still shine my own shoes.

A last-minute reservation opens up at a very exclusive restaurant. You're at work in jeans and sneakers, and you don't have time to go home and change. What do you do?
I keep a pair of oxfords under my desk for just such occasions. Then throw on the cardigan or the leather jacket I wore that day, and I'll probably be set. It helps that San Francisco dress codes can be pretty liberal.

What's the better home remedy for red wine stains: club soda or white wine?
Neither. More red wine is always the answer. Best when applied directly to your now empty glass.

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Shayla Smith, Financial Systems Analyst, wearing a Warehouse dress, Jeffrey Campbell boots, Love Stitch scarf, and Alkemie ring.

Describe your personal style in three words. Edgy, simple, fun.

Have you ever purchased a new outfit to wear to a fancy restaurant? What was the outfit? (And the restaurant?)
Of course! I bought a black All Saints tulip dress to wear to a birthday dinner at Chez Panisse with my bestie. It's short, has cage straps across the back and looks great with boots or heels. Best part? It has pockets. Pockets!

What is your worst shopping habit?
I get lost for hours on Wanelo. Mobile shopping is so addictive! Especially when you have a wealth of vetted items in your feed.

What's your typical office look?
I have a uniform for life both in and out of the office that consists of boots, leggings, a draped top or a short dress, chunky scarf, cuffs and a moto jacket. It's versatile, comfortable and simple.

You're going to a costume party with strict instructions to dress like your favorite dish from your favorite restaurant. What's the dish and what do you wear?
I'm a sucker for brunch and dream of NOPA's French Toast. For the costume, I'd wear something understated and all black while carrying around a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a couple of flutes—and I'd sing "Santé!" and "Tchin Tchin!" as I greet other guests. Clearly, I'm also a sucker for puns.

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Thushara Paul, Senior Software Engineer, wearing a Nicole Miller dress, Cole Haan pumps, and earrings from India.

Describe your personal style in three words. Classic, formal, heels.

What is your worst shopping habit?
Online shopping is a major issue, especially when I sit at home and don't step outside. Being with the computer for more than 10 hours in a typical day makes this is a high-priority issue that really needs to be taken care of!

What have you learned about fashion from working at OpenTable?
Anything that's comfortable and makes you feel good is the best outfit you can wear.

What's the best pattern (or color other than black) for covering food and wine spills?

Any dark color will hide a stain. For light colors, I make sure there are dark patterns or prints on it.

What's your typical office look?
I always wear high heels; I think they make any look complete. I'm not a big fan of jeans. Instead, I love dresses— dress it up or down with simple earrings. I never wear jewelry on my hands, as it's a big distraction while coding. I love earrings— especially dramatic, hanging earrings.

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Cort Cunningham, Senior Director, Brand Marketing, wearing a Zanerobe shirt, Frank & Oak sweater, A.P.C. jeans, Nicora Johns vegan boots, Saturdays socks, Eight Below Zero eyeglasses., and a Ray Griffiths custom ring.

Describe your personal style in three words. Urban, layered, straightforward.

What's your typical office look?
Typically I try to maintain my New York edge in a more casual San Francisco: A button-down shirt under a sweater with a subtle pattern, a hint of color or added detail that commands a second glance. Also a pair of jeans and sneakers that look good but are comfortable for a long day in the office and a coffee break in the warm sun.

Which fashion trend do you love right now, and which one would you never be caught dead trying?
I try not to follow every single trend, as I want my style to fit who I am as a person. I like wearing a modern, updated take on a classic look. I am glad that the modern man now defaults to slim-fitting clothes, as that's what looks best on me.

What is your worst shopping habit?
When I go to my favorite clothing store in Copenhagen, I can't help but buy way too many things. Being tall, it's amazing to be in a place where everything fits and is stylish. I love every piece I've bought there—and now I live far away from Copenhagen, so maybe it's not such a bad habit after all!

What have you learned about fashion from working at OpenTable?
At OpenTable, I can be my true self. It's a casual environment, so I like taking the opportunity to stand out and have my style reflect my personality and my values. I've enjoyed proving to people here (and more broadly) that you can be vegan and still look great (and eat well)!

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Alexandra Loscher, Marketing Communications Specialist, wearing Bass oxfords, Madewell cotton + leather skirt, J.Crew striped top layered over a Joe Fresh plaid shirt, Nixon watch, brass, gold, and silver bangles, a Mingle Jewelry arc ring, and her dad's wedding band.

Describe your personal style in three words. Stripes or solids.

A last-minute reservation opens up at a very exclusive restaurant. You're at work in jeans and sneakers, and you don't have time to go home and change. What do you do?
Throw on some red lipstick! The shade Heat Wave by Nars is my favorite.

What's the better home remedy for red wine stains: club soda or white wine?
White wine, but be sure to pour it in your mouth, instead of on your (most likely helpless) red wine stain. I once spilled an entire glass of red wine all over a white dress at a pop-up dinner party in Sonoma. I found that the best remedy is to just laugh and hope that some combination of club soda and bleach will help the day after.

What's your go-to outfit for a night out?
I don't really stray too far from my daytime outfits. Even if I do dress up a bit, I will typically wear flats. San Francisco hills are not a friend to heels.

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