Smooth Entrance- Interview with Devereux Golf

 One of my favorite things about the first of the year in the golf apparel industry is there is usually a fresh new company that comes onto the scene and captures the attention of us golf fashion gurus.  I like seeing a new collection and get excited to see how its launch plays out.  It doesn't always fair well though.  A couple of years ago a company called Evan Golf previewed at the PGA Merchandise Show and I was instantly obsessed.  Too bad I never had the opportunity to own a single piece from their collection as Evan Golf is still "in the process of establishing a selective channel of retailers." Sigh.  On the other end hand, sometimes a new face hits the golf apparel world and makes an immediate impact.  Such is the case with Devereux - Proper Threads. 

Devereux is the name of creator Robert Brunner's grandmother and the namesake of this fine label.  The family ties continue as the company is also ran by older brother, and director of operations, Will Brunner.  Robert's sister Claire also aides in the operational efforts.  What makes this label, ran by a family from Fort Worth, Texas, so different?  Robert and Will share their thoughts below, and you will see how their influence would easily make for a successful venture.  I'll tell you one thing, Devereux has made a smooth entrance into the industry by instantly capturing the attention of connoisseurs of stylish and quality golf apparel.  I absolutely love the Devereux look and was immediately intrigued. It is clean and attractive but also current.  Check out what the guys have to say and take a look at the Devereux collection here.    

Name: Robert Brunner 

Title: Creative Director/Designer - Devereux

Why do you do what you do?  

Have you ever felt so strongly about one thing?  Have you felt that you can make a difference about that one thing?  I can answer YES to these two questions and that is why I do what I do.  I have passion for fashion design and golf.  I believe my vision and design can make a difference in this market.

What looks good/makes a golfer stand out on the golf course?

Proper fit of his/her clothing and the dapperness of the outfit.  Everyone has their own sense of style, it is part of their personality, but the way to draw positive attention is if your clothes fit and you look well put together.

What should not be worn on the golf course?

Besides anything that is not deemed appropriate for the course, I would say two or more loud pieces.  By this I mean you can wear one loud shirt with a mellow bottom or vice versa.  If you are wearing two loud items then you are trying to hard.  Try leaving the plaid at home - the 90s and early 2000s are exhausted.

Describe your personal golf apparel style:

I like for my clothes to fit properly.  I have a very refined and tailored look.  Slim fit pants, proper fitting Devereux shirt and of course, I have to include the flat bill hat.  The flat bill hat plays into my youthfulness and carefree attitude.

Why is attention to golf fashion important?

I think in anything you do in life you should look good.

To Quote Deion Sanders  “If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good.”

I feel like attention to your on-course fashion will give you confidence to play better.

Tell us something interesting about you we may not know: 

This was a question I answered every time for the first day of all my fashion classes.  I have a Bachelor of Science in Geology.

Name: Will Brunner

Title: Older Brother and Director of Operations - Devereux

What inspired the creation of your brand? 

Mens fashion has evolved significantly over the last few years, and there was a noticeable void in the evolution of golf apparel.  Though the game itself has grown immensely over the past decade, the apparel sector has stayed fairly stagnant, especially with the recent rise in men's fashion.  This void, coupled with our love of the game, brought us to where we are today.

What looks good/makes a golfer stand out on the golf course?

Two-under always looks good and will make a golfer stand out especially if they are consistent.  But for apparel, it is the creative elegance a golfer is able to put together.  If a golfer is well put together, then there is an aurora, an automatic quiet confidence, that he exudes on the course.  

What should not be worn on the golf course?

Everyone has their own style.  If you feel comfortable in what you are wearing, then go ahead and wear it.  My brother always says that if you are comfortable, then you are not killing it (style).  It's fun to push the envelope with fashion, just don't get too crazy and take it too far.  If people are constantly looking at you, then you have done something wrong.

Why is attention to golf fashion important?

Attention to golf fashion is important because men's fashion has changed significantly. We have created a brand that is fresh and is able to set itself apart without being to loud and over the top.  You can easily spot a player that knows how to dress because he is well tailored with a sophisticated style.  Those two characters will transcend into the way he carries himself.

Describe your brand’s style:

The Devereux style is a fresh, modern, fashion-forward take on golf apparel.  It's for the golfer that appreciates the finer things in life, but never takes himself to seriously.  For the socialite, but the one with a quiet confidence.

Why should golfers buy your brand?

Devereux offers a modern fit, which is not considered a slim fit or a regular fit.  We ride right in between the two.  Our fit is something that we pride ourselves on. A lot of time and effort was spent nailing down the perfect Devereux fit.  

We also do not skimp on quality or attention to detail.  We use Pima Cotton in both our Jersey and our Pique polo shirts.  Pima Cotton is a high end natural fiber that has longer staple and softer hand than other cottons on the market.  

We also use a Baby Alpaca / Pima Cotton blend in our sweaters.  Baby Alpaca comes from soft fine hair from the underbelly of an Alpaca.  We choose to blend Baby Alpaca and Pima Cotton and the result is an extraordinary hand as well as a superb insulate and we are able to do this all while keeping the sweater light weight.

What does the future hold for your brand? 

I have never been good a predicting the future.  We have had a great deal of success in the very short time we have been a brand and are much further than where I thought we would have been six months ago.  It is fun to see how appreciative and accepting all the clubs and resorts have been towards our brand and, to watch the success they are having amongst their patrons.  There are a lot of exciting things happening at Devereux right now, and some pretty cool stuff coming out in the near future, especially in our Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 collections.

Shop Devereux

Poppin' Pincords

It is officially Spring.  Easter has just past.  It is time to liven up your golf wardrobe with a few items that resemble an enticing flower garden in full bloom.  Because it's Spring!  Pastel can be scary for some men, but turn up the color palette just a notch between blah and Blixt (bold Puma Golf) and you have the Spring '14 collection from Oxford Golf.  Oxford's new line infuses appropriately bright colors and new styles to bring golfers out of their winter hibernation. Included are new Pima Cotton polos made with a bio polish finish to reduce fading and thread pulling, as well as, great spring layering pieces and sweaters.  My favorite picks from this collection are the Ross Pincord Shorts in eight colors and the matching stretch braided Cavan Belt that comes in 18 festive colors.  These two items allow you to pull off the preppy seersucker look, while meeting your performance needs.      

 

 

The Stirling polo with the flat front, microfiber shorts is shown below. Have I mentioned I am obsessed with PURPLE for Spring/Summer 2014?!  The Stirling polo has four thin stripes that look solid from far away. Oxford says this is David Tom’s favorite polo from the Spring ’14 pieces and had Oxford send him all of the available colors.

 

PGA Tour Player Nick Thompson is wearing the Louth Argyle vest below in Pacific Surf. It’s a really cool argyle with a tonal heathered/solid pattern. The vest is 100% Combed Cotton and also comes in Island Green. The shirt underneath is the Wellington Polo. 

Here Thompson is wearing the Navan golf sweater. It has a quarter zip and is made of 100% combed cotton with a diamond raker pattern. This sweater also comes in Atlantic Blue and Purple Coast. 

  

Check out the entire Oxford Golf collection here.

In Your Face Augusta!

Despite what you have heard, not everything the eye can see at the Masters is pristine. There are a few patrons donning "in your face" golf apparel that will immediately affirm that you are not actually IN Heaven.  I was able to capture shots of several said patrons (Please see below) so that everyone would have the chance to "appreciate" the display.  However, this got me thinking.  What is the appeal of wearing such crazy/wacky/loud, golf apparel anyway?!  I  have never been attracted to the Loudmouth Golf style, made famous by John Daly. (I cannot verify that all pants/shorts seen below are Loudmouth Golf brand)  So, since I am biased against the look, I decided to reach out to my Twitter followers (@KaraKoo) and find out why golf fans like or dislike the familiar audacious apparel line.

"Love all my Loudmouth pants, hats & shirts. Never play without them, I get compliments on every course!" - @greggv728

"They (Loudmouth) fit me better than any other golf clothes I have tried!" - @jfarhood

"Loudmouth rocks.  Go loud or go home!" - @Michael_King09

"They (Loudmouth) aren't for me. Don't want the 'I just escaped from a circus' look when I play golf." - @wesleywhamond

"Over priced and too crazy. Reminds me of Scott Hochs Tabasco Sauce clothing line." - @mrieger72

"High quality and very comfortable pants, on top of a unique look. I like to at least look good when I don't play well." - @westcoastwilleh

Great feedback! My personal take is that Loudmouth faithful seem to portray that it is permissible for older guys, or those who should avoid drawing any more attention to their "problem areas" as we females like to call them, to wear this overstated look.  It comes across very obnoxious and attention-seeking, rather than adding true style and uniqueness.  BUT, who am I to squash a guy's opportunity to have fun and get noticed for a day? 

Check out Loudmouth Golf and decide for yourself if you will be their next LOUDEST fan! 

   

Why Wear Ordinary Polos?!

There is a fine line between fun and unique, and tacky.  British golf apparel company, Bunker Mentality, is typically on-point with their funky, yet attractive, designs.  Bunker Mentality's goal is to "create new traditions and future classics in golf apparel." Their polos have a modern and fashion forward spirit for people who love golf and have a different mentality. This label takes inspiration from popular culture and trends and 'golfizes' the look.  As a matter of fact, I told Bunker Mentality just the other day that if anyone could create a great looking Hawaiian print golf polo it was them.  They were quick to let me know that the design was already in process, of course.  In case you don't follow fashion, Hawaiian print is currently hot on the scene.  So it came as no surprise that this hip golf apparel provider is keeping up.   

Check out some of Bunker Mentality's stylish polos below and click here to shop.  Shipping on US orders over $100 are free and only $15 otherwise.  Get in the right frame of mind and wear something fun for a change! 

Racing Stripe Playa Polo - White

 

Tour Stripes Playa Polo - Hot Pink/Black

Front 9 Polo Black / Red

 

CMax Golfadelic Black Polo

 

CMax Golf Star Polo - Yellow

CMax Golf Star Polo - Blue

Visit Bunker Mentality

Go Green!

It's Spring, it's St. Patrick's Day, and the Masters is 25 days away.  It is time to pull out the green golf apparel.  Green is a classic staple on the golf course, and it looks good on everyone.  Check out a few of the options below and go green!

Abacus Sportswear
Abacus always brings a big game to the golf style competition.  The white/black/emerald green "Hanford" polo pairs well with the subtle emerald check "Cleek" golf shorts.  Fairwaystyles.com carries a good selection of Abacus Sportswear for you to browse, including the these lovely gems.     

Aristo 18
If you have never heard of Aristo 18, consider this your invitation to take notice.  This luxury golf apparel collection features the finest classic natural-fiber fabrics and elegant, sophisticated designs.  Fabrics, including Pima cotton and royal alpaca from Peru, as well as, superfine cashmere and Italian merino wool, are tailored to set an unprecedented benchmark for quality, value, and performance.  Shown below is the "Delvin" Coolmax polo and "Bellingham" super twill shorts in "verde."  Fairwaystyles.com also showcases a nice supply of Aristo 18.

adidas
No introduction needed for this powerhouse.  adidas always has a little green up their ClimaCool sleeves.  This may be to keep a supply on hand for PGA Tour ambassador William McGirt, who wears his lucky Irish green during Sunday rounds.  Seems Will might be onto something, a style that looks good...and brings good luck! Find green adidas polos like the Puremotion 2 color stripe jersey or the Puremotion solid jersey.

QED Style on the Mike

It's easy enough to walk into your local golf retailer and snag a few Nike polos or adidas shorts and call it a day.  Every now and then, it doesn't hurt to check out a golf apparel collection designed for quality and unique style.  Actually, it feels good and looks good too.  Take a moment to get acquainted with the charming founder of QED Style, Mike McRae (good stuff below).  Then browse the QED collection and invest in something new for a change.  Speaking of new, I just previewed a few new QED items that will be available this spring.  Hot looking apparel!  

Name: Mike McRae

Title: Founder - QED Style           

Why do you do what you do? 

I have a very artistic and creative family.  My dad has been a commercial photographer for over 30 years and is an incredible artist.  My mom can take anything and make it beautiful, whether it is fashion, painting or cooking.  Golf has been a passion of mine since I was 8 years old.  It provided me with a great education at St. Mary’s and the ability to travel the world in attempts to make the PGA Tour.  QED Style allows me to integrate two pillars in my life each and every day. 

Tell us something interesting about you we may not know: 

Growing up in Utah, the outdoors are a huge part of my life.  I love to ski, hike, fish and camp.  If QED ever gets into fragrances, there will be definitely be a hint of campfire and whiskey in there. 

What looks good/makes a golfer stand out on the golf course? 

Just be yourself.  People trying to stand out often annoy rather than attract.  Embracing who you are is a very rare quality.  Develop a style that mirrors your personality and people will be drawn to you.

What should not be worn on the golf course? 

The common answer would be jeans, but I once got my ass handed to me by a guy wearing torn jeans and a tank top.  I’ve thought he was a stud ever since.  Just be yourself and respect dress code when it exists.  

Describe your personal golf apparel style:  

I’m a subtle flash kind of guy.  I don’t like anything loud, but I want you to know that I’m present.  This is usually done with small details and intended coloring. 

Describe your brand’s style: 

QED will continue look at its competitors and be educated in its industry, but our focus is to offer items you wont find anywhere else.  I am frequently overwhelmed by the selection of most apparel brands.  All I see is the same shirt a thousand times over.  I enjoy how much thought and detail is put into our apparel.  Being small has it’s advantages.  We can’t really afford to come out with an item that isn’t special.  

What inspired the creation of your brand? 

As a young professional, I grew tired of the traditional golf look.  God forbid I go out wearing what I wore on the course!  Something that is truly stylish can be worn anywhere.  Why can’t we design stylish clothing first then apply golf dress code and functionality afterwards? 

Why should golfers buy your brand? 

People look really good in QED.  Straight forward but true.  I don’t know what it is.  Rarely does someone try on a QED polo and is not impressed with how they look.  I can pretty much guarantee a member of your foursome will ask about your shirt the next time you go out in one of ours.

Why is attention to golf fashion important? 

I recently read that the golf industry is now generating over 100 billion dollars annually across the globe.  Golf is not only a sport but a social activity and business setting.  Knowing how to dress can help give the right impression and open a lot of doors!

Does your brand sponsor any professional golfers? 

Yes.  We have a great team of guys.  Our 2014 team should consist of about 5 guys on the web.com tour and about another 5 on other worldwide tours.  I know all of these guys personally, and I can say we have a quality group of guys.

What are the characteristics of a good apparel sponsor partnership? 

First, the player should like the apparel.  That may sound ridiculous, but I am shocked at how many players aren’t fond of their attire, which means the player might not enthusiastically represent the brand.  Second, the player is really partnering with the brand.  So hopefully the player embraces the brand, and visa versa.

 

What does the future hold for your brand?

I am encouraged every day with the growing interest and support for QED.  We’ll be unveiling our 2014-2015 line and introducing some women’s pieces this spring.  We’re a young company with a big vision.  Hopefully we can stay true to ourselves and remember what we learned from the day before.