People are just realising why snooker players are forced to wear bow ties and waistcoats

You don't have to be a sports fan to know that snooker players always wear a bow tie and waistcoat while playing. It's a striking look - but not everyone's cup of tea.

It's not surprising that most snooker players hate the strict dress codes, and would much rather wear polo tops and jeans. Most people don't know why snooker players are still forced to wear the old fashioned clothes.

The game was born as a variation on the similar pastime of Billiards back in the 1700s. At that time, it was played by the British aristocracy. Those who wished to participate were expected to wear a waistcoat and bow tie, a practice that has not changed in the hundreds of years since. Of course, a traditional tie would get in the way when trying to play a shot, as would a suit jacket.

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The dress code - which also includes smart trousers and a long-sleeve shirt - has been relaxed in recent years. Some events have ditched the bow ties and waistcoats altogether, while more colour variation has been allowed on the traditional black or white, says the Daily Star.

But there have been increased calls for a total reform. Mark Allen told Eurosport last year: “You look at every other sport. Young people look at TV and go ‘I want to have what they’re wearing’. And unfortunately snooker’s not like that. It could change definitely.

“Polo T-shirts are probably more than enough. If people want to wear nice watches or have good tattoos on their arms, people can say ‘I’d love to have that’. At the minute, we’re just stifled in what we can do and I would be pretty confident in saying no one enjoys playing in a bow tie and a waistcoat.”

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