Second-Half "Looks of the Year"

(All photos the property of Getty Images/The Associated Press/Reuters Pictures/ESPN etc.)

It's that time again...Time to present the KC's Looks of the Year - 2nd Half Edition. We're talking piles and piles of pima and polyester here. Cotton and wool, wool and cotton, these looks are gone, but not forgotten. (Beautiful, we know...) The second half of the season was a little disparaging apparel-wise, but there were some bright spots. An unexpected masterpiece was Tom Watson at Turnberry in iconic numbers from Polo and who could forget the ping-pong match of classic pieces at the Presidents Cup? Ryo Ishikawa and Ian Poulter kept our eyes popping as always and new additions Fowler and Lovemark gave us something to look forward to in Scottsdale. Anyways, let's get right into it. 

Nominee #1: Rory McIlroy. Dunhill. We love Rory, but he has struggled in the past with his dress. One thing we do like, however, is Rory never looks overdone - he's retained that "amateur" look. This, to us, is the most realistic pro outfit we've seen. Cotton-corduroy 5-pocket trousers and cashmere zip-neck - easy, comfortable, stylish. Look at the clean lines created down his side from such well-fitting stuff. We all should be dressing like this for fall golf. 

Nominee #2: Luke Donald. Madrid Masters. THIS is why MyJoys Icons were created. To me, this look is near perfection. 

Nominee #3: Greg Norman. Opening Ceremonies - The Presidents Cup. No one looked better in a suit that day then El Capitan, himself. 

Nominees #4 and #5: Tom Watson. Days 1 and 2, The British Open. The pinnacle of the 2009 apparel season were Polo's duds for Watson's historic run. The golf was fairly good, too. 

Nominees #6 and #7: United States Team. International Team. Saturday and Sunday at The Presidents Cup, respectively. Argyle was on fire in the Bay Area - Watching the evolution of these team looks is a real pleasure. Can't wait for Ryder Cup 2010. 

Nominee #8: Jamie Lovemark. Frys.com Open. It's all about the accessories and the fit here. It's a slight case of "what have you done for me lately," but this was a real favorite. 

Nominee #9: Will MacKenzie. PGA Championship. Camilo wore this JL shirt - one of my favorites I bought last spring - earlier in the year with an all-black ensemble. Willy chose a couple of the many multi-colored stripes (gray and white) on the shirt and paired slacks and belt accordingly. Classic example of JL. 

Nominee #10: Phil Mickelson. The Tour Championship. Phil gets a blue ribbon for this one.(The nipple shot is insignificant...I think.) Fantastic color polo paired with the very fine stripe trouser is sporty yet elegant. I could wear this on the course every day. 

We will follow this up, as always, with an Honorable Mention section. Looking forward to responses from you all...

-KC

Hard to Resist Caption...

(Photo the property of the Associated Press)

So did you hear about the tower they built in Shanghai? 

Yup...Erected in honor of Phil's ego.

Thigh Society?

(Photo the property of the Associated Press)

Tiger pumps iron...A LOT...so he has big thigh muscles. He uses this excuse for wearing extremely full-cut pants and we've heard he rarely attends fitting sessions for team events like the Presidents Cup. Really disappointing. I pictured him saying to the Elevee rep before the matches - "Just send me the usual, you know...a nice happy medium between MC Hammer and Barnum & Bailey..."

This shot does a great job of showing just how big the bottom openings are on Tiger's trousers. He could really go much slimmer throughout with some tapering down through the base and he'd look much taller and more striking out there on the fairways. It's one of those things that keeps us up at night - wanting to get the Greatest Player Ever into a pair of slacks that fits...I guess we're in the right business. Call us, Tiger.

-KC  

Personal Style

(Photos the property of Getty Images/The Associated Press/Reuters Pictures etc.)

Personal style is what keeps things exciting. Those little details that set us apart. Wearing pieces that anyone else might wear, but doing it in a unique way that reflects our personalities and tells everyone a little bit about us. Personal style is what you're noticing on a person when you can't figure out exactly what's so eye-catching, but damn, it works. Things like a favorite item or brand, color, thoughtful accessories, distinct fit, even an attitude or swagger - all play into personal style. I've had people ask me, "In a sea of golfers all wearing similar things, how can I have personal style?" Or, "How can I set myself apart from the khaki'd hordes?" Well, I can give advice and fashion tips until I'm blue in the face, but pictures and examples are always much more effective. 

Some of you will recall my particular fondness for the sleeve length on Jamie Lovemark's Nike polo shirts last weekend. Lovemark, to me, has a tremendous amount of personal style. Before turning pro he looked particularly stylish in a super trim Polo golf shirt, light blue trousers and a white belt. (Above.) For me, the fit of the items and the southern California attitude he exudes are what sets him apart. He hasn't lost that swagger, but has elevated his look to that of professional golfer. In his Nike duds, Lovemark mixes in a distinctive riveted belt and striped socks - sartorial statements you rarely see on Tour. This photo can also be found in the "Weekend Inspirations" post last Friday. 

Drew Weaver is another young player that oozes personal style. Drew is a bit of an old soul and it comes out in his dress. How many college golfers do you see so polished and put-together? He wowed at this year's US Open with his maturity on the course and off, but you can be sure that no one missed what he was wearing... You can also bet that 100 people called Ralph Lauren on Monday to find out where they could get that yellow and blue vest. Personal style makes these guys attractive to apparel manufacturers and Weaver is now outfitted by Polo. Rickie Fowler's signing with Puma has a lot to do with his serious talent, but probably more to do with his look, his attitude...hell, his hair...

Ian Poulter, for all the sh*t he takes, is a personal style poster-boy. No one does it like him. We may not all want to dress exactly like him, but he makes us think. "Would this work? Could I get away with that?" He inspires creativity. No one does it like Phil Mickelson: "I'm a bigger guy, but if Phil can get away with a trimmer shirt, ya know what, so could I..." 

Ryuji Imada. Camilo Villegas. Luke Donald. A million similarly-built young golfers can wear the exact same shirt and trousers as these guys, but what sets them apart are their own touches. Their uniqueness. 

As a junior golfer, I was always inspired by older teaching professionals. Their perfectly creased slacks, the beautiful shirts, the suntan, the wrinkles around the eyes. (See: Bob Ford, top.) I wanted to be just like them. They just had it. It is personal style and that is what keeps us smiling at the KC.  

 

We Weren't Shocked That...

(All photos the property of The Associated Press, Getty Images or Reuters Pictures)

-Ian Poulter won his first tournament in 2 years on Halloween weekend...Was anyone IJP for "All Hallows Eve?" That's the real question...

-AK beat Robert Allenby in the Volvo Match Play battle of he-said/he-said/boozy, curfew-ignoring allegations/frustration over getting whipped by a 24-year-old kid melodrama -- otherwise known as Vodkagate. 

-AK yawned his way to a 4-and- 3 loss to Ross Fisher in the final. Ross - who sees the words "match" and "play" in the same sentence and needs to change his skivvies - is quickly becoming a force in that particular format.  

-Phil continued experimenting on the clothing front, even venturing into the very "un-Phil" realm of pastel trousers. Something nice and light for the Singapore heat? Did anyone else think they looked like denim from far away? The horror...

-Adam Scott looked sharp in stripes at the Barclays. Someone please ink a major clothing deal with this guy. It's a bloody waste to see the Aussie logo-less.

-KC 

Slackers...

Only 5 comments on what your favorite golf pants are?! 

C'mon guys...

Help us out here...

For those that did weigh in, THANK YOU. 

-KC

Weekend Inspirations

The KC Wants to Know...

(From Top to Bottom: Polo RL, J. Lindeberg, Bills Khakis and RLX)

What pants do you wear the most to play golf and why? If you're hopelessly hungover, late for your tee time and questioning your very existence, what are the pants draped casually over a chair or in the closet that you'll reach for without so much as a thought? Could be the fit, could be the details, could be the way you think they make your ass look when you address that fairway wood shot and the cart girl is looming. All are acceptable.  

Please DO NOT be shy, anonymous comments are fine, but WE WANT TO KNOW. 

Thanks 

-KC

(My favorite is a pair of Hugo Boss stretch cotton khakis I picked up in Charleston, SC about 4 years ago. I've worn the absolute crap out of them and they just get softer and softer.) 

Where Fashion Sits?

(Photo the property of The Associated Press)

There is some argument over who stated that 'a picture is worth a thousand words,' but no altercation involving the absolutely perfect proportions in this shot of AK. The trouser sits nicely on the shoe - "sittin' on the swish" as I kiddingly refer to it. I know it's a Nike swoosh, but it sounds much better when I sing it that way. Yes, I said 'sing...' 

Meanwhile, the sleeves are, for my taste, perfect. It's so satisfying to witness a complete look that fits so well and is pleasing to the eye. Usually the shirt works, but the pants suck or the pants are nice and the polo is billowy, etc. Everything is in a nice little package here proportionally.  

A lot of companies blast you with color like a finger-painting kindergartner, demanding "Look what we did!" - but forget all about how the garment wears and sits. Now, I'm not in love with these Nike items, styling-wise, but you simply cannot deny the fit. I guess that's where fashion sits...Hmm?

-KC

Slow and Trendy Wins the Race?!

The European Tour's equivalent of the FedEx Cup is the season-long Race to Dubai, which wraps in several weeks. In commemoration of the event, companies like Ralph Lauren and Puma have designed limited edition apparel and accessories that showcase the RTD logos.

The coolest, in our opinion, are the Puma Swing Crown GTXs pictured above - available only from your pals at Trendygolf.com.

Done in white and silver - with blue lining and the Dubai skyline on the heel - these bad boys are sure to stand out at the club. Geoff Ogilvy, Johan Edfors and the rest of the fellas will be sporting these at the European Tour's finale, November 19-22 in Dubai.

Sneaker-heads who happen to be golfers are going to be into items like this and we're glad to see companies recognizing that. Puma definitely goes for that edgier demographic and tries to incorporate a streetwear feel to their golf collection. This kind of attitude is especially popular in Europe...and with Rickie Fowler having a big weekend, Puma is looking pretty strong on US soil as well.

You could go as far as saying we're pretty bullish on the Cat right now...

-KC

Sleeving Las Vegas?

(Photo the property of The Associated Press)

Did anyone else like how Jamie Lovemark's Nike golf shirts fit? Super trim and we loved the sleeve length. Perfect for a young guy. 

As far as the headline, it was actually Arizona, but who's counting? 

-KC

JL S/S 2010 Preview

(Lookbook photos the property of J. Lindeberg)

It's all in the details for JL spring/summer '10 gear. The Trevone pant and Tivone short feature contrast pick-stitching along the pocket with a strip of matching fabric lining the pockets. Very cool and totally unique in the golf market.

 

They've also redone two of our favorite JL warhorses - the Lachlan and the Lewis - in cotton instead of polyester, which is always a preferable change for us purists.

We're also really digging the color schemes. Love that electric blue running rampant through the collection (the bold stripe sweater pictured above is a personal favorite) and its powdery blue counterpart. The bright red and the cruise green/softer green combinations are bold and sophisticated. The several shades of brown keep things grounded; while whites, grays and blacks are expected and work to fill the bottom end.  

With continually great clothing and the addition of their new golf shoe, JL is looking head-to-toe-tough heading into next year. What else should we expect from the company that started this whole 'modern golf style' thing?

Shop JL at Trendygolf or the JL US Webstore. 

-KC 

6 hours in Cary, NC - Peter Millar Spring/Summer 2010 Preview

When the kind folks at Peter Millar were generous enough to extend the invitation to their office/showroom/warehouse in Cary, NC to hang out and preview the new 2010 stuff, I happily obliged. First of all, I hadn't been to the Carolinas since a brief stint living in Charleston and secondly, PM happens to be one of my favorite lines out there - I love the philosophy that Chris Knott has about clothing and I like being around a team that has a real passion for what they do. 

At PM they toss around phrases like "easygoing affluence," "attainable luxury" and "prestigious without being pretentious" - but they mean it.  These guys are all about their customer living the good life and creating the best quality clothing made of the finest materials that can be had - all with a carefree and very Southern mentality that consistently reminds us all to slow down; that life is to be enjoyed. 

PM clothing has that Italian sensibility for form and function and those same blasts of color that inspired Knott in 2001 when he sought out to create a cashmere sweater collection that stood apart. Add that to the mantra that beautiful clothing can be indicative of your success and station without being obnoxious and you have the winning philosophy that PM has ridden for the past 8 years, as their collection has grown to a truly lifestyle brand - encompassing the entire men's wardrobe from tailored suiting to boxer shorts. 

But now that the pleasantries are out of the way...a few things I did while in Cary. 

-Learned about the naming process for PM's outerwear styles and shirt colors...Hint: it's not that technical. Your favorite jacket for fall 2010 may be the namesake of a popular grilled sandwich. 

-Got shat on by a bird while eating pulled pork nachos in downtown Raleigh. ("It's good luck!" - says Millie, PM's Marketing Director.)

-Heard from Scott that PM has recently inked a deal with NBC to provide clothing to their announcing teams for golf and a few other special programs, which means Johnny, Dan and the boys will be looking a lot better next season. Maybe we'll see something besides a navy blazer or sport coat - For JM, let's bring back those glen-plaids and houndstooths of his youth. 

-Found out that tracking down a size Small in the giant PM warehouse is like looking for Tiger Woods at a Target. 

-Got excited when Chris got into his pitch about PM's new "tailored" distinction as an additional option in sizing and styling on selected polos and trousers, which will trim the silhouette down significantly. Look for that in Fall 2010. 

As far as the spring 2010 offerings, I'm loving the sun-washed collection of polos and pants, a few of the new shoe offerings (bit drivers in very Milanese colors and great looking boat shoes) and the genuine crocodile belts. (All pictured above.) As always, you can expect fantastic sweaters in various styles and the softest cotton golf shirts in the game.

Peter Millar knows and loves its' customer. The company's ability to keep making quality clothing that reflects current market demand while sticking to what has made them what they are is one of their greatest strengths. 

Thanks to Chris, Scott, Millie, Mike, Marcus and the rest of the team for a great day in NC.

-KC 

Closet Case: Ian Poulter

(Photo the property of Getty Images)

We're slightly color blind after a quick go 'round in Ian's closet, courtesy of FootJoy.com. The session in the garage is just staggering, with all those custom Icons. FootJoy treats Poults very, very well - and vice versa of course, as Ian takes a moment to plug FootJoy's new MyJoy program for the flagship shoe. Quick turnaround time for custom shoes? Now that's something to be rosy about...Kind of makes us think of Ian's Valentine's Day-hued, pink and red, Icon wingtips. Will there be more heartbreak for Ian in 2010 or will he bust through for a Tour win? Only time will tell...

-KC

Monday Makeover: Spencer Levin

(Photo the property of The Associated Press)

Spencer had a lot of attitude when he burst on the scene in the 2004 US Open at Shinnecock. The little dude had steam coming out of his ears after a poor putt, chain smoking and wowing crowds with impressive shotmaking on golf's toughest setup. You'd think that as a pro, the charisma he displayed in that oversize visor and flipped collar would translate to a personal style second-to- none. Well, at JT's Shriners event in Vegas, the only thing stylish about Spencer was his first round 62 - his clothing was the fashion equivalent of a big, wet divot. 

His trousers appear to be garden variety khakis and they fit pretty horribly. Spencer is slight enough to wear a slim golf trouser and look really sharp. Last I knew, he was wearing Dunning, but he's in Adidas here so maybe things are currently up in the air. In any event, he needs to visit a decent tailor or pick up an off-the-peg, trimmer pair like JL's Nicolas or RLX's Green pant. 

The whole look is bland and lacks punch - inject some much-needed color with a bold shirt or texture with a patterned/striped dark trouser. 

Spencer is a 20-something in a old man's gaucho belt. It looks like he picked it up at on the discount rack at Larry's Golf Universe. Get that man a thicker and more youthful offering - if he's with Adidas now, they should have him in the "3-stripe" silver buckle - he needs to be wearing a belt like eventual winner, Martin Laird. (59 Belts, Scottish Flag)

Bottom Line: Friends don't let friends wear bad clothes. Spencer, call us, buddy. The KC is always open. No need to drop the ball on your wardrobe choices next time...(Yes, that's an alternate headline for the above photo.)