What not to wear (to clubs)

Ladies, you are mercifully free from worrying about dress codes in Boston clubs. But don't let this nugget of information go to your heads. It's not that clubs think that you are walking fashion plates. Rather, they need to get you in the door so that the men will follow. Gentlemen, because there are too many of you trying to get past the velvet rope, and potentially far outnumbering the women, bouncers want to keep your numbers in check by enforcing a dress code. Here are rules for some of Boston's most popular clubs. Clip, save, and consult this guide, otherwise, you may find yourself mingling with cigarette butts on the sidewalk rather than ladies at the bar.

GYPSY BAR

No sleeveless T-shirts, no polo shirts, no rugby shirts, no sweats, no hats, no excessively baggy clothing, no work boots, no sneakers. In other words, Gypsy Bar does not want to be a sports bar. Wear a dress shirt and a pair of loafers. If you really want to blend in, go heavy on the hair gel and cologne. 116 Boylston St., www.gypsybarboston.com

THE ROXY

On Fridays, the dress code is no ripped jeans, no baggy jeans, no sneakers, no hats, no work boots, no athletic wear, and no sports jerseys. On Saturdays, however, the Roxy's gay night, the dress code is a simple "neat, but casual," meaning that as long as you look hot, you can wear whatever your heart desires. 279 Tremont St., www.roxyplex.com

THE ESTATE

Finally, a place where it's safe to wear sneakers, but only "fashionable sneakers," meaning no athletic sneakers. Sorry, Pete Sampras, but the Estate has determined that tennis sneakers are not fashionable. Flannel shirts are also not allowed, bad news for lumberjacks looking for a good time. Also not allowed at Estate: jogging suits(!), work boots, ripped or oversize jeans, hats, tank tops, and sports jerseys. 1 Boylston St. (the Alley), www.theestateboston.com

LIQUOR STORE

The home of bikini bull riding may take a less-is-more approach for women's attire, but is quite strict about what the gents are wearing. No hats, no sneakers, no work boots, no athletic wear, no ripped or baggy jeans, and, here's a new one, no hiking boots. Those hiking boots are simply too distracting to wear around professional bikini-clad mechanical bull riders. 120 Boylston St. (the Alley), www.liquorstoreboston.com

FELT BOSTON

Depending on which floor of the club you plan to visit, the dress code at Felt calls for no sportswear, no sneakers, no hats, and no work boots. However, if I had a nickel for every time I've worn sneakers to Felt, I'd have enough to purchase a paper parasol and an orange wedge to garnish a Feltini. 533 Washington St., www.feltclubboston.com

VENU

For a club that charges a $25 cover, a dress code makes sense. Venu does not allow hats, sneakers, or athletic wear. 100 Warrenton St., www.venuboston.com

DISTRICT

Perhaps the most challenging of Boston's dress codes to decipher, District's suggestion is that patrons dress "casual to dressy." This means if you're a lady and you're a babe, you can go casual. If you're a dude, leave the sneakers in the closet and dress to impress. 180 Lincoln St., www.districtboston.com

RUMOR

If you have any money left after paying the $25 cover to get in, Rumor's dress code calls for no baseball hats, work boots, or athletic wear. Rumor is adjacent to Venu, but the crowd at Rumor tends to have more of a European flavor. 100 Warrenton St., www.rumorboston.com