I shall have to look to my wardrobe !!!

[AshbyCut]

As an illustration in "How To Fish" by J H R Bazley (which arrived in this mornings post) shows, I am apparently sartorially challenged when I step onto the bank ... as these fine gentlemen waiting for the start of a match show !!! I shall have to look to my laurels !!! (hurries off to ebay to search trilbies)

[Julian]

Perhaps they were going to scare the fish into submission by their appearance

Seiously though - different time, different idea of suitable attire for fishing

[Vole]

Those were probably their oldest suits, of course, so best be hitting the charity shops, rather than Daks.
If you really must.

[RBTraditional]

Most suitably attired i would say. Much smarter than the track suit, trainers and tee shirt brigade we have to suffer these days.

[Julian]

Most suitably attired i would say. Much smarter than the track suit, trainers and tee shirt brigade we have to suffer these days.

Well maybe - but let's be realistic - if you went fishing dressed almost exactly as they were then, today, you would
look a bit of a .... well... ( choose your own words here)
I don't think its a question of how 'smart' now and I don't think it was in those days either - it was purely and is now what was and is seen as acceptable and just as importantly appropriate.
I would never go fishing in a tracksuit and rarely in trainers, but I'm certainly not dressed 'smart' when I go fishing.
However, as I do quite a lot of stalking carp, I do wear a suitable t-shirt that hopefully blends in with the background so that when its warm and I don't have a sweatshirt I avoid disturbing the fish. I also wear jeans - because they are very practical and durable - that is a fact - almost always with waterproof overtrousers, at least to start with, as I'm often fishing places with tall grass, wet, and overgrown banks. On my feet, most often wellington boots - again for the sheer practicality.
To top it off, a hat with a wide brim - I've several options depending on the circumstances, and, highly important - polaroid singlasses.

[TFB]

I know, look how standards have fallen :


...at least he managed a decent cravat

If you feel comfortable fishing in a tweed suit and stiff collar, good for you - if you prefer the more casual approach, that's fine too.

Personally, just as the old cane rods and vintage reels add to the pleasure of angling, so the older style of dress adds to the occasion.

...I might even speculate that I've obtained permission to fish - wearing a tweed coat and tie etc - in places where a tee shirt and combat trousers might have produced a different result?

[Aitch]

[Gord]

i think you should, as owner and md of precision rods you do have a postition to uphold

[Scott]

Personally I'd love to see dress codes on certain fisheries like they have with other sports, archery, tennis, cricket spring to mind, as has been mentioned, it would only add to the traditional angling experience.

If I owned a fishery I think I'd implement one;

No baseball caps or trainers.
Tie or cravat essential.
No denim.
Breeks, plus 2s, plus 4s etc. preferred.

I could go on...

...Judging by the photos I've seen on here Mr AC would walk straight on to my imaginary fishery...

[MGs]

I have recently started taking a bit more care with my attire. I spent more than 20 years in the Navy and had to wear uniform daily. I think when I left, I rebelled against smart clothes and wearing a tie. Now that some time has passed, I have stopped wearing jeans and T shirts and returned to trousers and proper shirts