Dress code and etiquette

[Alistair]

Hi gents,

For those of you who have visited fine London guns shops, and their shooting ranges, how did you dress?
Smart casual, tweed, Beau Brummer style, "no brown in town"?

I will be visiting London in foreseeable future, so asking for your experience.

Thanks!

The only times I've gone, it was jeans and a hoodie.

I actually find this a good test for luxury brands.

Show up looking like a homeless person. Do they still treat you with respect? Do they still take the time? Do they care to get to know you?

It tells you a lot about their brand; is it the love of the product, or just a scheme to generate fake, tacky prestige?

Rolex consistently fails on that, Purdey was 50/50, but H&H and A Lange passed with flying colors. So they'd get my business.

 

[WAB]

I have visited all of the London shops on numerous occasions. A day out in London usually involves a decent restaurant and a good bottle of wine. I don’t wear a blazer, but I do wear decent slacks and shirt with comfortable shoes.

 

[Muskox]

Jeans and a hoodie is always a good test for people to weigh the value of how they treat people. Customer service or just life.

Men that professionally wear office clothing, and look like a model from a mens catalog but are in low positions tend to not treat people they don't know very well who appear to be in the trades. This is true in the civil servant world, I would assume that it is probably true outside of it.

Always makes me laugh.

 

[HankBuck]

The only times I've gone, it was jeans and a hoodie.

I actually find this a good test for luxury brands.

Show up looking like a homeless person. Do they still treat you with respect? Do they still take the time? Do they care to get to know you?

It tells you a lot about their brand; is it the love of the product, or just a scheme to generate fake, tacky prestige?

Rolex consistently fails on that, Purdey was 50/50, but H&H and A Lange passed with flying colors. So they'd get my business.

@Alistair - I enjoy the “Snob factor” and Forced Courtesy given by some High End gun shops and it even sounds better thru a thick British accent. I sometimes dress for the occasion - looking over tires at Goodyear is more casual then selecting a $100,000+ gun at Holland & Holland. Years ago I visited H&H store in Manhattan, during my lunch hour - I was well dressed in suit & tie and felt “worthy” on entering their store. At that time (2005) it was on an upper floor in a high rise building and much smaller then I anticipated - if I recall correctly you had to be “buzzed in”. After that, the well dressed British man was extremely polite, well informed and courteous. I looked over and held a Rigby .double in .470NE and asked “how much?” - the reply “$68,000”. I candidly told him that was well above my budget and did he have any Used…he replied “that is Used” (with only the slightest tinge of smugness). He continued to be professional and helpful, letting me see a New H&H .470NE and allowed me to shoulder it. Just for the Hell of it I again asked “how much” and he told me “$148,000 but this one is already sold and awaiting customer pick it up”. This was in 2005 and I assume these rifles have Not gone on Sale. I enjoyed that store visit and thought the service I received was excellent and always pleasant & courteous —— I was the Only customer in the Store for the hour I spent there. Years later, while on a business trip in London, I wanted to visit the H&H there but my schedule was tight and I was unable to do so. I admire their firearms, the quality, history, and tradition but am unlikely to ever own one.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Well, I decided to check out my wardrobe today. We have 5 closets plus the one in my gun room which has my hunting coats and shirts pants etc. in it. Checked out the other closets, all full of my wifes clothing except for about 12 inches of space where I have 5 dress shirts. Im my dresser I have multiple pairs of jeans in various condition one pair of sneakers a pair Irish setters and a pair Courtneys that hurt my feet, that's it. I definitely need to make the hour and a half drive to Columbus and do some shopping. I at least want to be dressed smart casual when they cremate me and who knows maybe take the wife out some place really nice to eat. Now, if I could find just a little more closet space.

Paul

Buy yourself a white Stetson, a big round Montana Silversmith belt buckle, Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots, silk bandana, and a plaid cowboy shirt with mother-of-pearl snaps (don't forget to splash some cocoa down the front to simulate drooled Copenhagen). Actually, check out the pawn shops. Native cowboys are always bringing in their big rodeo belt buckles. One of those would add some authenticity to the costume. London gun shops will roll out the red carpet for the rich American who obviously owns oil wells. And afterwards you'll still be all set for Halloween parties.

Have a great trip. Hope they let you take pictures inside the shops.

 

[WyoBull]

Short, cut off jeans with a lot of fringe, wife beater Metallica tank top and worn out Chuck Taylor high tops! And, don't forget to sport the mullet! LOL

 

[Pondoro]

Smart casual is wise..Holland & Holland used to be very polite and friendly..only shop they were a bit apprehensive was Purdey...or should I say a bit snobbish..

 

[Adam Stevens]

Reminds me of my teacher from my line apprenticeship, made and sold and lost many fortunes over the years, and when he went to a Porsche dealer one day for parts in the states, in his canadian accent,

He pronounced it "porches" like whats on the outside of your house. The sales lady after hearing him say that a few times, said "sir its POOR CHA"

He replied, I own 4 of them, and I'll call them whatever I want.

 

[coreydb]

There's only a clothing etiquette on high pheasant and game bird shooting estates.

 

[Russ16]

There's only a clothing etiquette on high pheasant and game bird shooting estates.

That’s the one time I don’t complain about being clothes fussy.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

For those of you who have visited Westley Richards in Birmingham you will know that they put a lot of effort into the presentation of their premises, not only how they display their goods, but in the comfort of it all. Deep leather couches surrounding a coffee table topped with beautiful publications for you to wander through as you enjoy a cup of very good coffee. What a travesty to not maximise the experience by according it the respect and appreciation it deserves. I assure you that Steven would still accord you every politeness if you pitched up in sandals and a blue puffer jacket, but the loser would be you.

 

[HankBuck]

For those of you who have visited Westley Richards in Birmingham you will know that they put a lot of effort into the presentation of their premises, not only how they display their goods, but in the comfort of it all. Deep leather couches surrounding a coffee table topped with beautiful publications for you to wander through as you enjoy a cup of very good coffee. What a travesty to not maximise the experience by according it the respect and appreciation it deserves. I assure you that Steven would still accord you every politeness if you pitched up in sandals and a blue puffer jacket, but the loser would be you.

@Kevin Peacocke - AGREE with your point entirely… they way people dress in general has degraded over the past few decades and it extends to All ages: People travel by Air in Pajama’s and also shop in the food store looking “ready for bed”; recently at a wake/funeral most of the Men did Not wear a jacket and tie - including Men 60+ years old that “know better”. As I grew up Men ALWAYS wore a hat and jacket and tie was a standard at dinner in a restaurant, Church, and any formal type event — Women (Teachers too) wore a dress. No reason to avoid “looking nice” and showing that some effort was made to look appropriate when out & about. I think the Traditions in the UK and elsewhere that extend into some types of Hunting - where a type of “shooting attire” is expected to be worn (even Required) - is GREAT. I hope those traditions are retained or at least respected by current and future generations.

 

[WAB]

For those of you who have visited Westley Richards in Birmingham you will know that they put a lot of effort into the presentation of their premises, not only how they display their goods, but in the comfort of it all. Deep leather couches surrounding a coffee table topped with beautiful publications for you to wander through as you enjoy a cup of very good coffee. What a travesty to not maximise the experience by according it the respect and appreciation it deserves. I assure you that Steven would still accord you every politeness if you pitched up in sandals and a blue puffer jacket, but the loser would be you.

I think the Westley Richards premises and the Holland & Holland shooting grounds are the best of the lot and I totally agree with your point. These are very classy establishments, why would you want to show up dressed like a bum?

 

[Tanks]

I assure you that Steven would still accord you every politeness if you pitched up in sandals and a blue puffer jacket, but the loser would be you.

I don't know, someone that pays $2,600 for the puffer jacket below might be the demographic he is looking for.

 

[RR 314]

20 years ago I was at the Sheep Show in Reno, I had never handled most of the custom rifles there on display. I owned a few and had hunted a bit, but wasn't the desired clientele. It was my first time at any hunting show, I happened to be at Air Wing Fallon, and me and some friends went down there to take a look. In those days I was a 700 Custom KS shooter, and I thought that guns as magic.

There were two people in two companies who gave me totally different booth experiences.

One was the current owner of fierce firearms. He worked for Christensen's and I took my check book out and he was hard selling me on a rifle. I was interested, but wasn't fully committed, someone he judged to be a whale came in the booth and he asked me to stand in the corner of the booth and wait for him. Christensen's and his rifles are complete shit now, so I feel vindicated. I have never owned anything from either company and never will.

Mark Bansner was the best. Explained everything to me and showed me every gun he made. Took time to explain everything and I was convinced at the time he was the best custom rifle maker ever. His rifles were a couple price points up the hill, and eventually I got a few but I was hooked. About 10 years ago I was ordering another stock from him and he answered the phone. I told him the story again, and he told me that he had time for everyone, as you never know when the kid that ask questions will become the life long customer.

When Ridby was in Paso Robles I was not allowed in even though I had an appointment. My plan was to order one of the M88 Winchester like Boddington had. Had an 88, had the wood in my hand and the lady at the door didn't let me in. Couple years later they went out of business. Didn't cry any tears for those guys.

Saying that. I don't kick tires in a Lamborghini dealership. So I can't imagine I would kick tires at Purdey or Holland. I don't need a 65 pound ball cap or a 150 pound polo shirt.

Now thet Blaser/Mauser/Sauer is Rigby I might consider it. Though, I hate London and wouldn't probably go there. But if I did, I would wear my navy diver UDT shorts with one of the rounder parts slightly exposed on the left side, and a Kuiu t-shirt and flip flops. I'd sign autographs for anyone that was interested.

I have had less than stellar experiences with Rigby at Jagd and Hund, might be because I am usually there on Friday or Thursday and everyone has their nerves grated pretty hard at that point. So I kind of stopped looking.

Been 30 years since I had a pair of UDT shorts, and I bet they don't make 42 waist UDTs. But it would be funny.

Mark Bansner is awesome. Great guy and gunsmith!

 

[LimbNoMo]

It’s interesting how people can have very different experiences when going places or inquiring about something. One guy gets amazing service dressed like a bum and the other in a suit can’t get the time of day.

Stay thirsty.

 

[Rare Breed]

Just me, in our world today there appears few occasions where we dress for an event…to me visiting there would be an event so just me I am going to dress smartly inclusive of a nice jacket with nice business slacks. Again just me

 

[Rare Breed]

I do the rounds of the London and Birmingham gun shops as often as I can and now throw in some Scottish lifestyle ones too like Grahams of Inverness, House of Bruar and Campbells of Beauly. I think the experience is just that much more rewarding if you take the trouble to dress well, it is sort of a respect thing. I am from Africa and go on African safaris, so the standard garb is a Westley Richards set up of expedition shirt, safari trousers with side pouches, an expedition jacket, Courteney boots and a hat. You can wear that literally anywhere, including on safari, which I do! It is just about enjoyment though, so do your own thing.
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This is just one reason I have joined @Kevin Peacocke in out international Carruthers Club given all of us bar none always dress smartly for any occasion !

 

[Tanks]

Just me, in our world today there appears few occasions where we dress for an event…to me visiting there would be an event so just me I am going to dress smartly inclusive of a nice jacket with nice business slacks. Again just me

That's one of the reasons I love visiting my daughter over Christmas and doing charity events.

 

[Pheroze]

I have not been yet. But, when I do I am going to view pieces of precision, functional art that took several dedicated artisans hundreds of hours to create. Also, the place itself preserves a way of life I never knew, but romanticize. Because of all of this, the respect I have for it all will be obvious by how I am dressed.