Destinations
Golf & Travel
- Golf Resorts
- Golf Fashion
- Golf & Travel Gear
- Equipment
- Packages & Tours
- Golf Schools
- About Us
- Advertise
- Contact Us
- Feedback
- Just One
Classics with a twist in design score in golf fashions for 2010
Like comfort food, this summer see a return to classics, although for many, they have never left. With companies like Vineyard Vines rolling out 100 percent cotton polos with fresh color twists and Bobby Jones bringing on classic browns and blacks with very Casablanca-smart looks, you can be in your happy place if you stick to what you know works for you.
Certainly "Going Green" materials like bamboo, coconut and recycled plastics with the buzz on hot tech fabrics like Cocona, G-Flex, and Coolmax promising to keep you cool, keep you dry, keep the UV rays from getting through and knock pesky bugs senseless, are still seen popular.
But this year, environmental-friendly and high-tech fabrics share the spotlight with more traditional materials like cotton, cashmere, silk and wool, albeit often laced with some tech materials for better performance. 
Colors too reflect classic tastes: whites, browns and blacks along with red, white and blue. Sport Haley for example has a line of red, white and black including argyle sweaters with coordinating skorts and shorts.
Fairway & Greene, Izod G, and E.P. Pro continue to offer staples like polos and v-neck sweaters and there are still some real "wows" out there. Really knock-out updated classic collections were featured by Bobby Jones Apparel, one very smart group honoring the 80th anniversary of the Grand Slam.
In BJ's Telluride collection ruffled v-neck sweater in 100% cashmere was a must-have staple, the ruffles lending the twist. In their Kennebunkport line, the full zip argyle sweater in 100% cotton was another winner. www.bobbyjones.com
Tehama celebrated classic with argyles, plaid patched fabrics, cable sweaters, and a series of tees with whimsical golfing girls' designs at an attractive price of $48. Tehama's Glory days line in browns, whites and blacks looked like colors lifted from old photos. Very classy. www.tehamainc.com
One of hottest lines we've seen is by Swedish company, Abacus, who supplied the outfits for this past Solheim Cup players. Abacus successfully marries classic with knock-out design flair. Just take a look at their collar and cuff details on their rugger shirts — tiny flowers, stitching, cording. Very smart.
Sweaters are lined with a windproof fabric and a trendy trench coat which could go anywhere you want to make a statement, was drafted out of a metallic plaid fabric (Not designed for wanna-be spies). And loved the red, oh-so-soft waterproof rain pants. www.abacus-golf.com
Another line with a clean nostalgic look is Cleveland Classics. Designer Claudia Schwartz has designed everything in the line including the fabrics with jacards and hounds tooth patterns in tans and browns with a touch of peach, and beautiful soft performance fabric shirts in light blues and corals. A mostly for men line, the colors are so luscious, women will want to steal them. www.clevelandclassicsapparel.com
Raingear
When it comes to raingear, remember quality counts. Just ask Woody Austin. Playing a close-to-the-water shot in a President’s Cup, he lost his balance and fell face-first into water. After his big splash, he shook off his Zero Restrictions jacket and pants emerging completely dry within seconds. He went on to drain three straight birdies earning a crucial 1/2 point for the U.S. No wonder he’s a bug ZR fan.
For men, Zero Restrictions waterproof GORE-TEX® apparel includes the TOUR-Lite Traveler’s Jacket which quickly converts to a half sleeve or vest with a zip while The TOUR-Lite Slacks zip off to shorts. Superman has to have these.
For ladies ZR offers the Featherweight pants and jacket. I love the pass-through feature of the pants: makes it easy to access your slacks underneath. The vest is also a winner. It even comes with a cool pocket in the back.
Accessories
Buckle up with Fairway & Greene’s handsome belts in black and chocolate are made from the real thing, farm-raised American crocodile. Other stocking stuffers bound to be appreciated are F&G’s silk neckwear collection and custom-knitted and constructed golf and dress socks of Peruvian Pima cotton with lycra for extra fit and performance.
Sunny side up
Protect your eyes with the glasses Mike Weir and Paula Creamer wear, Sundogs. Sundogs not only look great, they are a comfortable fit and do what they’re supposed to do by blocking out all the bad rays.Just ask Paul Creamer. Some styles even come with a cute little bag. Not sure what to do with it, but it's cute.
Check out Izod G's smart line of ladies (left), kids (above) and Abacus rain jacket (below left) golf attire.