Games and sports with terrible fashion sense

Photo by Morgan David de Lossy on Unsplash

Call the fashion police! Some sports and game stars won’t win any prizes when it comes to their fashion sense. So, we thought it might be fun to have a look at some examples of the dodgy game and sports dress codes.

Golf

There is no uniform clothing code for golf, although wearing denim jeans on the course is frowned upon.

Golf clubs determine their own dress code – but players have developed a rather strange list of fashion items. These might include hideous jumpers, strange headwear and loud trousers.

If uncertain, wear chinos and a button-down shirt. No club will object to the proposal. Not if the shirt is tucked into the trousers, as certain clubs restrict shirts that are not tucked in.

On the golf course, shorts are always a bit of a risqué subject. Actually, not the shorts themselves so much – the majority of clubs require that they are fitted and lengthy – but the socks worn with them. Some clubs require long socks such that the only exposed skin is the kneecap, while others permit any sort of sock and others only permit short white socks. Fore goodness sake!

Cycling

Lycra! Just … Why? We understand that this choice of attire probably has something to do with aerodynamics and comfort, but seriously?

Lycra shows every lump and bump and leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. While it might seem perfectly normal for those who partake in the sport regularly, when you are stuck behind a cyclist when you are in your car, there’s nothing more off-putting than a Lycra-clad bottom bobbing up and down in front of you.

Fencing
Photo by Ralph Leue on Unsplash

Fencing might appear to be a game that only the rich and privileged play, but when you look at fencing attire as a whole, it just isn’t as sexy as you may think. It certainly doesn’t come close to what swashbuckling pirates such as Captain Jack Sparrow wear in the films.

The fencing rule book when it comes to what you can and can’t wear, is extremely strict.

Fencing masks must meet CEN 1 standards. Masks with damaged steel mesh should be discarded. Fencing requires a mask backstrap. A backstrap is made of elastic at least 35 mm wide, secured to the side of the mask at each end, and torqued to keep the mask in place. During fencing, it must be tightened.

Jackets should be the right length, fit properly, and fastened opposite the sword arm or back. When on guard, breeches and jacket should overlap by at least 4 inches. Never use damaged, torn, or overused clothing.

Trousers must meet CEN 1 (350N) minimum safety standards. Below-knee breeches are required. Breeches can be replaced by tracksuit trousers or trousers that are full length and if all openings and pockets are either zipped, sewn or taped shut.

An under-jacket or T-shirt isn’t enough, and a plastron must be worn. Breeches should always cover socks, so no bare skin shows and finally, the shoes. Worn soles on shoes should be replaced. You can’t wear dirty shoes from the car to the fencing area. No Velcro, slip-on, or flip-flops. Who knew?

Poker

Poker doesn’t have a dress code per se; it’s generally up to the players what they want to wear, which usually means jeans and a sports shirt.

However, many players wear hoodies, caps and sunglasses indoors because they don’t want others to see their face and read their game.

Let’s just say some of the clothing on display at poker tournaments is “casual”.

Tennis
Photo by Moises Alex on Unsplash

Don’t get us wrong, tennis outfits have come on leaps and bounds since the days of Fred Perry. But there are still some rules and regulations that tennis players have to adhere to if they want to reach it to the tennis courts.

Tennis matches do not have a rigid dress code in general, though it often depends on the competition or location. Players are often expected to wear a shirt, some form of trousers, shorts, or skirt, and tennis shoes.

Oh, and if you’re playing at Wimbledon, you MUST wear white.

The first condition for Wimbledon tennis players is to enter the court area wearing “suitable tennis clothing that is almost fully white.” Off white and cream will not suffice.

A trim that isn’t white IS allowed, but it must be on the sleeve cuff, collar, or outside seam of a short, skirt, or trouser leg — and it must be less than a centimetre wide. Logos and colours in patterns are not permitted if their mass exceeds one millimetre.

Then there are the accessories, which must all be white with a one-centimetre trim and include “wristbands, caps, bandanas, headbands, and socks.” Shoes must be completely white, with no coloured soles, and any undergarments visible during play must also be white.

Gymnastics

Talking of underwear, gymnasts must compete in extremely tight leotards, but did you know they are not allowed to display any apparel underneath?

If anything peeks out, such as a bra strap, they lose points from their routine. Isn’t that insane?

Consider this for a moment: you could perform the best routine ever, yet you’d lose points because an article of clothing was accidentally exposed.

Do you see what we mean about weird sports clothing? In the sporting world, there are some fairly strange dress code rules. Fortunately, as amateurs, we are not required to obey any of these restrictions when we participate in sports. If you look around, you’ll find many other strange dress code guidelines that didn’t quite cut this list.

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