# Pub attire. What does it mean to you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 25, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643 "2012-01-25T21:22:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/21 "2012-01-26T07:09:28Z")
Well, as an American, I’d take “Pub” to equal “Bar,” so would wear casual attire. Jeans and a T-shirt, or whatever was comfy. Joe ---
**Author:** ![Hallucinex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba9def/32.png) [@Hallucinex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hallucinex)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/22 "2012-01-26T09:45:46Z")
No shirt, no shoes, no service. ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/23 "2012-01-26T11:46:27Z")
> [@Hallucinex](#): > > No shirt, no shoes, no service. “And that applies to the blokes too”. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/24 "2012-01-26T14:32:22Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > Casual attire, perhaps with a jacket. Tie not required. With only the information given in the OP, this is probably the best answer so far. Who is the host? Your boss? Your brother? Your drinking buddy? Your yacht club buddy? Do you have even the slightest idea what he would wear to a pub? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/25 "2012-01-26T15:54:20Z")
I’d take to mean “not formal wear or business wear.” So no jackets/blazers, no ties, no polished shoes, no ball gowns, no little black dresses, no string of pearls. Alternatively, I’d take it to mean “come as you are, so long as you don’t look like you’re going to meet the president or a business client.” ---
**Author:** ![DeweyDecibel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DeweyDecibel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeweyDecibel)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/26 "2012-01-26T15:59:29Z")
I’ve never heard the phrase either, but I’d wear what I’d wear for a casual night out at a…pub. Casual restaurant. Laid back bar. For me that would be nice jeans, boots or flat shoes, and a nice but casual shirt. So a tiny half step above what I’d wear to a sporting event, which would be jeans, sneakers or super casual shoes, and a t-shirt. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/27 "2012-01-26T16:11:15Z")
Vomit encrusted? ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/28 "2012-01-26T16:27:44Z")
This reminds me of my annual ire at a fund-raiser that I tangentially have something to do with. They specify that the attire is “summer chic.” As if you can determine someone’s fashion sense. Plus it’s meaningless. What, you expect people to show up in mink stoles and parkas in June? Also, it’s a dinner/dance/auction. Nobody’s so stupid to think that cargo shorts and flip-flops are appropriate. Why put anything? It’s as stupid as saying, “dress nice, y’all!” Le grr. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/29 "2012-01-26T16:33:19Z")
I’d probably go with something like [this](http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/images/050429_pearly.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/30 "2012-01-26T16:45:32Z")
> [@Hallucinex](#): > > No shirt, no shoes, no service. > [@Wallenstein](#): > > “And that applies to the blokes too”. Actually, last week I was in St Martin. The Sunset Beach Bar has a policy stating that topless women drink free. Just sayin. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/31 "2012-01-26T16:46:18Z")
No pants. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/32 "2012-01-26T17:06:57Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > I’d probably go with something like [this](http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/images/050429_pearly.jpg). I would totally go to a pub with that guy. ---
**Author:** ![SeamusMcCool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@SeamusMcCool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeamusMcCool)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/33 "2012-01-26T17:41:41Z")
[![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Bv2JCUhRdUE/TGzdmu1850I/AAAAAAAAFQs/qDv4t_R-myc/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-08-18+at+21.55.02.png) ](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Bv2JCUhRdUE/TGzdmu1850I/AAAAAAAAFQs/qDv4t_R-myc/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-08-18+at+21.55.02.png) [![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DBWlO5OsWWg/So-2iTJR8_I/AAAAAAAAAOI/c_9qcCqUKY8/s400/saturday_night_sunday_morning_xl_01--film-A%5B1%5D.jpg) ](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DBWlO5OsWWg/So-2iTJR8_I/AAAAAAAAAOI/c_9qcCqUKY8/s400/saturday_night_sunday_morning_xl_01--film-A%5B1%5D.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/34 "2012-01-26T18:29:15Z")
Oxford cloth shirt, tie with small repeating pattern ( I am particularly fond of dinosaurs ), either a vest and pocketwatch or braces, chinos in khaki or grey, comfortable shoes appropriate for the season. In winter, a tweed jacket. So yes, more casual than daily work clothes but nicer than what I would wear to clean the gutters. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/35 "2012-01-26T18:43:44Z")
I would dress like a Pearly Queen, and burst in singing “Any Old Iron?” Then again, I do that a lot anyway . . . ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/36 "2012-01-26T20:18:26Z")
[“The was a wild colonial boy…”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFvbOdnzTKk) ---
**Author:** ![Bilbo1967](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@Bilbo1967](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bilbo1967)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/37 "2012-01-26T22:20:35Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Some ridiculous British thing, probably a Sherlock Holmes-style hat. > > We don’t have “pubs” here, so I’ve never heard anyone use the term “pub attire”. You are aware that the internet is not just an American thing, right? What do you think that www stands for! ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/38 "2012-01-26T22:23:52Z")
> [@Bilbo1967](#): > > What do you think that www stands for! Wild wild women? Some videos and photographs that I’ve accidentally stumbled across would seem to indicate as much. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/39 "2012-01-26T23:12:57Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Wild wild women? Some videos and photographs that I’ve accidentally stumbled across would seem to indicate as much. And, of course, you and find those in pubs too. Whisky, also. Cigareets, however, have been banished to the [del]car park[/del] beer garden. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643/40 "2012-01-27T00:08:09Z")
I would also assume that pub attire is something that would survive spills and vomit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pub-attire-what-does-it-mean-to-you/610643.md?page=1)