The holidays are just around the corner, and if you are like me, your list is filled with the latest and greatest from J.Lindeberg Golf. In fact, I’ve been known to have a section of my wish list dedicated only to JL polos, pants, sweaters, outerwear and belts.
With its AW’15 Collection, J.Lindeberg has once again succeeded in bridging fashion and function. The clean lines, timeless sophistication and cutting edge technical fabrics in the collection capture the style and athleticism of the modern game.
SEE ALSO: J.Lindeberg & Bespoken Bring Mod-Style Back to the Fairways
Whether you are making your list and checking it twice or shopping for that special golfer in your life, here are 7 of my favorites from JL’s AW’15 Collection that are sure to bring joy and style this holiday season.
1. Laurent AC Merino Sweater
J.Lindeberg crafts some of the smartest sweaters you’ll find, so if you are looking for an ugly Christmas sweater, you’ll need to take your search somewhere else.
Hands down, the Laurent is my favorite knitwear piece this fall. I love its versatility. It looks as good with a pair of jeans or wool slacks as it does with a pair of technical trousers. It is easy to dress it up or dress it down by layering it over a dress shirt, polo or even a t-shirt. The herringbone print is completely on trend for the season. It has been one of the most popular patterns in menswear this fall, and it offers the perfect weight for the cold weather months. The full-zip style of this sweater along with the contrasting collar, cuffs, hem, zipper and pockets puts a modern twist on the traditional button-up cardigan.
2. Louis AC Merino Sweater
The Louis possesses the same on-course/off-course versatility as the Laurent, but in a classic v-neck style. Although the style may be timeless, modern details are what separate the Louis from those boring sweaters in your dad’s closet. The tailoring of this knitwear piece makes it the perfect example of how a golf sweater should fit. It is slim through the body and fitted in the forearms to eliminate distracting excess material during the swing. Like the Laurent, the subtle tonal check pattern on the Louis elevates its style quotient.
The beauty of both the Laurent and the Louis is the ease of care of the merino/safil blend. Those of you who have destroyed a favorite merino sweater by accidentally putting it through the washing machine know that merino usually requires a trip to the dry cleaners. That’s not the case with the Laurent and Louis. Both are fabricated from a cold wash merino, which means you can put them in the washing machine without having them look like your kid’s sweater a half hour later. Just make sure you wash them in cold water and DO NOT put them in the dryer.
3. Ruy TX Jersey Polo
As you would expect, J.Lindeberg’s polos for the season are on point. They epitomize modern sophistication by striking the perfect balance between classic good looks and 2015 performance. For example, take JL’s Ruy Polo. The ribbed collar and sleeve hems, the tipping, and the 3-button placket evoke a vintage vibe from the Golden Age of the game. On the flip side, the cut, high tech fabric and venting around the collar are all distinctly modern. What really puts Ruy in a league by itself, though, is the tonal ‘J.Lindeberg’ script that runs down the spine. It is a subtle detail, but one that adds to the look without being over the top.
4. Regis Lux Stripe Jersey Polo
As great as technical fabrics are (and J.Lindeberg has some of the best in the game), there is nothing like slipping on a soft, all natural cotton shirt, like JL’s Regis Polo.
When you think back to how JL pushed the boundaries of golf fashion with bold, color blocked styles a decade ago, it would have been difficult to imagine at that time that JL would ever do a classic, and somewhat preppy, bar striped polo. The Regis, however, is a great example of where JL is as a brand now. It is still a trendsetter, but now its point of view focuses on clean, effortless and meticulously tailored looks. With the cooler temps, now is the time to rediscover the benefits of a soft classic cotton polo. The grey tone-on-tone stripes and modern fit of the Regis make it an obvious choice.
5. Jakob Stretch Wool Trouser
Dressy cargo pants are trending in menswear this season. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at item #9 on GQ’s list of 30 Essential Trends of the Season. These fancy cargos aren’t the same baggy variety you sported on laundry day in college. Today’s cargos are slimmer and use sophisticated fabrics, like twills and tweeds, which we typically see in suits.
Sure, I know what you’re thinking. Cargo pants and the game of golf have had a tenuous relationship in the past — just ask His Airness, Michael Jordan. However, when done right, cargo pants can bring an elegant and modern look to the course. Needless to say, J.Lindeberg nailed it with the Jakob pant. This wool skinny-fit pant with a bit of stretch and a slight taper through the leg offers a very clean silhouette. Best of all, the Jakob easily transitions from the course to the office, making it a perfect choice when sneaking out to play a quick nine on a warm winter’s day.
6. Mid TN Pullover
I’ve been wearing J.Lindeberg’s Jarvis Pullover for a couple of years. It is one of my favorite outerwear pieces. I really didn’t think JL could improve on it, but the new Mid TN Pullover has certainly upped the ante.
The Mid TN is lighter and warmer than the Jarvis. On warm days, it can serve as a fashionable and functional piece to layer over a polo. When the temps begin to dip, it can be sandwiched between a base layer and an outer shell to provide an extra layer of warmth without negatively impacting range of motion and playability. If you are looking for an understated look, check out the solid colorways. If you are looking to amp it up, the color blocked version (my personal favorite) is available in several colorways.
7. Slater 40 2.0 Herringbone Belt
There really isn’t a more iconic belt in the game than J.Lindeberg’s Slater. It started the whole belt craze a decade ago. Various brands have slapped their own logos on belt buckles recently, but none measure up to what JL has going on with the Slater. There is something about that JL bridge logo that works so nicely on a belt buckle. Over the years, the Slater has evolved thanks to modern tweaks, like a slimmer strap and smaller buckle.
For AW’15, JL has upgraded the Slater with a two-tone metal buckle that features the JL bridge logo in a copper color that really pops. If you are going to add one belt from the collection to your holiday list, make it the Slater 40 2.0 Herringbone Belt. The wool herringbone strap provides a fresh departure from your typical leather straps and it offers a nice tweedy texture that is perfect for fall.
BTW, if you are going to add two Slater belts to your holiday list — make the second one a webbed version with a striped strap and exotic leather details.
As always, the best way to stock up on J.Lindeberg this holiday is season is by visiting the brand’s website at jlindebergusa.com, or by checking out the JL collection at Trendygolf and Fairway Styles.