Dress code in tournaments

boogieman said:
I see your point, but I think it's irrelevant. I also see you grasping at loose ends trying to solidify your point but in my opinion it's untenable. It appears you cannot have a discussion but simply discount anything you don't agree with.

You think it looks amateurish. That's nice. I don't. That's also nice.

See where the problem here is? Neither of us sponsor pool so we don't really have a say in any of it. You think it looks amateurish, I don't. Neither is wrong or right.

There is no point in this conversation because anytime anyone says anything or gives an opinion that is different from yours you just discount it. We can agree to disagree. A polo shirt is not fancy. It's something you would wear to a BBQ. So is what Shane wore.

For the slow kids in the back it doesn't matter what they wore in the 90s. That's 30 years ago. This would be like in the 90s forcing the pros to well bell bottom pants. This is a silly argument. If a player is sponsored they wear what the sponsor requires. If they play at an event with a dress code, they wear that. It doesn't matter what we think it looks like. We aren't sponsors and we aren't paying the bills. Thinking you know what the sponsors want is a fruitless activity.

People have been rubbing their hands together thinking pool needs a more formal or professional dress code since 3 piece suits went away. Get real. It's a sport. As long as your ass crack isn't hanging out and you look somewhat professional what does it matter?


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You could have edited them love handles before posting...;-)
 
OverTheNut said:
I'm against a dress-code.

If a player is effortlessly running the table wearing flip-flops, shorts & a ripped t-shirt then so what? Who exactly would be put off of pool by this?

If anything - it would probably appeal more to a casual to see players wearing what they wanted. Would give the players character - instead of all looking like a bunch of clones of each other.
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This is definitely a good argument. I don't have a horse in the race either way. But look at professional corn hole, their dress code is odd. They get sponsors. People watch it and especially buy up boards, bags, etc. This sure doesn't look fancy. Some jerseys, hoodies, shorts, hats, etc. There is such a thing as personality. Would a player wearing a cowboy hat be a turn off, or would he/she be the darling of the fans? Who knows. Sorry boys and girls, you have to dress as you would on a golf course. But why? I get looking presentable, I'm not talking pajamas, ass cracks and torn clothes, but just why does pool have to look stuffy or upscale? Maybe at an elite event, but should all events be elite?

Like it or not, pool as played by 90% of people is closer to a barroom activity than a PGA tournament. Again, nothing wrong with looking professional, but pool isn't one size fits all.


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And what about professional darts:
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Think about how many fans and sold merchandise from shows like Duck Dynasty, look at Orange County Choppers, huge sales and they were/are characters, not a golf shirt in sight.

Pool needs a hook. Maybe more "personality" in the way of dress could do something. We've never tried it at the pro level. I know Jeanette Lee wore evening gowns, very classy, but not in any way a "pool uniform" like we see all pros having to wear today. Her manner of dress was part of what made her recognizable ie her brand, that and she could flat out play, was very smart with sponsors, dedicated, and hard working.

I really have no idea, just mainly thinking out loud. I have nothing wrong with dressing nice but as for attracting sponsors, I really think it's a red herring.
 
I see quite a few posts noting the extra cost of dressing nicely to shoot in tournaments.
Were the jeans, or custom ripped jeans, free? The same goes for the shirts. This is NOT a financial decision; it comes down to a lifestyle adjustment that lasts a few hours!
 
9Ballr said:
There should definitely be a dress code in all big tournaments.
It looks so bad to watch these guys in shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops.
Also those silly Hawaiian t-shirt looking things they wear have to go.
That's just the very minimum class and respect participants should show the sport or no one will take this game seriously.
This shouldn't even have to be noted.
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our team had orange Hawaiian shirts one year in Vegas.

Boy were they ugly.

Boy how we could find each other across the Riviera ballroom.
 
I grew up in the 50's and 60's when America had class. We don't anymore, and it
shows everywhere; churches, movie theaters, fine dinig establishments, so why not at a pool tournament.
I was fortunate enough to see Willie Mosconi in person many times in exhibitions and actually got to sit with him and have a nice conversation. You would never see him dressed like a slob. Tournaments of yore had players in tuxedos, and
 
dd1228 said:
I grew up in the 50's and 60's when America had class. We don't anymore, and it
shows everywhere; churches, movie theaters, fine dinig establishments, so why not at a pool tournament.
I was fortunate enough to see Willie Mosconi in person many times in exhibitions and actually got to sit with him and have a nice conversation. You would never see him dressed like a slob. Tournaments of yore had players in tuxedos, and
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Nowadays you go to the airport and see people look like they just rolled out of bed: mussed hair, flannel pajamas, slippers, and there they are at United, lol.

Lou Figueroa
 
I’m happy to see a lot of positive responses.

Another example:

Go to any junior golf event, and see how the kids dress. The answer is just like the professionals they admire on television, and they start playing that part from a young age.

If pool professionals did the same, there is zero doubt in my mind that the juniors would do the same, and maybe in a few years we could find that corporate sponsor.....
 
hello said:
Watching the Texas open with guys wearing short pants, SVP with a baseball cap, its no surprise to me pool has no big sponsors anymore...it looks amateurish...

Not saying suits should be worn but whats wrong with black trousers and a polo shirt like they used to?
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dd1228 said:
I grew up in the 50's and 60's when America had class. We don't anymore, and it
shows everywhere; churches, movie theaters, fine dinig establishments, so why not at a pool tournament.
I was fortunate enough to see Willie Mosconi in person many times in exhibitions and actually got to sit with him and have a nice conversation. You would never see him dressed like a slob. Tournaments of yore had players in tuxedos, and
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Even Gleason in the Hustler dressed to the nines, including a lapel flower.
 
I didn't read the whole thread, but I view this event as a casual weekend event that grew over the years, but kept its casual vibe. It's not a professional event with a nice dress code. It's meant to be a fun time, in a burning hot city so short pants are normal dress, and in a typical pool room (not convention center) setting.

That's my outsider view on it (I've never been in person).
 
you dont get corporate sponsors unless you get viewers to buy their products. dress attire may have a small part of it but pool isnt exciting to watch so only dedicated pool players will pay anything for it.

if you want to get pool to grow it has to be fun to play for the masses and fun to watch.
that takes the players, pool rooms, and tournament formats needs for change in what they do.
 
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