The saying goes that if you look good you play good. Many basketball players live by this by dressing in the finest gear and wearing the newest basketball shoe on the market that makes them play like their favorite player who endorses the shoe they are wearing. But what about coaches, is their mentality the same way before a big game?
This Is Why Basketball Coaches Wear Suits? Coach’s have a dress code to abide by, usually requiring them to wear a sports coat and a collared shirt. Basketball Coach’s have always worn suits dating back to the early 1900’s, from high school to the professional level this was a tradition even until now.
It was not uncommon when most occupations had strict formal attire to follow. People categorized men who wore suits as people in charge. But if you ever put on a suit for a wedding or formal event, tell me your confidence level doesn’t go up? I bet it does, there are reasons for this.
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Why Basketball Coaches Wear Suits?
If we look back to the early 1900’s we see many people dressed in suits for business, school, and even for a casual outing for a cup of coffee. This was the norm, I’m sure you can find pictures of your great grandparents wearing a suit or at least a collared shirt in a black and white photo.
Suits have been around for hundreds of years, although there are many types of suits they are usually considered as formal wear today. During the 1920s, the suit became the most common clothing worn by men, an example today would be comparable to a pair of jeans.
As fashion trends expanded and television and movies appeared on the scene, many people wanted to dress like their favorite actor. Just like today, we see the newest fashion trends and everyone is jumping on board. Anything from skinny jeans to ripped jeans and next might be one pant leg only. All kidding aside.
Although people take to fashion trends even in the early 1900’s it still believed that most people still wore suits to work because it was society’s norm. From school teacher’s to a manager at a bank, and even the paperboy would all abide by a dress code.
Basketball Coach’s still held on to this tradition wearing suits during games. Suits have become timeless and will never go out of style. Some coaches will wear their lucky shoes for a big game or a tie gifted from someone special that gave it to them. As soon as they put on that suit it’s game time.
Although coach’s at the High school level do not always dress in suits but do dress in the apparel of the school team’s logo and colors. At the College and NBA, they are required to wear a sports coat at the least. This is their job, they want to be respected and taken seriously, they dress accordingly.
If you’re going for a job interview dress in a suit, going to church dress in a suit. Going to dinner dress in a suit. No one will ever frown upon it but I bet you will get the respect that you may not otherwise think.
Many people don’t realize the Basketball Head Coaches Association of the NBA is actually sponsored by Joseph Abboud Tailors. This clothing company has been helping coach’s in the league for several years now by helping to pick their style.
NBA coach’s meet every year with the designer picking materials and styles while helping them keep up to date with the latest fashion trends. They select up to 10 suits and designs that accompany their style that each coach is looking for.
The POWER In a Suit
It was well perceived early in the 20th century that wearing a suit meant you had power or you were in charge. There are many benefits to wearing a suit.
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- Makes you feel powerful
- Preferential Treatment
- Confidence Boost
- Gain Respect
- Think differently
There are actual studies done on the power of wearing a suit, maybe these coach’s new something long ago to get the upper hand against coach’s that didn’t wear a suit. It reminds me of a study also done on the color red and playing sports. The color red was feared by the opposition.
Back to the study on suits and formal wear. The study suggested that people who wore formal attire would change the way they think. When you put on a suit you would feel more powerful, you are changing your thinking just by putting on a suit people thought more openly and holistically.
How well do you feel when you get a fresh haircut or a brand new pair of shoes to show off at school or work. I know I get a confidence boost, and I know when I go to an event like a wedding, I like dressing up in a suit as I know I’m going to feel good and confident when I’m ready to go
The old saying goes if you look good you play good, you want to be the best you. A nice looking suit helping you look good will put you on your A-Game.
Do All Coach’s In Professional Sports Wear Suits?
In all major professional sports across North America, all coaches in the 4 professional leagues at some time or another wore suits for there games.
NFL – In the 1970’s all coach’s wore suits, things have changed, coaches now have to wear team apparel made by their sponsors of the NFL. In the year 2000, the NFL signed a contract with Reebok to make the uniforms in which in their contract it stated coaches could only wear what was actually sold in the fan store. Many Coach’s were angry about this as they knew if they went against the contract it would result in a fine. This today is one of the biggest reasons why you do not see the coach’s on the field wearing suits anymore. Reebok’s contract ended in 2010 and coaches are still not wearing suits.
Nike has since signed a contract with the NFL after Reebok and will continue until the year 2028. Now since signing with NIKE not much has changed and coach’s still following suit just not the suit that we are talking about.
NHL – Like the NBA still wear suits to this day since the league started in 1917. It would be easy to wear a suit as it would keep you warm as the bench area would keep you cool due to the atmosphere near the ice, perfect for wearing a suit.
MLB – At one time the Major League Managers wore suits. It wasn’t until the MLB placed a rule in order to come out onto the field you must wear your team’s uniform. This is why the Manager wears a full uniform just like the players do.
NBA – The NBA continues this tradition much like Hockey. The NBA rule book in regards to dress code states that coaches must wear a sports coat with a collared shirt. Coach’s have always worn suits and it doesn’t seem like that will change anytime soon.
Is there a dress code for Basketball Players in the NBA?
In 2005 the NBA commissioner David Stern introduced a mandatory dress code for basketball players in the NBA. Becoming the first major league in any sport to implement this rule.
The dress code stated that players must dress in business or conservative attire upon arriving at the game and also leaving the facility.
Furthermore, a player who is not playing in the game because he’s on injured reserve or for any other reason must dress alike to the coach. A suit jacket or sports coat and tie are required.
These dress code came into effect because the NBA at the time was receiving a very bad reputation, and David Stern felt like he needed to clean it up.
Specifically, the NBA and hip hop were viewed by fans as going hand and hand. Hip hop music at the time was violent and didn’t represent the NBA according to Stern. It was a culture that the players grew up with, playing basketball and listening to rap music while dressing in baggy clothing and accessories that were all apart of the hip hop scene.
Do Basketball Coach’s Have To Wear Ties?
Basketball Coach’s don’t have to wear ties but they do need to wear a sports jacket or suit jacket. What’s the difference you ask? A sports coat is a loose fit jacket that you can wear with a pair of jeans. Usually heavier material is used and is more of a casual style piece of clothing. A suit jacket usually is accompanied by a matching pair of pants and not recommend wearing it solo. The materials used are usually lighter and have a sheen to it compared to the Sportcoat. That concludes the article at this time, if you enjoyed it please check out my other content below.