Dressing for NFL press box

[Shifty Squid]

I'll be covering my first NFL game on Sunday, stringing for the visiting paper. I've covered plenty of college football games and MLB games, but I've never had a chance to get to pro football. My quick question to those of you who have is about how I should dress so as not to look like an unkempt fool or a trying-too-hard lout. I'd guess khakis and a button-up would probably do, but I thought I'd check here before diving in head first. Do I need a tie? Are khakis and a polo good enough? Should I rent a tux? I just want to make sure that, if I stand out for anything, it's my writing, not my idiotic outfit. Got any tips?

 

[Norman Stansfield]

Khakis and button-up will be more than sufficient.

 

[outofplace]

Do you have any of the visiting team's gear? Jeans with that team's replica game jersey and a baseball cap make a nice ensemble. ;D

Seriously, khakis and a polo are fine. I usually went for a button-up (though I call it a button-down), but that's more a matter of personal style. I look even worse in polos than button-downs.

 

[Shifty Squid]

Ooooo .... replica jersey. That is a good idea, outofplace.

Maybe I could get my name on the back too. And bring a shaker or two. 8)

 

[leo1]

anyone who shows up in an nfl pressbox not wearing a tux doesn't deserve to be there.

 

[joe]

Black tie. With tails. And a top hat. And white gloves. (Think musical extra at the end of "Blazing Saddles.")

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

You should look something like this:

 

[jgmacg]

Is it a Pants or No Pants press box?

Regardless, be sure to wear a chili-resistant shirt to prevent embarassment during the halftime snack.

 

[zagoshe]

Dressing? The only dressing most guys in an NFL press box - - or any press box for that matter -- is Ranch. Or French. Or Italian.

 

[leo1]

Black tie. With tails. And a top hat. And white gloves. (Think musical extra at the end of "Blazing Saddles.")

add a monocle and cane and you're mr. peanut!

 

[toomanycookies]

I usually wear a tie and get endless **** for it, but it looks professional. It certainly isn't necessary.

 

[Claws for Concern]

Dress professionally ... a tie is a nice touch, but not necessary.

 

[Sxysprtswrtr]

Or you could wear one of those leopard-print hats Leslie Visser likes to wear to games.

 

[zagoshe]

Wear the same **** you'd wear to a high school game

 

[jason_whitlock]

a whitlock throwback always makes an impression.

 

[slappy4428]

a whitlock throwup always makes an impression.

This will work... especially the hat, and the ***** posse next to you... ;D

 

[Mizzougrad96]

The rules I try to adhere to in any press box or on press row... (I'm sure I've broken them a few times...)

No shorts.
No sneakers.
No jeans.
No sandals.
No T-shirts.

I know some great writers who dress like **** and that's their prerogative... Martin Fennelly immediately jumps to mind. If memory serves, a few years ago he was wearing a T-shirt, shorts and Birks at the Super Bowl...

If you're at that level, you can probably do what you want. If you want to be taken seriously, wear slacks and a polo shirt...

 

[Pringle]

I'm someone who pulls off dressed-up a lot better than he does casual. So I like to wear a shirt, tie, dress pants and dress shoes, particularly for games (college, not NFL, but I'd do the same if it were the NFL).

Wondering why ties are always fodder for the pack to poke fun at a fellow writer ... we're professionals, right? Why do we rebel against that when it comes to clothing?

I guess I'm a bit of a nerd and/or really cool when it comes to this stuff. I think old photos of guys like Sinatra, Cary Grant, etc. without a thread out of place are awesome (and not in a gay way!).

Anyway ... I'd go with a tie.

 

[joe]

Black tie. With tails. And a top hat. And white gloves. (Think musical extra at the end of "Blazing Saddles.")

add a monocle and cane and you're mr. peanut!

Do you think Mr. Peanut has pieces of peanuts in his turds?

 

[hondo]

Black tie. With tails. And a top hat. And white gloves. (Think musical extra at the end of "Blazing Saddles.")

"Let's get 'em girls!!!"