Lifestyle Apparel- A Guide to "Outside the Ropes" Style


What to wear?  Your weekend tee time has come and gone.  It’s time to shower and head to dinner and some evening entertainment.  Picture in your mind what you will wear.  Please tell me you are not heading to your closet to grab a fresh adidas golf polo and tossing on a black pair of Nike Dri Fit pants for the night.  Your round of golf is over, my friend.  You must leave your golf apparel for the golf course, and have a selection of causal lifestyle pieces for these occasions.  That is correct.  Golf clothing is technical, performance apparel and is not meant to be a multi-purpose solution for every day.  What you wear matters.  It is important to make the effort to ensure your clothing looks good, no matter where you are headed off to.  Ahem…dinner and evening activities are the number one opportunity you have to impress your wife, girlfriend or future girlfriend.  If you can’t take this seriously, that is a whole other conversation.


Depending on the dress code for the event, or establishment you will be visiting for the night, you can likely get away with wearing denim.  (A dark rinse is usually considered less casual.)  However, a nice pair of chinos, twills or even corduroys will sharpen your style.  Toss on a sports jacket for a nice dinner, and if the weather is chilly layer a dress coat over it.  The “two coat layer” is a hot trend right now in menswear.  Pair outer layers with a henley shirt or classic button down (the denim dress shirt is currently a popular choice), and possibly add a tie.  For an alternate look, exchange the sports coat for a cardigan sweater.  See where I am going with this?  No Travis Matthew T- Shirt, and no plaid shorts.   
To give you some ideas of where to start on your lifestyle apparel shopping spree, below are a few great designers to check out.  Most of these labels carry an excellent line of golf apparel, too.  A couple even have a presence on the PGA Tour, and one is the creation of a former tour pro from Texas.   So, rest assured, we are keeping this all in the golf family. 

Mizzen + Main: Dress Shirts

There is little not to love about Mizzen + Main.  The breathable, moisture wicking, wrinkle free material used in Mizzen + Main dress shirts is sheer joy to the touch.  Check out the “Falmouth Plum Gingham Dress Shirt.”  Also, Mizzen + Main donates a percentage of all shirt sales to wounded veterans and their families.  


Criquet: Polos, Layering Pieces

Criquet is a product of the "hip-by-nature" city of Austin, Texas.  Made from 100% organic cotton, these polos are both soft and classically stylish.  A must-purchase is the “Long Sleeve Players Shirt” that can be layered over a shirt and tie and paired with a pair of great jeans.  Plus, you might as well snag a “Vintage Stripe Players Shirt” too for a simple, laid-back look.


Alial Fital: Dress Polos

You will not go wrong with any polo from Alial Fital.  Designed by former NFL quarterback Gibran Hamdan, and worn by Bo Van Pelt on the PGA Tour, these shirts are truly a unique look combined with a perfect fit.  Alial Fital is quite possibly my favorite polo on the market.  They cannot design their ladies polos fast enough for me.  Snag you a “Push Polo!" It is a long sleeve shirt that allows you to push up the sleeves while still revealing the fabulously created cuff. Smart. 
Check Out Alial Fital

Bonobos: Pants, Jeans, Blazers, Cardigans, Ties

I have been told by a fellow apparel guru, that Bonobos jeans are some of the best he has ever owned.  They also offer a wide variety of nice corduroys and twill pants.  The Nottingham or Chino blazer would be a great add to your closet.  Bonobos has a few nice cardigans and ties, as well. 

Check Out Bonobos

IZOD: All Items

I have literally sent so many snap shots of IZOD items to guys for suggested purchases, I could pass for one of their sales associates.  IZOD is not only affordable and great looking, but they offer items to fit every apparel need.  IZOD is worn by Webb Simpson and Scott Piercy on the PGA Tour. 

Uniqlo: All Items

If you are on a budget, knock out some basic purchases from Uniqulo.  Never heard of it? This Japanese company is an international apparel provider that believes their clothes are simple yet universal.  Ever head of Adam Scott?  This Masters champion wears Uniqulo on the golf course.  If it is good enough for him, it should be good enough for you.

Check Out Uniqlo

Cole Haan- Shoes

Failure to complete a look with a pair of sleek shoes is a mistake that must be avoided.  Cole Haan offers a wide variety of high quality shoes that will get you stepping in the right direction.  Consider a pair of loafers, boots or Lunar Grand Wingtips.   

Check Out Cole Haan


Francis Edward Leather: Belts & Accessories

Francis Edward is brought to you by former PGA Tour professional, Dallas resident and all around great guy, Paul Stankowski.  The leather business is a new venture for Stankowski, but I assure you, he has an excellent product that should entice you and will definitely earn you some style points.


Piedmont Leather Co: Belts & Accessories

You want to really knock the fancy argyle socks off your fashion conscious buddies?  You must have a gander (a long one) at Piedmont Leather Co.  Specializing in exotics, Piedmont never ceases to amaze with their one-of-a-kind designs.  Tour pro Bo Van Pelt also wears Piedmont Leather belts and accessories with his Alial Fital polos.  Piedmont Belts start at $139, but the impression you make with these belts will be priceless. 

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