When should clubs have dress codes, and what is the right level?
A reader sent this article:
- King scraps all-white tennis dress code at Buckingham Palace court <https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/king-scraps-all-white-tennis-dress-code-at-buckingham-palace-court-vg0fmrnx7>
An excerpt:
On Wimbledon’s hallowed grass courts, the “almost entirely white” dress code remains as rigid as ever — but... Charles has recently relaxed the previously strict dress code [at Buckingham Palace court], with tennis whites now “preferred” but “not essential” for players, who include members of the royal family, royal household staff and their guests...
Despite being known for his smart and formal approach to dressing, it is understood the King — who is rarely seen without a tie, and never in trainers or jeans — wanted his staff and their guests to feel less restricted by protocol when playing tennis.
As old fashioned some people feel they can go anywhere and wear anything. The club should set limits to what is acceptable to their standards. People should be presentable to the establishment they are entering. The level should be set by the establishment and the patrons should abide by it. Unfortunately this is needed today more than ever.
ReplyDeleteI have always worn whites (with modest logos if visible at all) for tennis and squash. I think that is appropriate for private venues and not a hardship. I don't remember anyone complaining about wearing whites whether at homes or clubs. I am sure that in many places it was simply a custom and not a "rule," but, of course, perhaps it didn't need to be a rule for people to follow. To this day, I have seen little, if any, colorful attire that looks as good as whites on a court.
ReplyDeleteClubs should make their own rules. I wish more establishments of all kinds had dress codes. People today are pigs with no sense of occasion, no dignity, and no respect for others. I would like to go somewhere where I do not have to look at bloated, sagging flesh poorly and inadequately clad.
ReplyDeleteWell said. It seems half the people who fly domestic are dressed like they were slaughtering a pig, looked up and said “the heck with this. I’m going to Los Angeles.” They then went directly to the airport.
DeleteIsn’t that the truth. Alas, even international flights, in summer anyway, attract a few who seem to seek comfort in sloppiness.
Delete...as my Polish mother would say, "It all depends upon who they are, and from whence they came..." (in Polish, of course...). Rules aside, there's the question of good taste - - which hopefully isn't limited to one's taste buds...
DeleteBanacek
I believe that in the age of tattoos, dress codes are more critical than ever. They are being relaxed everywhere and it is a case of the pendulum swinging in the wrong direction. It is like a much worse version of the Rodney Dangerfield character in “Caddyshack”. You may have laughed at the time, but now look where it’s led.
ReplyDeleteCricket whites are now for the county championship. Red ball cricket as opposed to the limited over, white ball cricket that is so heavily promoted nowadays.
ReplyDeleteSurrey seem to be the only county that are doing anything about the decline in the traditional formats.
I once heard that the definition of a lady or gentleman is someone who always tries to make sure the people around him or her are as comfortable as possible. I think that a clearly communicated dress code is decidedly polite. If everyone is dressed to the same standard (and that standard is made clear), then there's no risk of someone being under or over-dressed and people can feel comfortable and relaxed.
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteI can't say. I would never wish to belong to a Club that would have me as a member.
ReplyDelete...said Samuel Clemens...
DeleteB.
Groucho was the one who said that, wasn’t he?
DeleteGroucho Marx was Samuel Clemens' nom-de-plume. By the way, when someone uses a fictitional name to write a cooking book, it is called a nom-nom-nom-de-plume
DeleteOur favorite Long Island golf club has a somewhat strict dress code. Among the forbidden garments, both on the course and in the clubhouse, are; jeans, cargo shorts, shirts without collars, and tennis clothing. My favorite directive is, “all ball caps must be worn with the brim facing forward at all times.”
ReplyDelete`I always ask "Are you a baseball catcher or a welder " ? I know a lot of welders.
DeleteBackwards ballcap makes it easier to chug a can of Natural Light (aka Fratty Light), brah!
DeleteA club or establishment have the right to refuse entry on any grounds, be it dress code or not otherwise the freedom of association is being violated
ReplyDeleteClass will out!
ReplyDeleteIt is not as easy for clubs to enforce dress codes as it once was. Sadly, younger generations scoff at what they deem stuffy rules of what is and is not appropriate. It is easy to forget that most clubs must have an eye to the present and future , in order to survive economically. They are increasingly reliant on younger members dues, and thus must cater to changing tastes.
ReplyDeleteThis phenomenon is on display currently at the Yale Club, where they have placed a sign at the entrance to the main lounge reminding members of their dress code. However upon entering the beautiful space there is a stark dichotomy of younger people in white sneakers and older people in leather dress shoes.
The same was true at the Princeton
DeleteClub before thier closure during covid. I was
OK with it but not my wife.
The vast majority of clubs require players to wear clothes and shoes made for tennis. Shirtless is of course banned. Often, the clubs also disallow tanks or sleeveless shirts, tees for other sports teams, backwards ball caps, and bare midriffs. However, an all-white rule is uncommon outside of clubs in the Northeast. Either all-white or with color, no one should get their knickers in a twist about it. The important traditions -- such as honest line calls and genuine courtesy -- live on, even at municipal courts.
ReplyDeleteYour serve is perfect. Thank you. Integrity and love for the game are what matters. “It doesn’t matter what you wear just as long as you are there.”
ReplyDeleteDress codes are really essential to preserve the sense of dignity and good manners to be expected from all members therein .
ReplyDelete