The History of Men's Golf Apparel
- Some evidence suggests that a sport similar to golf was played in ancient Rome and China as far back as the 1st century BC. Modern golf, however, originated in the Scottish highlands. Thus, golf clothing reflected the fashion of the time. Men wore tight short pants that fastened under the knee. These were derived from the English-style knee breeches. Often the colors and patterns reflected those that were popular in the Scottish highlands such as argyle or tartan. Men often also wore tweed jackets.
- In the late 19th century, male golfers wore long sleeved button-up shirts that allowed for a greater range of movement than tweed jackets. Knee-high pants were still popular, but they were fuller around the thigh and were tucked into knee-high boots or long colorful socks. Tweed caps were also popular during this period.
- During the 1920's, professional golfers began to attempt to distinguish themselves from amateur golfers. They wore two-toned shoes, highly starched shirts and ties. On particularly cold days, male golfers wore knitted cardigans or v-neck sweaters.
- During the 1930's men's golf attire transitioned because men started going to play golf directly after work. Because of this, the colors and patterns of their clothing became less vibrant. Men also typically wore flannel trousers that were more lightweight and comfortable than tweed or heavier weaves.
- During the 1940's, men began to wear short-sleeved knit shorts, which provided even more range of motion. They also adopted a waist length jacket that was bulky in the shoulders so as not to inhibit a golf swing. Shorts also became acceptable during this period.
- Since the 1940's, shorts have become very popular on the golf course and have appeared in numerous vibrant colors and patterns. Polo shirts are also a popular staple. Today, most golf courses have a dress code that requires a collared shirt and khakis.
