I'm trying to picture Dan Campbell in a snappy fedora

[RichardBak]

When did head coaches quit wearing suits and fedoras on the sideline?? Yesterday night's throwback-flavored game between GB and Eagles got me thinking about Stram, Landry, Lombardi, et al. I'm guessing that "dressing for success" NFL-style started to slowly die out with the advent of casual Fridays and people shopping at Krogers in their pajamas and flip-flops.

[74_75_78_79_]

Looking at old pics from the late-'60s/very early-'70s of people shopping at esteemed department stores where I grew up (same with many of you as well), they all came out dressed-for-success as well - ESPECIALLY during Christmas Season!

I do remember Nolan and Del Rio trying to revive it in the '00s, but I guess it was like trying to piss into anti-nostalgic wind! And no chance for it to 'catch fire' among other HCs.

I believe Chuck Noll wore a tie at first. Same with Shula even before him. Was it the NFL becoming a bigger brand and trying to get everyone to wear 'team gear'? Yes, as much as I WAS NOT (NOT) a Cowboys-fan, Landry was Majestic. And even Bum Phillips not wearing such attire, he had his very own identity which reflected his exact persona with the Esteemed Stetson!

Don't get me started on the (NFL Films-assisted) Iconic Imagery of that weirdly forgotten Thanksgiving Classic of Nineteen Hundred and Seventy NIne!!

Yes, what IS the exact 'timeline' as to when it all gradually came to a close?


PS - but, let's face it, is Dantallica - or his Predecessor, BILL COWHER - really 'suit-and-tie' material on the sideline in this, may as well say, post-modern era??

[JWL]

Not sure why a football coach would want to wear nice clothes during a game. Bad weather is sometimes an issue. All the time, you will have a lot of movement to do on the sideline. Sometimes a head coach will even step onto the field and create havoc (Pitt's Mike Tomlin). Easier to do that in athletic gear than non-athletic gear. It is easier to wear a suit and tie if coaching an indoor sport like basketball or hockey or if staying in a dugout for 95% of a baseball game.

[JuggernautJ]

Fans used to wear suits, ties and hats in the stands... different times, different mores.

[Brian wolf]

The NFL has pushed fashion for along time now. Not only on the fans but players, coaches and trainers, etc. Alot of sweat shops and cottage industries involved. Its amazing the number of crap they sell but fans have to turn to only a few companies that bother with vintage throwback jerseys or jackets.

Remember in the mid-nineties when QBs would start to put on team ballcaps after coming off the field? ESPN used to mock that practice but ALL QBs and other players have been doing it ever since.

[JuggernautJ]

Per Google:
"The NFL does not release a specific total for merchandise revenue, but the American Football merchandise market is projected to reach $6.67 billion in 2025..."

The NFL makes so much off their "swag" that even they are embarrassed to let us know how much they take us for.
And that is why coaches don't wear suits and ties and do wear team apparel now.

[RichardBak]

Dressed for success: Paul Brown looking correct, even in the mud......

Paul Brown.png (521.12 KiB) Viewed 1440 times

[sheajets]

The NFL has pushed fashion for along time now. Not only on the fans but players, coaches and trainers, etc. Alot of sweat shops and cottage industries involved. Its amazing the number of crap they sell but fans have to turn to only a few companies that bother with vintage throwback jerseys or jackets.

Remember in the mid-nineties when QBs would start to put on team ballcaps after coming off the field? ESPN used to mock that practice but ALL QBs and other players have been doing it ever since.

One "get off my lawn" thing that irritates me is when on social media before the game they'll show posts of players walking into the stadium and highlight how they're dressed

Like...why would I care what another grown man is wearing while walking into the stadium? Or what he's wearing at any time...ever? Maybe geared towards the ladies but you see it at the draft too. Like it's not a fruity fashion show. All I care about is the player on the field

And yea I know..Jets, Namath etc but nowadays it just seems everyone is trying to out clown themselves with ridiculous "swag"

[Brian wolf]

Imagine all the returns on NFL clothes and apparel? Hopefully the NFL gives them to the homeless but I doubt it. Probably gets sold online or overseas for whatever they can get.

[Brian wolf]

I wonder if Paul Brown, Weeb Ewbank, Tom Landry etc got paid to endorse their fashion looks? Did they wear hats to cover up baldness, or did baldness come from the hats?

Many generations of men wore hats. Did the 1960s change all that? Or did men gravitate more to ball caps?