John Higgins urges snooker to DITCH waistcoats and loosen up to get with times

John Higgins believes snooker chiefs should relax their famous dress code.

The green-baize game is synonymous with players wearing waistcoats and bow ties. But some of the biggest stars have urged bosses to drag the sport into the 21st century with more modern, and less restrictive, attire. World No.2 Judd Trump has been outspoken about the sport’s need to revolutionise its image in recent years.

And four-time Wizard of Wishaw Higgins believes keeping the traditional dress suit for the World Championship, much like Wimbledon’s strict all-white dress code, could be the way to go. Higgins kicks off his bid for a third Masters title against Champion of Champions winner Mark Allen at Ally Pally this afternoon. He said: “Life is moving forward and I think an attire change should be implemented for more and more events on the tour. I know we have the black shirts for the Home Nations but that’s just the same old, same old.

“Implementing a different attire can help attract a different clientele to the game. I definitely think that could be the way forward for snooker.

“I definitely think you could have the traditional waistcoat and bow tie for the World Championship like Wimbledon and maybe change for the others.”

This season players sported snazzy darts-style t-shirts for the invitational Champion of Champions. And the argument from the players is they practise in comfortable attire day in and day out. “You feel a lot more free,” said Higgins.

“You can move around the table a lot quicker and you’re not as restricted as you would be with the waistcoat and bow tie on. It was a big thumbs up from me. I don’t know what other people said or how it looked on TV but you’ve got to embrace things like this.

“I’m not on that side of