Four-time AFL premiership coach Clarkson had a famous rule that every member of a Hawks team he led had to run out in a traditional jersey.
But with Mitchell now in charge after Clarkson's 17-year tenure as Hawthorn coached ended in messy fashion last season, things are different at Waverley Park.
Chad Wingard, who almost always wore long-sleeve jumpers during his seven seasons with Port Adelaide, took immediate advantage of Mitchell's scraping of the Clarkson rule when the Hawks played North Melbourne on Sunday.
"Chad wanted to wear a long-sleeve (jumper) and it's not something I spend too much time thinking about," Mitchell said.
"My take on it is I want the players to be able to express themselves.
"Whether Chad wants white hair, have tattoos and wear long sleeve jumpers, if that's going to give him the best chance to feel like himself, to give him the chance to perform at his best then I'm not going to get in his way.
"Anyone who wants to wear different things that are within the AFL rules then I quite enjoy it.Â
"I think the fans like it and I like the long sleeves."
Wingard struggled early against the Kangaroos at the MCG, having just two possessions at halftime, but came alive in the final quarter.
With the game on the line, the dual All-Australian stepped up with two crucial goals in the final term to help Hawthorn record a morale-boosting 20-point first-round win.
Ruckman Max Lynch suffered a heavy knock in his first game for the Hawks after switching from Collingwood during the off-season and will likely be placed into the AFL's 12-day concussion protocols.
"He wasn't in the song, and they said he had to go home because he was getting a bit of a headache and those things," Mitchell said.
"With concussion it's one of those things we don't take any risk with and don't try to push it at all."
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