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Relaxed summer heat dress code?


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Just curious if any clubs are relaxing dress code during this brutal summer heat in many areas?  Maybe short sleeve shirts, not shorts and flip flops, and not SASS state, regional, etc. matches.  Maybe to just get more shooters to come out to a fun club match.  

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Our club did a vote last year and the results were to abide by SASS rules as they pertain to costuming.  This has caused some grumbling, and a couple of shooters have refrained from shooting during the hot weather.  The majority still show up and shoot in SASS approved costuming.

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A couple of Florida clubs instituted a "summer dress". You could wear shorts and a t-shirt if you wanted. Not too many people took them up on it and I had absolutely no problem with it. This is a damn game, not a death match.

 

Me, if it's too hot, I'll just stay home. I've picked enough lead out of my arms and face to last me a lifetime...I'm not picking it out of my legs also.

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Most clubs out here allow a relaxed dress code at July and August matches. I’d guess it is about 50-50 as to those who dressed Castaway Cowboy and traditional cowboy dress. I dress classic cowboy and I always have and don’t care if others choose to dress in cooler attire in warmer weather, what matters most is that  everyone goes home safely.

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29 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said:

Me, if it's too hot, I'll just stay home

One of the wisest things I've seen anyone say in quite a while.

 

I know it's wise, because that's the way I feel about it. If it's too cold, I don't go play. If it's too hot, I don't go play. If it's pouring ass rain, I don't go play. If I live somewhere where it snowed I wouldn't go play in the snow either.

 

 

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As Yul mentioned, the "Castaway Cowboy" dress requirements were "hat and boots". Any other clothing was the cowboy's choice.

 

Imagine Irish Red O'Toole (close to 6-4 and 300 lb) in a grass skirt and coconut bra!:lol:

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58 minutes ago, Injun Ryder, SASS #36201L said:

As Yul mentioned, the "Castaway Cowboy" dress requirements were "hat and boots". Any other clothing was the cowboy's choice.

 

Imagine Irish Red O'Toole (close to 6-4 and 300 lb) in a grass skirt and coconut bra!:lol:

That’s still burned into my brain.:D

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3 hours ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

Yep.  (Woody Harrelson, The Cowboy Way.)

 

786212.jpg.b72c0843c0ca3a41a2eb9bbf50cd15fd.jpg

Damn California beach cowboy!  As pale as he is he'd best stay out the Arizona sunshine or he'll look like a toasted raisin in no time at all.

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im afraid to imagine , yet i might show up to gawk , i might not wear my original heavy weith stuff i do have some lighter weight that ive been weraing and im OK with that , there is a point where we cross back int just being a shooting club instead of what we are supposed to be 

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Our club has Cowboy Lite dress code for Summers here in South Texas (Jun-Aug). Shirt sleeve shirts, shorts are ok. No open toed shoes or ball caps. We recommend a cowboy hat.  We also try to shoot in our buildings vs the non covered stages on the range. 
 

Totes

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When it comes to working or shooting outside in this heat nothing beats a long sleeved cotton shirt and a straw cowboy hat.  I see no reason to not dress in at least the bare minimum to meet SASS standards, but then again if somebody wants to show up at a monthly and shoot in shorts that's up to them.  I don't like to see bigger matches or annual shoots that advertise summer attire, to me period correct clothing is a huge part of what makes SASS the unique game it is.  If you are in a hotter area host your annual match not in the summer.  

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Some locals allow relaxed and some don’t. Some folks have a relaxed attitude about relaxed dress codes and some get upset.

 

Short sleeved shirts don’t make much of a difference to me, but when it’s a 90+90+ day shorts feel a lot better than long pants, so I wear them where they’re allowed. As an added bonus the glare off my white legs might blind my competitors and give me an edge.

 

When I was first starting out I would shoot in any weather. Nowadays if it’s really hot, maybe not.

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IMG_1237.jpeg

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Whats so Brutal ?
Its not 132 degrees
I am Not in full Uniform
I am not 6000 miles from home
I am not wearing wearing 70 pounds of Body armor 
There is very little Chance of me driving over a Bomb today 
The Thunder storm last night only woke me long enough to realize That is wasnt incoming mortars 


Fun fact is Long sleeve shirts in heat help cool you 
 

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2 minutes ago, PowderRiverCowboy said:

Whats so Brutal ?
Its not 132 degrees
I am Not in full Uniform
I am not 6000 miles from home
I am not wearing wearing 70 pounds of Body armor 
There is very little Chance of me driving over a Bomb today 
The Thunder storm last night only woke me long enough to realize That is wasnt incoming mortars 


Fun fact is Long sleeve shirts in heat help cool you 
 

We shoot to enjoy, this is just a game.

BTW, RESPECTFULLY- I had 3 sons in that environment, so I'm well aware of what you were forced to deal with.

I lived in the Mojave Desert for 28yrs ;)

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On 7/19/2023 at 7:35 AM, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

We shoot to enjoy, this is just a game.

BTW, RESPECTFULLY- I had 3 sons in that environment, so I'm well aware of what you were forced to deal with.

I lived in the Mojave Desert for 28yrs ;)


Truth is I would rather be back in Iraq at 132 for a week than go to Walmart for 20 minutes  :)

I hear You there Lived In Kingman for years too  , Even working the ranch out  there long sleeve shirts  .

So some tips Start Earlier or later if possible
Acclimatize yourself , You cant do this inside talking about how hot it is sitting inside in the AC get out and walkaround in it  sit outside 
Drink water not tea and not ice cold . causes more shock to you . Add a Hydration supplement to water stay away from gatorade ect

bring a water mist bottle , spray down long sleeves and pant legs 
 

 

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The clubs I shoot at have dress down days (shorts & t-shirt) on very hot days, but I do not wear them.

I have found that if you wear a lightweight fabric pair of tactical pants (or light weight moisture wicking pants) along with a lightweight long sleeve shirt, it is not much different from shorts and a t-shirt. In addition, by doing so you are protecting your skin from the sun and bugs.

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1 hour ago, PowderRiverCowboy said:

Whats so Brutal ?
Its not 132 degrees
I am Not in full Uniform
I am not 6000 miles from home
I am not wearing wearing 70 pounds of Body armor 
There is very little Chance of me driving over a Bomb today 
The Thunder storm last night only woke me long enough to realize That is wasnt incoming mortars 


Fun fact is Long sleeve shirts in heat help cool you 
 

When I finished my enlistment as a US Submariner and went to work in the civilian world I felt the same way when people complained about their jobs. That leads to my next comment...

1 hour ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

We shoot to enjoy, this is just a game.

BTW, RESPECTFULLY- I had 3 sons in that environment, so I'm well aware of what you were forced to deal with.

I lived in the Mojave Desert for 28yrs ;)

This is a game, not a job.  What I will accept as part of my job isn't something I'll necessarily accept as part of a game.

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I found some linen Henley collared shirts. Very cool fabric. 

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Howdy Heat Strokers,

 

I'm 76 yo and shoot Classic Cowboy. I shoot in the heat in the correct outfit. My reasoning is that being covered protects me from sun damage and my clothes can wick moisture. I've read that full coverage was/is preferred by the old timers and the military, but don't know for sure if this is true. I drink a lot of water during the shoot and haven't had a problem, but then I live in the Northeast, so I can't talk to the current conditions in the Southwest. Oh, a full brimmed hat is far better protection than a ball cap.

 

Rev. Chase

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I had read decades ago about wearing a light long sleeve when motorcycling in the heat. We did a lot of touring back then. The difference in how you feel after 10 hours on the interstate is amazing. We wore the light blue work shirts. It 110 deg in Branson, Missouri and most so fatigued by the end of day they didn't even go to dinner. Ellie & I would feel just fine! Keeps the sunburn and dehydration at bay.

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A light cotton Long Sleeve shirt and Light weight pants are far better than short sleeves and shorts.  Direct Sun will dehydrate one in a hurry and sunburn is no joke.  The light natural fabrics will wick and retain your sweat and act to cool the body.  Polyester and like man-mades will roast you. 

 

PLUS ONE to those who recognize its a GAME and not reenactment.  Those who demand authenticity, count threads and inspect buttons should perhaps consider an NCOWS Posse.  Oh, and sell off the Rugers and '97s.

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39 minutes ago, Reverend P. Babcock Chase said:

Howdy Heat Strokers,

 

I'm 76 yo and shoot Classic Cowboy. I shoot in the heat in the correct outfit. My reasoning is that being covered protects me from sun damage and my clothes can wick moisture. I've read that full coverage was/is preferred by the old timers and the military, but don't know for sure if this is true. I drink a lot of water during the shoot and haven't had a problem, but then I live in the Northeast, so I can't talk to the current conditions in the Southwest. Oh, a full brimmed hat is far better protection than a ball cap.

 

Rev. Chase

 

Come on down to Florida...in August...your choice of outfit will probably change. If you do dress CC, please carry all current medical info with you also.<_<

 

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Our club has Cowboy Lite dress code for summer monthly shoots here in Central Texas (Jun-Aug). Short sleeve shirts and shorts are ok. No open toed shoes or ball caps. A cowboy hat is recommended but not required.  We also try to shoot our covered stages as much as possible. I usually just dress in a short sleeved Henley but still wear my jeans and boots with a cowboy hat. When I wear a long sleeve Henley I end up pushing the sleeves up as far as I can get them during the rest of the year so it isn't much difference for me. We always have plenty of water available along the stages so you have plenty to drink. I have a hydration powder that I add to my water to help me keep going. At 73 and a few extra pounds I try to take extra care to maintain my health.

 

TM

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Forgot to mention.  There are some Really Really good reasons the Desert Peoples of the Middle east dress in those silly full length Linen outfits.  Really really good reasons.  And not so silly after all.

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I have worn an evaporative vest and also a "Texas cool vest" with ice packets filled with a compound that froze at 54 deg (so not ice cold) at matches. I no longer have the evaporative vest (damn thing shrunk on me).

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Dressing  for CC can be an issue but otherwise lightweight pants and a lightweight long sleeve shirt do wonders in the heat.  If I know I'm going to be out in the sun all day I tend to wear long sleeves anyways.  Get a nice wide brim straw hat for your head.  

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Roofers all wear long sleeve cotton shirts because they are cooler.  I tried it and they are correct.  But you have to drink enough water to generate some sweat.  Water is the key to staying alive/cool.  

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Don’t ask @Skinny for his opinion! 
The reason for summer dress is acclimation. In the Deep South we go from our air conditioned homes to our air conditioned cars to our air conditioned offices and back. 
If offered, summer dress is perfect. No summer dress, day of shoot call.

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We allow a relaxed dress code for July & August allowing shorts & a Tee shirt if you choose. Shoes/boots with enclosed toe covering is a must though. Maybe 25% of the shooters take advantage of the relaxed dress code depending on the weather that day.

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31 minutes ago, Dusty Devil Dale said:

Roofers all wear long sleeve cotton shirts because they are cooler.  I tried it and they are correct.  But you have to drink enough water to generate some sweat.  Water is the key to staying alive/cool.  

One bottle per stage is my rule of thumb.


With regard to those advocating long pants as being better...I respectfully disagree.  Air movement helps, and in 60 years I've never had sunburn on my legs while 'standing' outside. 

 

In any case there is such a thing as sunblock, though I would hope that the purists would refuse to use it given Cowboys didn't have it 'back in the day.'

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28 minutes ago, Captain Bill Burt said:

One bottle per stage is my rule of thumb.


With regard to those advocating long pants as being better...I respectfully disagree.  Air movement helps, and in 60 years I've never had sunburn on my legs while 'standing' outside. 

 

In any case there is such a thing as sunblock, though I would hope that the purists would refuse to use it given Cowboys didn't have it 'back in the day.'

If the day starts out over 90ºF, I usually abstain.  As a freckle faced, red headed kid, I can attest your legs can definitely burn standing around in shorts..   I burn royally in-between the freckles... and am now providing my dermatologist enough income to send his kids thru college because as a kid I didn't wear long sleeves and long pants!  Nor did I religiously wear my cowboy hats... As for sunblock, if you're exposing areas normally not exposed, please use it...   Your dermatologist will hate you!  As for them not having it in the old west... they didn't have Rugers either! :P  (You knew that one was coming, right?) :P

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