Announcing the 2020 GolfThreads Style Award Winners
Award season is upon us and the GolfThreads Crew couldn’t help but get in on the act. After piling up the miles in the air and on the ground for the PGA Show, we walked away with a list of favorites in a dozen categories.
Unlike the awards shows, you don’t have to endure any boring monologues (other than this intro), awkward envelope openings, or rambling acceptance speeches. Unfortunately, there isn’t an afterparty, either, but there’s always next year for that.
Anyway, check out our favorites from Orlando. You’ll find everything from men’s and women’s collections to shoes, accessories, and more.
Favorite Men’s Collection
Greyson Clothiers
It’s a repeat, repeat, repeat favorite of GolfThreads because it is so comprehensive in style options, rich in colors, and features modern patterns with a contemporary fit. Greyson has also become the ‘go-to’ booth even if you just walk around and look at the creative displays – e.g. the 20-foot teepee inside, this year!
Favorite Women’s Collection
GGBlue Luxe Sport
Not new to the women’s golf apparel game, but GGBlue is killing it this year by finding just the right balance between fun and flirty while still being functional and not going overboard. We like how the fall collection incorporates influences from après-ski concepts that really speak to lifestyle vs only golf-specific. Flattering shapes, eye-catching prints, contemporary styling and pops of color tossed in – we think you’ll find a little of something for everyone in the collection.
Favorite Concept
Puma Game That Travels
Since Puma players spend their lives traveling to the most desirable golf courses in the world – from California to Hawaii to the Bahamas to Florida – the concept is to build an apparel/accessory/footwear collection around stops on Tour. Turfs Up for the Farmers at Torrey Pines, Tournament Pack for Augusta, Arnold Palmer for the namesake invitational to name a few – all are carefully curated to express the flavor of chosen spots on Tour and whether it’s in the details of a cap liner or a print on a polo shirt or the design on a golf bag – the collections evoke a sense that you can be there, too.
Favorite New Brand
7Diamonds
You may have heard/seen 7Diamonds menswear in stores such as Nordstrom as well as boutique shops. We were pleasantly surprised and delighted to see the brand venture into golf specific pieces – super quality at good price points. We think 7Diamonds will be a home run for pro shops. The proprietary linear flex fabric on its new 7-pocket golf pant is about as technical as you can get while still feeling like a superior constructed pant. Expect to see much more of 7Diamonds in GolfThreads reviews.
Favorite Men’s Shoes
Royal Albartross Strider & G/FORE MG4+
If you have been following sneaker trends, you know that chunky kicks with expansive midsoles are having a moment. Royal Albartross and G/FORE are two brands that are bringing the trend to the fairways. Both look like they just walked off a fashion runway and onto the course. The Strider from Royal Albartross is a chunky take on a proper British trainer that looks as good off the course as on it.
G/FORE’s MG4+ builds on its crossover MG4.1 shoe from 2019. It blends the perfect combination of classic necessities with a modern vibe. The expansive auxetic lattice midsole provides rebound for an easy ride, while the 3D external heel cup is a welcomed addition for more support during the swing.
Favorite Women’s Shoes
Royal Albartross Runway Low Loafer & ECCO S-THREE
We chose one fashion-forward shoe and one technical shoe. The Runway loafer is hands down one of the most stylish golf shoes we’ve seen. We love the spectator details with modern colorways, and they are so comfortable. Truly an on-course and après golf shoe.
The S-THREE is ECCO’s new midsole construction that has three different densities that give your feet exactly what they need to perform where they need it. This shoe will be available in three colorways for both women and men.
Favorite Crossover Collection
Adidas Adicross
As more golf apparel brands try to bridge the gap between the course and the street, crossover pieces are becoming a bigger story. Given its rich history in sport and streetwear, it is no surprise to see Adidas crank out crossover capsules that are cool, casual, and comfortable. The Adicross Collection has been part of Adidas’ golf line for several years and each is better than the last. The 2020 collection was born from Scottish inspiration. At the forefront, is a hooded rain jacket with a micro houndstooth print and a Tartan polo with a random pattern. Feeding into the sustainability trend, each of these Tartan polos is different because they use left-over fabrics. Other favorites are a chunky shawl collar sweater for cooler days and Warpknit joggers with a slim cargo pocket.
Favorite Technology
Kjus Gemini Rain Jacket
This jacket got a lot of attention at the PGA Show and with good reason. Kjus had an area where attendees could try on the jacket and take golf swings to show the flexibility of the fabric, but also demonstrate how reversing it from light to dark sides changes the body temperature by 10 degrees based on if you need to warm up or cool off. Waterproof, windproof, lightweight, breathable and ultra-soft, the Gemini is a fabric engineering feat. It will be available in April just in time for the Masters.
Favorite Collaboration
Jones x Greyson Clothiers
Combine Greyson’s elevated style with Jones’ well-crafted bags, and the result is a collaboration for the ages. The range of bags includes everything from stand bags and duffles to weekenders and backpacks done in Greyson’s Navajo, Ghost Dancer, and Buffalo Camo prints.
Favorite Bag
Vessel
There is a lot more to Vessel than golf bags. Yes, its premium stand bags, cart bags, staff bags, headcovers and more, are top-notch quality and beautiful. Vessel was the premier bag supplier for the 2019 Presidents Cup proving the bags are also super functional. But the lifestyle bags, particularly the travel carry on with matching backpack and tote, were PGA Show-Stoppers. The toughest part will be choosing which bags and in which colors. Horrible problem to have.
Favorite Sustainable Product
True Linkswear Eco Knit
Kudos to True Linkswear for helping clean up the plastic waste that is choking our oceans. Dubbed ‘Fore The Planet,’ the Eco Knit upper is made entirely from post-consumer recycled plastic. It’s available now in off-white, black and medium blue for men – women’s arriving around May. It’s the lightest shoe for the company to date, and with a price point of just under $100, we can all afford to enjoy the walk while feeling very good about making an environmental impact.
Favorite Accessory
Dormie x Asher Glove Pouch
What do you do with your glove after the round? If you are like many players, you likely throw it in a pocket of your bag only to find it a crinkled mess on the first tee of your next round. The creative headcover guys at Dormie have teamed up with the fashion-forward glove team at Asher to create a pouch for storing multiple gloves. Think of the interior as a billfold for your gloves. The exterior is crafted from a stylish and masculine mustang leather that will distress and crack over time like a high-end leather sofa. This sure beats storing your gloves in a zip-lock bag.
The puma script hats bring me back to the old script starter hat days. Greyson never has an off cycle. very sharp.