NBA Dress Code: Has the image improved?

The NBA needed a make over, and David Stern knew exactly what to do. Enforce a dress code. Many players balked at the idea of wearing a jacket and shirt on game days. What did their dress have to do with how they played on the basketball court? Stearn had to do something about the thugged out image that the NBA had acquired. In the 90′s, the NBA had invited the hip hop culture to market to urban youth and it represented a large percentage of the players who grew up with the hip hop culture. The NBA had benefited financially from hip hop with the catchy slogans, commercials and the increased presence of big name hip hop artists sitting court side at games. After one too many off and on the court incidents and probably some pressure from deep pocket sponsors, the NBA needed a scapegoat to place blame. Of course it was the Hip Hop culture that was blamed for the social and violent behaviors of some of the NBA players who continued to put an black eye on the image of the NBA.

This is the fourth season of the NBA dress code and I asked a few friends if they think it has helped the image. One fan from Toledo, Ohio borrowed the infamous Obama quote “If you put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig.” Another fan from Atlanta doesn’t think the dress code has helped at all. He added “If you are a thug, then you are a thug in a suit. I understand what the NBA was trying to do, but that stuff has to be instilled in a kid from day one. You can’t buy a MAC and make it work like a PC. Putting them in a suit at the age of 21 isn’t going to undue all those years of crazy stuff.” Reese from New Jersey responded “They still act like fools. The night clubs tried that and found it to be only a temporary solution. It’s all mental. You can dress up on Sunday 6 days out of the week.”

Not everyone feels that the dress code hasn’t worked. Jamaal Lane, co-owner of Champions Barbershop in Portland, OR replied “it definitely made a positive affect. It brought more of a professional look to the league because it gives them more professional look to the league. It gives the kids a better standard on how a professional athlete should dress.” Orin Douglas, president of Saxton Apparel, a men’s custom clothing company out of Orange County, CA thinks the dress code has made a positive affect because it gives the players a polished professional look on game days. When asked what are some of the mistakes that players make when dressing up on game days, he says some players try to do too much. Some players don’t have a clear understanding of their personal style. He states that every player needs to have a collection of suits, blazers and sports coats, versatile shoes, casual and French cut shirt and slacks to complete a professional wardrope. He adds that as a group, the NBA has become a trendsetter in style.

Whether you feel like the dress code is working or not. It’s here to stay. The players have adapted to it but then again they had no choice if they wanted to play in the NBA. College players take note! If you aren’t used to wearing suits, better get used to it. There’s nothing like seeing an athlete who looks good in their uniform and a suit!

If you have any fashion tips or looking for a tailor, contact Orin Douglas at ODouglas@saxtonapparel.com

Tagged as: Dress Code, NBA, Saxton Apparel