Women’s Golf Fashion: Then And Now

There have been many changes to women’s style since they were welcomed to the world of golf. From long, uncomfortable and impractical skirts, to the golf skorts and Bermuda shorts we know and love today. Here is a glimpse of ladies golf fashion over the past century or so.

When females were finally allowed on the golf course in the United States in the 1800′s, the majority of their clothing was impractical and overly stylish; it began by mimicking the street fashion of the day. At the end of the 1800′s, long skirts and fashionable blouses were worn on the golf course, as it was (and still is) seen as a social event. The length and materials of ladies golf clothing hindered their game, which slowly spurned along further changes in attire.

The turn of the century arrived with the famous Burberry pattern adorning an adjustable length skirt and matching jacket. This outfit was commonplace on the golf course for about a decade or so, but as skirts began to shorten on the streets, ladies golf fashion followed suit. Jersey material surfaced for shirts and skirts, and two piece golf dresses found their way to the market. The “Shirtmaker” was introduced during this time, and many women wore it on and off the course. It was simply a standard golf shirt sewn to a skirt.

Golf skorts finally found their way onto the green in the mid 1960′s. Though a knee-length skirt was more common, and more “proper,” the range of movement available with a skort was unmistakable. These early skorts were just above the knee, and provided female golfers with their first stepping stone of equality of attire on the course.

These days, women’s golf pants, shorts, skorts, and skirts are common, and you would be hard-pressed to find anyone with knee-length golf skirts. At the turn of the century, Lycra golf and tennis dresses showed up, while Bermuda shorts, khakis and bright polo shirts made a new splash in the dress code. Stipulations for women’s golf attire as fallen away almost entirely, and the golf course is a place for men and women to find equal footing in equally comfortable and practical attire. However, it is not recommended to don your favorite blue jeans, or anything that you may also deem comfortable enough to wear while catching your nightly Z’s.

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