Yacht club dress codes

That's nothing! Try working for a Swiss bank.

https://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/45325094?access_key=key-296jtldidj6kp3hdiyn0

Dress code = 44 pages...

You're even told which knickers to wear...!!
For ten years I attended my Swiss multinational company's CeBIT stand in Hannover and the dress code was rigorous. However, the wardrobe we were measured and fitted for was equally so, with Savile Row standard of fit and quality. Two dark blue suits, single and double breasted, blazer and grey flannel trousers, white shirts, corporate colours tie, black socks and black, laced shoes (no knickers provided). The cost for the many dozens of us stand personnel (there were three stands in the various halls covering the different technologies) must have been considerable. Once equipped there were no instructions as what to wear providing it was what had been supplied. Twelve years since my retirement the impeccable suits and blazer still hang in my closet but I'm not sure if I could still fit in them.

But otherwise I found the Swiss much less formal in dress than many other of our European offices, especially London and Frankfurt, where in the latter, three-piece suits were de rigueure on a daily basis.
 
Saturday was a working party day at our club. We didn't wear blazers to rebuild access roads, slap paint, check electric wiring, and generally overhaul the facilities. But Saturday night was a prizegiving supper, and although not involved, I suspect black tie was worn. Other events have notified dress codes, and having made the effort myself, I would expect attendees to do the same. I don't see a problem with this.
 
Saturday was a working party day at our club. We didn't wear blazers to rebuild access roads, slap paint, check electric wiring, and generally overhaul the facilities. But Saturday night was a prizegiving supper, and although not involved, I suspect black tie was worn. Other events have notified dress codes, and having made the effort myself, I would expect attendees to do the same. I don't see a problem with this.

I think there is a clear distinction between a special event at the club at which a dress code is fine. (You don't want to be the one turning up in a DJ when it's Hawaiian shirt theme) and a more general rule saying you can't enter the premises unless dressed appropriately. Practical rules - e,g, no wet weather gear in the bar or boots in carpeted areas are absolutely fine but if I choose to wear jeans and a rugby top rather than white flannels and a blazer to have a pint what difference does it make.

Fortunately I think the number of clubs like that are very limited now as the older members die off and the younger ones impose dress codes more in keeping with today.
 
So is there in fact a "dress code police" in practice? This stuff is written down in the rules, but if you turn up in normal socially-acceptable clothing that contravenes it, does anyone object? Is it like the "shooting a welshman after midnight" variety of unenforced law, or will someone really insist that you leave for wearing trousers made of the incorrect fabric?

Pete

Yep. I have been asked to leave clubs, or areas of clubs for wearing the wrong fabric. Bizarrely, I have been asked to leave for wearing jeans in one, that would have been acceptable in the other! I am a repeat offended and now managed it on 4 different continents! :)
 
Yep. I have been asked to leave clubs, or areas of clubs for wearing the wrong fabric. Bizarrely, I have been asked to leave for wearing jeans in one, that would have been acceptable in the other! I am a repeat offended and now managed it on 4 different continents! :)

Well done :encouragement:

I avoid places/occasions that have a dress code as a matter of principle.
1. I am 50 years old - I know what is appropriate dress for which occasion.
2. Who are you inviting: me, or my wardrobe?
 
I really don't see the problem with a dress code for black tie events - the clue is in the name :)

If clubs want dress codes for various socials then that surely is part of the fun / atmosphere and I would have no issue with that (whether or not I chose to go is a different matter).

Dress codes for the clubhouse/bar /restaurant is a different matter. I wouldn't join a place that wouldn't sell me a pint in may sailing kit.

I turned up as a visitor at a not that posh club once in November at about 2200 after a long sail in wind and rain in slightly muddy wellys and oilies (it was their slipway that was muddy) and found it was their annual formal do. I did get a pint, but they found me a very out of the way corner....
 
I must admit I don't get the angst over dress codes

If a private members club wants to have a dress code, I don't have an issue with that at all. If I don't want to comply with their rules, I can take myself and my money elsewhere
 
It isn't restricted to sailing clubs. In 1963( if I remember correctly) I was a measurer at the OK World Championships at HISC.
and for one evening the competitors and officials were to attend a local night club (of sorts!). Upon arrival the bouncers informed us that there was no admittance without a tie. Only 2 had them on. An inspired official told us to queue around the corner. He and another commandeered the 2 ties and went in. A moment later the "heads" window opened and 2 ties were handed out and over the next 20 minutes all were allowed in with the obligatory tie. The international contingent thought the UK was a madhouse.
 
I turned up as a visitor at a not that posh club once in November at about 2200 after a long sail in wind and rain in slightly muddy wellys and oilies (it was their slipway that was muddy) and found it was their annual formal do. I did get a pint, but they found me a very out of the way corner....

Which sounds like a pretty good compromise and reasonable way of being hospitable in the circumstances.

Yep. I have been asked to leave clubs, or areas of clubs for wearing the wrong fabric. Bizarrely, I have been asked to leave for wearing jeans in one, that would have been acceptable in the other! I am a repeat offended and now managed it on 4 different continents! :)

Sounds like you are a bit of a self obsessed prat tbh, why join or repeatedly go to a private club in clothes that you know that they would rather you didn't?

I must admit I don't get the angst over dress codes

If a private members club wants to have a dress code, I don't have an issue with that at all. If I don't want to comply with their rules, I can take myself and my money elsewhere

:encouragement:
 
Saturday was a working party day at our club. We didn't wear blazers to rebuild access roads, slap paint, check electric wiring, and generally overhaul the facilities. But Saturday night was a prizegiving supper, and although not involved, I suspect black tie was worn. Other events have notified dress codes, and having made the effort myself, I would expect attendees to do the same. I don't see a problem with this.

I suspect we were at the same work party! The CCCS prizegiving is smart casual so not black tie, i was the scruffy sod sitting in the club bar!
 
Indeed we were Keith, and I think that the way BYC has notified dress codes for the various events it holds is entirely sensible. You make a good point in that we have a bar for the scruffy sods (like us) separate to the events area. I must say tho', that I have a soft spot for the RCN Las Palmas, where the door is opened by a uniformed flunkey (valet parking available) and we were assessed/greeted by the chief steward before proceeding to a very cheap but excellent lunch. Wouldn't have felt comfortable turning up scruffy there. So no problem with clubs that expect everyone to scrub up either.
 
How would he know that in advance? He's not going to the same club over and over again!

Pete

One of them was a club where I was/am a member. I used to go to the bar late and read the paper with a whisky in black jeans and a fishermans jumper. The staff didn't mind but occaisionally some other member would come in and complain. Two others I was unaware of the code, and the last I was just pushing my luck!
 
Which sounds like a pretty good compromise and reasonable way of being hospitable in the circumstances.



Sounds like you are a bit of a self obsessed prat tbh, why join or repeatedly go to a private club in clothes that you know that they would rather you didn't?



:encouragement:
Sound to me , that you just like going around finding fault in people opinion which you disagree with and insult them by names calling .
Now I just wonder what that make you ? .
 
Last edited:
Sounds like you are a bit of a self obsessed prat tbh, why join or repeatedly go to a private club in clothes that you know that they would rather you didn't?



:encouragement:

If manners like that are the norm, I hope I never end up visiting your club. Jeez.

On another note, they are not strictly private members clubs when they have signs and announcements welcoming visitors and affiliated club members. Therefore, how they treat those folk makes them open for discussion surely.
 
Top