35 replies to this topic

[juliepoudrier]

Well, if nothing else, the OP now knows that there's no huge consensus on what to wear to the post! I've seen plenty of men in the finals wearing a jacket, nice shirt, tie, jeans and a ball cap. So top and bottom are somewhat casual, and in between is fancy? If one doesn't wear tennis shoes, what should one put on their feet? Cowboy boots? I tend to wear my waterproof muck shoes/boots. Practical and my feet stay dry....

I honestly don't see how wearing jeans and a t-shirt is a "slap in the face" to the host. I would think the host would be much more concerned with trial attendees' behavior/comportment than the actuality of the clothes on their backs--again as long as they are clean and neat and not in anything outrageous.

Around here you see plenty of t-shirts, shorts when it's really hot (not talking Daisy Dukes here or anything, but neat, appropriate shorts), and ball caps. I doubt all the folks wearing them are disrespecting their trial hosts, some of whom are in the exact same attire.

J.

[WildFlower]

One trial I am thinking of going to is a halloween costume thingie.. What should I go as......????

Little Bo Peep?

That's what I am going to costume party as this year.

[Smalahundur]

For a double-lift final, that's just respectful - it's not a rule and it's not necessary but the top handlers usually look as good as they run when they are running in the top trials, at least in the Bluegrass and Finals.

You wouldn't even work sheep in chinos, a sport coat, or a good tweed driving cap, would you? But they all look nice on a finals field. And when you show horses, or other stock, you dress nicely, to fit the occasion.

The important thing is to look neat and tidy, and respectful of where you are.

Well I must admit i am further away from a "double lift final" than most people on this forum .
I was present at the icelandic nationals a couple of weeks ago, our highest level trial event, and "normal" daily clothes seemed to be the rule.
Why dress up, nothing disrespectful about normal working clothes I say.
As a non native speaker I don´´t even know what "chino´s" are...
Of course one would dress in accordance with the habits/traditions of the local trial culture. I am thankful that it´s pretty relaxed around here.

[MagRam]

Little Bo Peep?

That's what I am going to costume party as this year.

I thought Little Bo Peep but then remembered she lost her sheep so I think it might be a bad omen.

[DeltaBluez Tess]

There was one trial where a handler wore super short length, skin tight jeans shorts and a low cut top and sandals. I was not at this trial and expressed disbelief at this so the person who told me whipped out their cell ph and showed me the pixs. According to my source, all of the guy's eyes were on her and it was not on her handling style.

Someone did mention something to her about her sandals and next day, similiar outfit.

Clean or classy is fine. Trashy is not.

wear something that is respectable and fit for the occasion.

[Liz P]

Plenty of handlers wear (clean) jeans, a t-shirt and baseball cap at local trials. I don't feel that is disrespectful because we are simulating farm work. I like to pick out a shirt that supports Border Collie Rescue, local sheepdog groups and other causes, so that is one reason I sometimes am in more casual clothing. I would dress up for a finals round, if it wasn't freezing or pouring rain.

[jdarling]

... at a Luau style (?) trial.

[Gloria Atwater]

Did anybody said 'pressed'? Yeah, pressed between the dog chow and the maps

Maja

Mine get pressed when I zip my overnight bag shut. :-p

~ Gloria

[Gloria Atwater]

Oh, good lord! Is that Derek! Toooo funny!

~ Gloria

[Gloria Atwater]

Plenty of handlers wear (clean) jeans, a t-shirt and baseball cap at local trials. I don't feel that is disrespectful because we are simulating farm work. I like to pick out a shirt that supports Border Collie Rescue, local sheepdog groups and other causes, so that is one reason I sometimes am in more casual clothing. I would dress up for a finals round, if it wasn't freezing or pouring rain.

I think it depends on the trial and the venue, really. For smaller events, especially, I've seen plenty of people show up in jeans and a nice T-shirt and they look just fine. Plus I'll darned sure wear a ball cap if it's too windy for my straw hat. Like you, mine will have something to do with Border Collies.

I think there's just a difference between looking neatly casual, and looking like you just crawled out of sleeping in the hay loft. I've seen a very few people, over the years, show up looking pretty frumpy and give-a-hoot, and that was just ... tacky, IMHO.

~ Gloria

[Sue R]

Oh, good lord! Is that Derek! Toooo funny!

~ Gloria

Derek has been know to wear "boy cut" Speedos at the luau trial and, of course, his signature ukelele. Not everyone was amused but if the theme is "luau"...

[Gloria Atwater]

He should hand out sunglasses for all that WHITE!

[Liz P]

Sometimes I am crawling out of a sleeping bag and getting putting on cloths that are wrinkle resistant, mostly resistant anyway. Those of you with campers sometimes forget how lucky you are. Some day I will have one as well, though I don't foresee myself stepping up to the post in an evening gown.

[Gloria Atwater]

With heels, Liz.

Yeah, I'm a tent camper, too. I dream of one day having one of those little Scamp or Casita trailers. Because I know I'll never afford a rig to pull the grownup RVs!

~ Gloria

[NorthfieldNick]

Thanks, Jodi! That's exactly the trial... That ukelele is dangerous. It banged on the gate and cost Mr Fisher the pen if I remember correctly...

[Laura L]

For our trial's double lift finals the handlers always dress nicely. Some of the men wear ties-this year Jim Martin wore one with sheep on it.

As a trial host, I've never considered people wearing jeans & t-shirts a slap in the face. You'd be hard pressed to find me in anything but that.
Laura