Tradition and why dress matters
Nick Ridley addresses sartorial code in the field and the traditional ties that bind the shooting community
Internet forums can be a cesspit of vitriol, with keyboard warriors hiding behind their anonymity. However, every now and again someone will put up a question that deserves some proper scrutiny. Recently, I was looking at one of the shooting forums on Facebook and a contributor asked: “What has happened to our clothing etiquette in the shooting field?” That got me thinking about what is the correct dress to wear when we are out beating, shooting and picking-up.
If you look at any old photographs of Guns, the chances are they would be wearing tweeds – hard wearing, warm but heavy and uncomfortable when wet. Back then, wool was a vitally important commodity in the clothing industry, unlike today where a fleece is worth less than the cost to shear the sheep. Colours would have been ‘earth tones’ and you would have never seen a brightly coloured pair of shooting socks. That said, a few years ago I did see an archive photograph of a team of beaters all wearing light-coloured smocks. My guess is that it was so the Guns could see them coming through the woods and therefore avoid any low-shooting accidents. Which brings me on to the modern-day beater: why is it frowned upon in the UK if anyone wears a bright orange hat or armband? On the Continent, it is necessary. Surely it would help those of us who are in the beating line, especially when in woodland, to keep track of our fellow beaters?
Knotty issue
The wearing of ties was another subject that came up on the forum. Personally, I always wear a tie when I am shooting; it is something that I have been brought up with and I believe to be the correct etiquette. Even when I am rough shooting or doing a rare driven day, you will find a tie around my neck. I will also wear a tie when I am picking-up, no matter whether the shoot is a small DIY affair or a larger commercial driven shoot. Perhaps I am a man out of time because nowadays I see fewer Guns wearing a tie when standing at a peg. Judging by the internet discussion, it is generally thought that dressing smartly shows respect to your
“There is simply no place for denim in the shooting field”
quarry, which, in truth, is a bit ironic as most Guns never see the bag as it is quite often whipped away to the chiller.
Being a tad old-fashioned, the one thing I cannot abide is the wearing of jeans. There is simply no place for denim in the shooting field, even if you are beating. Jeans are OK for hanging out at your local, but not for pushing through soaking-wet maize or standing out in a muddy field in November.
Another subject that stirred opinion was the wearing of baseball caps. I have to admit that I do have a rather large collection of hats and caps. Up until a few years ago, I would only wear a traditional flat cap when out in the field; I even had my ‘ferreting cap’ my ‘shooting cap’ and my ‘beating cap’. Nowadays, I nearly always have a baseballtype cap on my head. In fact, the only time you won’t find me wearing one is when I am indoors. I find a baseball cap more practical, plus they suit me a bit better. I have one for most weather conditions.
Investment
Although not strictly clothing, gamebags versus game-vests when picking-up also came up in conversation. This caused quite a division of views. I have used both over the years, and I am firmly in the game vest camp. I find them more comfortable and practical, although when picking-up I do not put birds in them as I prefer to use a game-carrier to ensure the birds stay cool. However, I find that the pockets of a vest are most useful. Also, as I tend to sling my bird carrier over my shoulder, it helps to keep the blood and muck off my coat. Game bags tend to put a lot of weight on one shoulder. When I used them regularly, I was forever catching the straps on branches and the dogs as I leant down to take a bird off them.
I believe that tradition is something that we should all endeavour to try to maintain – at least to some degree – but with modern materials and evolving fashions, we should be willing to embrace some changes. Perhaps someone will design a tweed denim – but hopefully not in my lifetime.