THERE has always been a certain cachet, for men of a certain age, in
using the sports gear of a previous era . . . to turn up for an
invitation cricket match in yellowing whites and boots with torn
toecaps, or as a weekend guest to bring a pair of wooden, slightly
warped tennis rackets. The suggestion is of an athletic past, even if
the present proves to be of short-sighted incompetence. The situation is
well understood by Marks and Spencer, whose wide range of pre-faded
rugby shirts is popular with English golfers. The suggestion, as
students of gamesmanship will be aware, is that golf is a new, and
perhaps only a passing, interest.
The latest trend in male tennis attire is proving very helpful to the
older generation. The baggy, knee-length shorts of Andre Agassi and Pete
Sampras were once normal wear, and elderly men who wear them at family
barbecues are now the envy of their grandchildren. Wimbledon was
introduced to them in 1933 by Bunny Austin, when he became the first
player to abandon long trousers, made famous by the elegant Fred Perry.
Last week's decision no longer to market Perry's sports gear is a sign
that even the biggest stars now have a shelf life. The latest in casual
wear is the football jersey, with grown men said to be willing to pay
#50 a shirt. With more than a dozen countries still nursing hopes of the
World Cup, the problem is in choosing the right team.
Then, fortunately, it will soon be out of date. As modern fathers know
to their cost, Rangers and Celtic, like their English counterparts, find
it profitable to change their strip almost every year. Even the national
strip must be redesigned. Scotland's present gear may be tasteful, even
dainty, but it will soon be altered. For gamesmanship, of course, the
outdated football shirt is then useful for another sport. The most
popular shirt on Scottish golf courses this year is still the dark blue
one marking the victories of Grand Slam '90.
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