I never need an excuse to add a couple of new fits to my golf wardrobe, but two occasions always present good opportunities for grabbing some new threads—golf trips and big tournaments. While the excursions to far away fairways are in the rearview mirror for the year, my club championship is just around the next corner.
Leaning into theory of ‘looking good, feeling good, playing great’ I decided to visit a reliable friend—FairwayStyles. I’ve been shopping at the online retailer for close to 15 years, first stumbling upon the site in my quest to find J.Lindeberg. See, back in the day, short of hopping on an overnight flight to Stockholm, FairwayStyles was one of a few places a style-conscious American golfer could find JL’s fashion-forward gear.
Always on the forefront of trends, FairwayStyles has been a place for me to discover new looks and brands over the years. I distinctly remember coming across an upstart label with a simple, yet cool vibe called TravisMathew back in 2008. On another one of my scrolling adventures, Sligo’s (you do remember Sligo, right) vibrant colors and brash color-blocked designs caught my eye.
These days, FairwayStyles is stocking the ‘who’s who’ of the golf fashion world—everything from Greyson’s intricate prints to FootJoy’s classic looks and Galvin Green’s cutting-edge layers.
For my club championship, I decided to zig while others were zagging. Patterns, large and small, have been dominating the fairways over the last few years, and frankly, I’ve been feeling a bit of pattern fatigue, lately. This was confirmed as I took a quick peek at my closet and had a plethora of camos, florals, and geometrical shapes staring back at me. It was then I decided timeless looks with modern details were the key to standing out for this event and I filled my FairwayStyles cart with two golf fashion icons—J.Lindeberg and Ralph Lauren RLX.
Day 1: J.Lindeberg
If you have been a GolfThreads reader for a while, you know that J.Lindeberg is the brand that ignited my passion and interest in golf fashion. In the early 2000’s, the Swedish fashion house redefined golf apparel with slim cuts, performance fabrics, and a rock ’n roll attitude.
One of the things I’ve always admired about J.Lindeberg is how it has used it’s ‘JL’ bridge logo as a design element in clean and tasteful ways. Think about those big Slater belt buckles and bold Lachlan polos. The same can be said for the collar design on the Lux Bridge Polo. This classic white polo is elevated with bridge artwork that gives it a 3D look and the silicon logo on the chest adds a modern touch.
With cooler temps settling in, this is the time of the year to rediscover the natural feel of cotton, especially after wearing performance fabrics for several months. The Pima cotton blend of the Lux Bridge Polo offers the best of both worlds as the soft and luxurious feel is mixed with high- tech polyester to transport moisture and provide the stretch needed for effortless swings.
Pairing the Lux Bridge Polo with JL’s Kim Shorts is a no-brainer. That 3D bridge logo found on the collar of the polo is repeated on the left hip of the shorts. The Kim Shorts are perfect for a big tournament because they are prepared for any condition. They feature ventilated side panels and are constructed from a 4-way stretch fabric that is also water and wind repellent.
Wearing comfortable shoes is important for any round of golf, but it is especially important for the first day of a two-day tournament. Any blisters or discomfort will only get worse the second day. Having put this much effort into my fit, I’m not about to skimp on style, which brings me to the ECCO BIOM H4 BOA.
I’ve been eyeing these kicks for months as I love the modern sneaker style and accent colors. Besides, any time I can get a pair of golf shoes with BOA’s closure system I jump at the opportunity. As I learn to use the ground to create power in my swing, dialing in the perfect, secure fit on both feet is a key to performance and confidence for me. Plus, ECCO pioneered the spikeless golf outsole, and the MTN traction system is the latest innovation from the brand that delivers grip across three different zones to enhance comfort, stability, and rotational support.
Day 2: Ralph Lauren RLX
Is there a more iconic American fashion label than Ralph Lauren? I think not, and the brand is no stranger to the fairways. From outfitting many of the best-dressed players in the game to designing Ryder Cup uniforms, Ralph Lauren has successfully blended style and performance on the course for decades, especially with its sporty RLX label.
For the final round, I channeled one of my favorite players and friend of the blog, Billy Horschel with a simple fit that transitions easily from the course to life. Nailing the details is the key to sartorial success with simple outfits. This starts with sharp tailoring and ends with accessories that pop. Wearing pants off the rack is the equivalent of playing a driver off the rack. It just doesn’t work. For me, the drive to the tailor and the $15 to dial in the perfect length for these Cypress 5-pocket pants was well worth it and much cheaper than getting custom fit for a driver.
Up top I opted for the aptly named Golf Course Polo in French Navy. I’m not sure if there is an official ranking of navy blue hues, but Ralph Lauren’s French Navy has to be at the top of the list. While I’ve never been afraid of a few nips and tucks on shirt to get the fit right, thanks to FairwayStyles’ True Fit system I was quickly able to confirm that medium was the right size for me. Granted, a few years ago I would have tried to squeeze into a small, I’m preferring a little more width in the chest and sleeves these days. Times are changing and the ultra-slim fit looks from a few years ago are giving way to more practical and tailored cuts.
I’ve always gravitated towards outfits that put a contemporary spin on classic looks. Sure, this is a timeless look, but the silver metallic ‘RLX’ logo on the left chest and the 5-pocket design of the pants modernize it. Not to mention the Airflow fabric of the polo allows air to reach the skin for a cooling sensation while wicking moisture away. The same can be said for the lightweight stretchy fabric on the pants.
Several belt options work with this kit. A khaki color belt would blend with the pants to create the illusion of longer legs, while a navy belt would sync with the polo and elongate the torso. Instead, I chose a grey braided strap that complements the ‘RLX’ logo on the shirt and the hits of grey on the FootJoy shoes.
Remember, your belt should complement your look, not necessarily match your pants or shirt. Have fun! A simple ensemble like this gives you almost endless belt possibilities.
FootJoy’s Premiere Series shoes have been my go-to since they launched nearly two years ago. A continuing bout with ankle tendinitis has me looking for some extra stability, and FootJoy’s Tour Alpha shoe is as stable as the Golden Gate Bridge. The more you wear the Tour Alpha, the better it gets as the Ortholites Impressions Fitbed molds to the foot for comfort. I love the stable platform and traction that this shoe provides.
A little color goes a long way, and this outfit receives a pop from Asher’s Ice Glove. To be honest, nearly every glove in Asher’s lineup would work with this kit, but the Ice has just the right amount of color without being over the top. Plus, it works nicely with the navy polo, silver RLX logo, grey belt, and blue accents on the Tour Alphas.
Results
So how did the ‘look good, feel good, play great strategy’ work for me?
A balky putter wasted a strong ball striking round as I signed for a disappointing opening round 79 before heading to the practice green for a quick practice sesh in my JL fit. The extra work paid off and I climbed the leaderboard in the final round in RLX, closing with a one-under run over the final seven holes to post a 75, good enough for a T-4 gross and solo second net finish. No doubt, if there was a best-dressed competition, I would have taken top honors thanks to FairwayStyles, JL, Ralph Lauren, ECCO, FootJoy, and Asher.