BUILDING A GREAT GOLF WARDROBE WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK - PART I
Christine Kaupie
Whether you are new to the game, or have playing forever, wearing the right attire should be an important, but a stress-free part of your game preparation.
Why is it important?
- First, we are women, and the fact is, most of like to be fashionable. Being stylish makes you feel good about yourself.
- Golf apparel is made specifically for comfort and easy of movement. When you play, you walk, you swing, you bend, you crouch & twist. Their stretchy fabrics and shapes let you do all these things without a second thought.
- The technical materials (most likely a polyester/spandex blend) move moisture to the outside which allows sweat to evaporate. (Some say women don’t sweat, they glisten). You stay drier, cooler & less smelly (thank goodness).
- Clothes designed for golf help protect you from the elements such as sun, wind & rain. Most new golf clothes now provide UV Protection.
- Pockets, pockets, pockets. Virtually every piece puts pockets where they should be for those extra balls (say Mulligan!), tees & markers. Companies are now even adding pockets to the undershorts of some skorts & dresses.
- FINALLY, and most importantly, it gives you a sense of confidence. You will concentrate more on your golf game & perform your best.
Start with a great fit. What does that mean?
- Comfortable & allows you to move without feeling constricted.
- Smooth lines and pockets that lie where they are designed to. The shoulder hem should follow your actual shoulder. The sleeves should come to the base of you palm.
- Good length for your body type so you won’t be pulling it down or up all day. The hem should hit close to mid-hip, this helps elongate the leg line.
- Flattering to your figure. Don’t be afraid to show those curves off. Accentuate the positives. Have toned arms, opt for a racerback or sleeveless top. Love your legs? how about a 16” skort? V-neck lines are wonderful to slim you by elongating the look of the torso.
- Find the balance, not too tight, not too loose. There should be no pulling or gaping between buttons. You should be able to fit two fingers within your waistband.
- Don’t be afraid to size up. I know it’s hard, but sometimes that one size up will make you look & feel better. Plus, it will make movement less restricted.
- Lastly, find a comfortable & supportive bra. Lifting the girls where the belong creates a flattering look in today’s golf tops & dresses. A good sports bra all is a way to optimize your back swing. There is a great article explaining why sports bras are a good idea when you golf. Check it out here: https://womenandgolf.com/news/women-and-golf-features/should-you-wear-a-sports-bra-when-you-play-golf#:~:text=Wearing%20a%20sports%20bra%20for,don%27t%20have%20big%20boobs
Where do you start?
STEP 1
In one word, black. Similar to the popular “Little Black Dress”. Every woman should invest in a high quality black skort, shorts or pants. This staple allows for endless options to pair with it. Whether you like a simple solid top or a bright & loud patterned top, it makes for easy matching. Purchasing this piece is a worthwhile investment as it will me durable & long lasting for multiple seasons (or even offer great resale value). There are multiple style choices from a belted look, pull up style, different lengths, pleated, ruffled etc. Personally, I like a pull-up skort because it is forgiving (slight weight changes) and I am short, so it easier to find a perfect length skort than shorts.
STEP 2
Find that favorite brand. There are literally hundreds of brands out there and it seems sizing is different on all of them. Don’t be afraid to try on several until you find that is great fit for your body. It might be only one brand, or maybe it’s the majority, but remember the name(s). Most golf companies are consistent in their sizing. And when you shop online, size charts are just a google search away.
STEP 3
Now that you found a great bottom, add a few colored tops. Most brands make a basic sleeveless or short sleeve top in solid colors such as Navy, Red, Black, White Etc. These are quite easy to find on sale or resale (like Mulligal.com). Pick your favorite colors.
STEP 4
Now the fun part begins. Think about your day-to-day styles that you love. Are they bright & colorful? Classic? Flashy? Subdued? Regardless there are golf clothes to match that style. Perhaps this is an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone & try something new!
- Remember that favorite brand you found? Start there. Look for tops that have multiple colors in them so you will have choices of skorts to wear with them. There are great floral designs from Tail Activewear, PGA Tour, EP New York & Jofit. Stripes are another great option. Find patterns with vertical lines or multiple direction lines. Other geometric patterns are also fun. How about Polka Dots?
- Add a few skorts. This is where you can branch out. There are Floral designs, Plaids, Stripes, Polka Dots or even solid that is a great color. Have fun with this. Izod is known for it’s plaids, Jofit & Callaway love floral prints & Tail & Greg Norman offer just about everything.
Chrissy’s recommendations:
Curvy Girls
EP New York, Lopez & Lady Hagen all offer Plus sizes
Jofit is also a great option as they are stretchy & forgiving.
Tiny ladies….
Daily Sports, Puma, Under Armour, Nike & Jamie Sadock
Spitfire Petite by Amy Sport also makes great option.
Best brands for everyone…
Tail Activewear, Kinona, Adidas GGBlue universally fit most body types.
Bright & Colorful…
Loudmouth makes a bold statement, Jamie Sadock has fun patterns and details like zippers, rivets & other decorative metals. B-Skinz skorts are available in every pattern imaginable.
For the younger set…
Taylor Jordan, Calliope, Puma & Lululemon offer racerback collared tops. They, along with Nike, Lole, & Lucky in Love have shorter skorts & shorts.
Chrissy’s favorite fabrics – Kinona, their Italian fabric feels soft, smooth & cool to the touch. Ibkul’s patented material coverts perspiration to refrigerant, all while keeping you protected from the sun.
Now, where should you go with all of this knowledge? Easy answer is www.Mulligal.com We offer thousands of items in sizes 0-3X and over 100 brands.
WHY MULLIGAL?? Your one stop shop.
I use to love shopping on eBay & Poshmark for clothes. But, I always like things from separate buyers & ended up paying shipping many times. We take of that work for you. We also offer personal shopping in person & via Zoom/FaceTime.
Stay Tuned for Part II where I will talk about outerwear, headwear & golf shoes.
Questions? Contact Chrissy anytime at chrissy@mulligal.com