Dress code in bars and clubs
02-September-2010
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Dress code in bars and clubs

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In this country our bars and clubs rip us off left right and centre with the cost of drinks or admission fees.  To add insult to injury many of these places are now starting to insist on a dress code before you can even get through the door.

In the town where I live we have two weekend late-night drinking establishments. The one most people prefer to frequent is a modern, bright, fairly expensive wine bar with a resident DJ. On a Saturday night people looking for somewhere to continue enjoying their night out start queuing at 10.30 in order to ensure that they gain entrance.

This establishment however, has a rather strict dress code, jeans and trainers not being considered suitable attire.
Several times I have queued up with friends only to have the slightly stroppy bouncer deny entry to some of them for the sin of wearing, shock horror, JEANS and TRAINERS!

dress code in clubs

'Denim is denim - whatever the colour'

And there is no reprieve for white jeans, chinos or whatever you like to call them (denim is denim whatever the colour or label) or any trainers that resemble “normal shoes” but are in fact not as they are made of fabric not shiny leather or leather effect plastic.

So what makes this form of dress offensive? I take it that it isn’t because the wearer is deemed to poor to drink in the establishment as he can only afford jeans and trainers to wear because everyone knows that a decent pair of jeans and trainers costs quite a lot of money. Maybe the management assume that the wearing of these items turns the normally mild mannered person into a beer swilling trouble maker who has nothing better to do than start a fight and wreck the establishment. Most of my friends spend all week working in offices dressed in “proper” trousers and shoes and prefer to spend their weekends in less formal clothes, maybe it is time that bars and nightclubs stopped being so snobby about dress.


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I've heard that some people loosen their top button sometimes. Sounds a little wild to me. I'm not sure my heart would stand it.
*1932  02-Sep-2010 13:08

 
Happy with that, Stephen, or would you prefer to be loosened up at work?
*How loose  02-Sep-2010 12:42

 
I always wear a suit and tie to work and always keep my top-button done up, at all times - even after work!
*Stephen  02-Sep-2010 11:27

 
Top Button Slaveboy, What happens to the top Button after work or during the Lunch Hour?
*Stuarts8  27-Aug-2010 11:36

 
My boss makes sure I am dressed by his strict rules each and everyday. I must wear a fitted 3 piece suit and a heavily starched white shirt everyday, with french cuffs. If my top button is not fastened, whether or not I am wearing a tie, he makes sure that I have it done up. If not, he will humiliate me and punish me after. My tie must be nice and tight, and the knot absolutely perfect - as he will inspect me often. Even in the pouring rain must I adhere to this code, as the weather does not matter. I also wear bow ties on demand, and wait on his clients in my attire. You boys should feel good the way you dress, just as I do... stop complaining and do as your told!
*Top Button Slaveboy  24-Aug-2010 15:19

 
You only ever get frog marched out if you are a piece of sh1t, which you obviously must be Collar Felt. It's cheaper outside...you should be comfortable there.
*MJ  20-Aug-2010 15:50

 
Hi Declan, I have the same problem. I never fasten my top button at work and usually have my tie yanked down to my 2nd button, no probs (tho did get collarings at a previous job that had a ridiculous 'top button must be done up at all times' policy), but get victimised in clubs - usually straighten my tie to get in and yank it loose straight after but often get the piss taken out of me by non tie wearers or 'done up' twats pulling my tie and loose collar to then get roughly frog marched out by the back of the collar by bouncers calling me a scruff. You get this?
*Collar Felt  20-Aug-2010 12:56

 
anon,

I think the subject you are referring to was covered in the Button Hole Gazette about two months ago.

It caused quite a storm and I believe that a new protocol is being added to the European Convention of Human Rights; the right to go unbuttoned has been sadly ignored - the stress and suffering caused by the top button is incalculable.
*another anon  19-Aug-2010 20:01

 
normally the doormen I see at the clubs and bars I go to are just checking that you are not wearing trainers or tracksuits, never seen one not let someone in because they have their top button undone and tie loose. Half of the bouncers have loose ties themselves or no ties at all.
*Declan  19-Aug-2010 18:52

 
Hi Declan, don't know what "anon" is rabbiting about - let's take it as an interruption.
The club I referred to certianly isn't posh and I don't consider it "wrong" either. Just that the doormen are a bit picky.
As for work, there's no requirement or dress-code, it's just that all the other guys (6 of us) wear our ties with the top button fastened. Most of us loosen-up after work, though. Don't often wear a tie on nights out, but when I do (and if it's a casual evening) I would always wear it loose.
*Iceman  19-Aug-2010 18:34

 
I fasten my top button up sometimes. On other occasions I don't fasten it. Sometimes the fastened top button feels more comfortable, depending on my mood. On the other hand, sometimes I just don't fasten it or somehow it comes undone. I have experimented with other buttons. Sometimes I don't fasten the second one down. I don't really feel this button offers the same complexities as the top button which, as this thread bears out, is a much more fascinating button to discuss.

On aspect of the debate which I feel has been sadly overlooked is that of the button hole. Some button holes are more flexible and permit the buttoning of the top button more readily than others. This of course can encourage or discourage the buttoning of the top button depending on the degree to which the button hole allows the button to pass through untrammeled by friction and tension of the fabric.

All in all this really is a subject which requires long and detailed debate. I propose that the original author expand the gripe into a journal length paper and submit it to wider academic comment in one of more recognised publications, such as Top Button Dilemma. On the other hand, perhaps the original author could issue a call for papers and arrange a conference somewhere appropriately prestigious.
*anon  19-Aug-2010 12:52

 
I never fasten my top button on my shirt I do not see th epoint it is uncomfortable. I have never been turned way from a club or bar because I have my tie loosened, you must be going to the wrong or really posh places. How come you usually have it fastened in work, is it a requirement?
*Declan  19-Aug-2010 10:55


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