Concours, Proper Attire?

[MBZ 500E]

So I'll be entering my first concours in less than 2 weeks and I have to ask what is proper attire for a a show.

Can I wear shorts, jeans or slacks?

Also how on earth do you guys/gals keep yourself clean when prepping the car. I'm worried that if I'm wearing a pair of Khaki's they will be tan/black by the time I'm done wiping down the wheel wells! Do you bring a change of clothes, maybe an apron.....

I know it sounds like a silly subject but first impressions do make a difference so it's worth asking.

[JasonC8301]

I have no experience in concours, but it depends on the type of concours event. a local event might be casual while a national concours event might intail some more sophisticated wear.

BradB might be able to chime in here about attire.

If it was me, on a cool day, a pair of Docker's MF khaki slacks and a nice Autopia polo and some nice shoes. This is when showing the car I guess. To prepare bring a fairly older set of cloths...

[Lynn]

I generally go for khakis & polo shirt. And I generally go for darker-colored khaki's, since I know I'll spend some time on my knees (no, not pleading with judges; just wiping down wheels, etc.) "Upscale" shorts if the weather is too warm.

Now ... what's all this about getting filthy onsite?? All your hard/dirty work should be done beforehand. It's typical for me to stop someplace fairly near the concours site to do most of the last-minute stuff that could get me dirty. Then just drive to the venue, QD exterior, wipe down the interior, perhaps a final wipe on the tires, and call it quits.

But ... just so you know I didn't always have this relatively relaxed attitude: First time I showed the car, I was doing the following onsite: waxing, TW chrome polish, cleaning/dressing the vinyl/rubber dressing, Windexing the windows, etc. (Oh! and ArmorAll. Did I mention ArmorAll?) Fortunately, the local Jag club members were very, very kind to me. And one of them told me that very day about Autopia. (Thanks again, GDJags!) Boy, was I stupid.

[tetz]

Well, you won't get into Pebble Beach wearing shorts and a polo shirt, but that attire works for me at the local level Porsche club events. The folks with 996 turbos tend to be a little better
dressed than the rest of us regular folk, but nobody cares much
who wears what. There was a post recently with a lot of pictures
from a Jaguar show; check out what people are wearing in those
pics.

I bring along an old mattress cover pad to sit/crouch/kneel/lie on
for the final preparations. The grass is usually wet from dew.
Have fun and let us know how it went.
JonT

[Brad B.]

I have always done the Khaki's or khaki shorts and golf shirt or short sleeve shirt.

All the "dirty" work is done in advance in my "Jimbob" cutoffs and "I'm with stupid" tanktop. Just kidding, hey, the properly attired detailer has an Autopia golf shirt and apron! This keeps your nice clothes nice.
<img src="http://www.fototime.com/8986D9CA92C8CD2/standard.jpg" border=0>

[MBZ 500E]

Sounds like Khaki's and Polo Shirt are the way to go, thats easy enough and comfortable. I'll have to get one of those aprons, I just didn't want to be the only one wearing one.

The only part of my car that I'm 100% sure will be filthy when I arrive at the show will be the wheels and wheel wells. MB's have the absolute dustiest brake pads in existence. Other than that (and the bugs of course) the car will be clean!

Thank you everyone for your help

[Lynn]

Hey, Afshin, you forgot to mention how darn cute Brad looks in his Stylin' Autopian outfit!

[Brad B.]

Aw shucks, folks. Hey, You wanna see my Autopia tattoo also?!

[Lynn]

This is a family show, Brad.