The (Unofficial) Dress Code at The National Seems Oddly Familiar

While there’s not an official dress code at The National Sports Collectors Conference (because, c’mon…how could you realistically enforce it?), many of the attendees of the annual memorabilia supershow share the same eye for fashion.

You know the look…baggy cargo shorts coupled with a mis-matched ballcap/jersey (or shersey) combo and, for some forward thinkers, a backpack to stow the most precious of precious finds. The cargo shorts, too, are a matter of utility, in a place where most buyers always need a place to store stuff.

About that jersey.

While The National is by no means the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, one has to assume the same amount of time went into selecting just the right uni to wear out in public, because, hey, bro, you never knows when the lone cutie working the autograph authentication booth is going to think your powder blue Willie McGee St. Louis Cardinals jersey is really something.

Here are some of the favorites and, full disclosure, if a 1998 Florida Marlins Mike Piazza jersey ever materialized…I’d be buying it.

Enjoy!

MIKE TROUT – LOS ANGELES ANGELS
HEAD GEAR: Non-existent
CARGO SHORTS: No…but they are khaki.
INTANGIBLES: The balled up drawstring bag (courtesy of eBay) in the pocket and the fact dude is hitting the concession stand before making any purchases shows he may not be serious or have a strategy.
FINAL SCORE: 1 (out of three)

MARK MCGWIRE – St. LOUIS CARDINALS
HEAD GEAR: Nope.
CARGO SHORTS: You better believe it!
INTANGIBLES: Just look at that backpack.
FINAL SCORE: 2

DAVE WINFIELD – SAN DIEGO PADRES
HEAD GEAR: No hat…glasses
CARGO SHORTS: Yessir
INTANGIBLES: Canvas grocery bag.
FINAL SCORE: 3 (bonus point for the dude in the Yaz shersey in the background)

ROBERTO CLEMENTE – PITTSBURGH PIRATES
HEAD GEAR: Glasses
CARGO SHORTS: Bingo
INTANGIBLES: While I’m not a fan of the rolling suitcase…it does show commitment
FINAL SCORE: 2

STAN MUSIAL – St. LOUIS CARDINALS
HEAD GEAR: Yes. Matching Cardinals hat
CARGO SHORTS: Success!
INTANGIBLES: Duffel bag in right hand
FINAL SCORE: 4 (you can’t see it, but dude was wearing a shersey beneath his jersey…bonus point!)

BROOKS ROBINSON – BALTIMORE ORIOLES
HEAD GEAR: No
CARGO SHORTS: Kinda
INTANGIBLES: Rolling luggage of some sort
FINAL SCORE: 1.5

MARK FIDRYCH – DETROIT TIGERS (AWAY)
HEAD GEAR: Nuthin’
CARGO SHORTS: Yup
INTANGIBLES: Free drawstring eBay bag
FINAL SCORE: 2

MARK FIDRYCH – DETROIT TIGERS (AWAY)
HEAD GEAR: Sadly…no
CARGO SHORTS: Negative
INTANGIBLES: Jumbo-sized rolling suitcase
FINAL SCORE: 0 (point deducted for leaving jersey unbuttoned)

YU DARVISH – TEXAS RANGERS
HEAD GEAR: Rangers cap (with sunglasses)
CARGO SHORTS: Yes
INTANGIBLES: None…but the hands on hips shows he means business!
FINAL SCORE: 2