Looking around the room, there is a range of choice of clothing in which to compete for approximately £3000. I would consider this quite a fair amount of money, of which, if I was playing to win, I would seriously consider what I’m wearing and how it will affect my state of play.

For example, I am currently watching two fairly young players, whom will remain nameless, one of whom is dressed plainly in blue jeans, black polo shirt and comfortable white trainers. The other has obviously taken more interest in his attire for the day, wearing black bagged jeans, purple polo shirt, styled hair, earring and studded belt – going for a more “rock” look. However, I’m not sure that this is the better-dressed player in terms of pool. His jeans are halfway down his hips, displaying his black boxer shorts, of which is making him conscious every time he bends down. It is almost a habit before each shot that he pulls his jeans up, and pulls his shirt down. Now, is this distracting and uncomfortable, or part of the player’s routine?

I understand that fashion is an important part of people’s lives and can give a person confidence and a place in society. In the sixties, there were the Mods and Rockers with platform shoes, mohicans, spikes; in the eighties there were the New Romantics and Punks; in the nineties, the trends tended to be along the lines of Townies (ooohh, the shell suit!!! – so wrong…) or Gothics – if we notice all music related – a great trend setter.

I beg to ask the question though, is fashion as important when aiming to earn over £3000 from one weekend of work, or is your own identity and highlighting yourself as a follower of a particular fashion trend an acceptable distraction?

In this current case, the players are even in the match and the hitching up of trousers, showing off one’s underwear and obvious discomfort does not seem to be having an affect on the playability. However, the player who is not following any particular fashion, and is wearing what seems more sensible clothing for the occasion is able to focus purely upon the game in hand.

In some tournaments, unlike this one, a dress code is required; players are asked wear specific clothing, normally a smart pair of trousers and a collared shirt. One, this makes the players look more business-like and are attending the tournament for good reasons, and two, surely this style of dress allows the player to focus upon the game rather than hitching up loose, baggy clothing.

There is a theory that says smartly dressed people have neater handwriting – this is part of the theory behind children wearing a smart uniform to school – if they feel smart, they behave smart and can concentrate on what matters. Can this theory be related to a pool player?

Pool players also have to think about their clothing when bending over the table. Any ball that is moved that is not the cue or object ball, they commit a foul. Many pool players can be seen tucking in baggy, hanging t-shirts and polo shirts as they bend over the table to avoid their clothing touching or moving other balls. Sure this is yet another distraction as the player is trying to concentrate on playing their shot.

The worst element about suitable clothing as a viewer of pool is when the player bends down and all you can see is their lower back, two mounds and the valley below – if you get my drift. There is nothing more off-putting than seeing a hairy, dark crevasse whilst watching your opponent knock the opposite coloured balls into the pockets. Perhaps this is a deliberate distraction, designed to put your opponent off.

As a regular viewer of pool, across the country and across tournaments, I feel that I have more respect for those players who take care of how they are dressed as a player of pool, rather that those who dress according to fashion – it looks more professional for a player to be wearing smart trousers, smart collared shirt, shiny black shoes, etc… However, I do believe that the snooker tradition of bow tie and waistcoat is no longer necessary – not because of fashion, but because I see women snooker players wearing the exact same thing, and it looks so uncomfortable and inappropriate.

But then, here’s another question for future discussion – tradition, trend or comfort?

(c) Angela Williams 22-11-2009

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