Discount lady golf apparel

Byline: Kim Mitchell

Okay, Gordon and Ian Buchanan of Scotland took it to the next level with their yellow, orange and blue pleated kilts at the Masters. Jesper Parnevik and his pants... well... words escape us. We applaud his bravado.

Yes, we know. Corporate is traditional. Golf is staid. Put them together and you end up with mega-conservative.

Still, plenty of customers (especially young customers) want something a little more fashion forward and - gasp - non-traditional. Maybe not kilts, exactly. But fun.

Shop around and you can find styling such as zip plackets, stretch knits, sporty piping, unique pocket placements, and mandarin collars that make up some of the more fashion-forward styles in golf.

Avenel, N.J.-based supplier Vantage Apparel has always had an eye for style and the company's 2005 golf pieces are touching on many of these new trends, says Gina Barreca, Vantage's director of marketing.

"There's an equal mix of luxury styles and youthful pieces that directly represents the population of players that golf attracts today," Barreca notes. "There's a lot to choose from."

For 2005 Vantage's new double mercerized smooth knit polo offers an upscale solid option and the company expanded its Vansport line of moisture management polos to include a jacquard option, a ladies polo and a long-sleeve mock.

Upscale styling is one thing, but be aware that some style trends may be too much for the average customer.

"For example, some of the golf apparel worn by PGA Tour professionals Charles Howell III and Parnevik wouldn't necessarily go over well in the office, and besides, few men can pull off that particular look," says Donna Nigro, president/owner of Crystal Springs, Miss.-based supplier, Crystal Springs Apparel.

Nigro notes that in days of yore many courses would not allow players on the course without a collared shirt. Tiger Woods and David Duval changed that with their wearing of short and long-sleeved mock turtlenecks.

"This trend seems widely accepted on the course and sometimes for corporate wear," Nigro adds. "But I have seen that style and look more as a casual business look more outside the office than in."

While golf shirt styling trends toward more traditional, outrageous color is kicking its way through the door in 2005.

New color introductions for Vantage include dusty purple, sage green, Dijon, aqua and apple green. At Ashworth, fireball reds, shasta purples, absolute blues, terracotta oranges, and oasis greens are all expected to be fantastic selling colors in 2005. Page & Tuttle sees color trends are also moving towards a more "retro" look with muted reds, blue and brown color tones.

And... brace yourself gentlemen... non-traditional colors like pink and lavender are taking off in men's retail.

"Can you believe that pink is the new black for men too?" says Ashworth's Kellie Claudio. "Now will that trend transcend into the corporate market? I doubt it," she says. "It takes us a little longer to catch up with trends."

Nigro thinks men should give the new colors a chance. "I know that some men will not wear a pink shirt at any time for any reason - I personally think it is a good color for a man," she says.

As an example Nigro recalls a recent excursion to a restaurant with several friends and her husband, who was wearing Crystal Springs style 6401 in pink.

"We were by the bar waiting for a table, when the bartender approached my husband and stated that another lady across the bar would like to buy him a drink. She said it was because she liked his shirt," Nigro recalls with a laugh. "I asked him to properly thank her and to let her know that his wife picked out his shirt."

For 2005, bright colors like mint green, pink and lilac are finding popularity, says Wayne Hsieh, of Irwindale, Calif.-based supplier WinnerMate Sportswear/Aureus.

However, the Aureus label is being circumspect about some of the more eye-popping colors. "Color trends in high fashion tend to trickle down to the golf market, so we plan to introduce some of these bolder colors as accents in our Fall 2005 line," Hsieh says.

Finally, don't discount fabrications with Spandex, warns Brent Uhl, senior merchandise manager for Atlanta-based Russell Artwear, which includes the JERZEES, Russell Athletic, Cross Creek, Three Rivers and Mossy Oak brands.

"Women understood the comfort of Spandex years ago, and now men are accepting stretch in their garments," Uhl says. "Primarily, Spandex makes the garment more comfortable but it also helps the garment to hold its shape and maintain its neat appearance throughout the day. Cross Creek's 7152 men's style has 3% Spandex and has subtle detailing on the placket, sleeves and collar. Both the fabric and the styling make this a very upscale, premium golf shirt."

In 2005, Cross Creek is introducing a new pima cotton shirt in a companion men's and women's style (Cross Creek styles 5581 and 5582).

JERZEES, one of the top-selling sportshirt brands in imprintable sportswear, has taken some cues from its higher-end Cross Creek line by modifying and updating some top Cross Creek styles, using the Cool Knit fabric, and offering them at a lower price. Uhl notes that texture and breathability are key selling points this season; with that in mind JERZEES is introducing two Cool Knit styles with fashionable details at the collar and cuffs for a premium, rich look without the upscale price.