Women’s Golf Apparel. Then and Today.

Kristen Casey Co-founder of LemonRose Golf taking in the scenes and greens at Philadelphia Cricket Club for the Truist Championship.

Golf, as we all know, has always had a reputation for being rooted deep in tradition. The game itself, the courses we play on, and the clothing all come together to create a rich history that it's truly fascinating, if you ask me. From the meticulously kept greens to the etiquette that embodies every round, it's no surprise that the fashion around the game has always carried an air of formality.  Let's break it down and dive into some of those dress code traditions and how they've become a little more modern.  

It's exciting to see a recent shift in mindset that more women are blending that line between performance, personal style, and individuality while still respecting the game's timeless roots. 

Kristen Casey Co-founder of LemonRose Golf at The Union League Golf Course at Torresdale.

The Origins of Women's Golf Apparel

When women played golf in the late 19th and early 20th century they had to dress for the course almost the same as they would for a regular day at home. Long, floor length skirts, high neck blouses and wide brim hats were equally as common on and off the course. You think swinging a club is hard today? Try doing in a corset on a hot summer day! And that fabric was definitely not moisture wicking or odor resistant. 

By the 1920s and 1930s hemlines started to rise a little bit and knit sweaters paired with pleated skirts became more acceptable and prominent. The post- war era introduced sleeveless collared shirts, long shorts and coordinated two-piece outfits that still looked polished but added a bit more functionality.

The 1950s brought up the topic of waistlines. While some women opted for sack dresses (a short unwaisted dress that often narrowed at the hemline) others preferred to show off more of a figure in the silhouette of the dress. 

And then, in the 1960s women's golf was televised for the very first time! How exciting! Hemlines shortened even more and the “skort” made its first appearance. Comfort was at the forefront of female golf apparel for the first time and its purpose was to improve movement and swinging ability. Many women then chose loose and flowy garments.

As we moved into the 1970s and 80s, golf for women took on a preppier look. Bolder colors and patterns  took center stage- or should I say center of the fairway. Think high waisted pants, the introduction of belts, and even a shoulder pad here and there. 

Style preferences toned down in the 1990s, neutral colors and baggier fits were preferred but that didn't last long. By the early 2000s, women began to really push the limit on what had been traditionally accepted for so many years. Shorter brighter styles came back and comfort took precedence over tradition.

Fast Forward to Today

I love seeing how fashion in  this sport has evolved for women and I truly think each decade had such an influential effect on that. Seeing the transitions through the years and the ability and desire of women to express their personal style is so amazing.

Kristen Casey C0-founder of LemonRose Golf after a round of golf at Flourtown Country Club.

However, shopping for women's golf apparel today does not lend itself too much creativity. Yes, I know I've said this many times before but it's true.  In my opinion, we are still seeing a lot of those bright colors and patterns and silhouettes that look like a men's polo that has been shrunk down and made pink… or purple. We don't have many options to make our look truly OURS! (yet) There is still so much room for modernization on the course. There are brands out there that are attempting to make that change by creating clothing that parallels what is being worn off the course in everyday life, similar to what was introduced in the early 2000s, comfort and functionality over tradition. Tops that are slimmer and cropped, skorts and dresses that are shorter and pieces that are more casual than what we are used to seeing on the golf course. While I commend these brands for recognizing the need for more options I feel that some of them are forgetting the value that tradition in the sport. If you think about most other sports out there, very few are as traditional and historical as golf. Obviously, I think there is still so much we can do to make women feel elegant, luxe and modern while golfing, which is why we are excited for what's to come!

I bet you thought I was going to give away the secret, didn't you?  Not quite yet! Stay tuned. 

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