Swing State: Colorado Golf Fashion

Colorado companies score with golf clothes and accessories.

By Suzanne S. Brown

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WEARING THE PANTS

A golfer’s tools are many—from gloves and tees to balls, repair tools and ball markers. And let’s not overlook that range-finding smartphone, pencil and scorecard. Frequent golfer and Roaring Fork Realtor Greg Didier likes to walk the course and got tired of fumbling for these things in his pockets. Two years ago, he set out to build a better pair of golf pants. After making some sketches and enlisting the help of friends in the apparel world, fabrics were tested, samples created and Caddy Slacks (see above video) were born. Available in four colors as shorts, $89, and pants, $110, the design has loops for tees, a ball marker magnet, a sticky patch for a glove, a ball pocket and side pockets for his phone and scorecard. caddyslacks.com

THE EYES HAVE IT

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When Rebecca and Bret Milner named the first sunglass style in their company Link after their son Lincoln in 2014, they were also giving a nod to golf and the fact that the specs were perfect for the sport. Monument-based Epoch Eyewear is now sold in more than 6,500 locations and the line includes dozens of glasses that come in a variety of frames and lens styles, most of which sell for $20 to $30. ANSI-safety ratings, polarized lenses and such features as inlaid rubber enhance performance and fit. While such styles as the Link and Bravo half frames appeal to men, Epoch has started adding women’s designs like an aviator called the Emerson, named for—who else?—the Milners’ daughter. epocheyewear.com

WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WEAR AND WOW

Sport Haley (above) and Bette & Court (below) are among Colorado’s legacy women’s golf fashion brands, having survived decades of business and fashion cycles. Cathy Blair, president and creative director of the Lakewood-based companies, continues to ensure their collections—which now include figure-flattering SlimSation pants and tops—are full of prints, performance fabrics and what she calls the “wow factor.” This spring, look for dresses, as well as athleisure looks that fit in at the gym as easily as they do on the course or around town, and such novel fabrics as foil prints. Most items are $54-$99. sporthaley.com

TIPS O’ THE HAT

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”300″ identifier=”B01A7QXQ9S” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51PJYE2b8TL.jpg” tag=”coloradoavidg-20″ width=”322″]
[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”250″ identifier=”B0793BL8PF” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51d%2BCBz2XTL.jpg” tag=”coloradoavidg-20″ width=”250″]Guys who wear a brimmed hat are bringing a little bit of Bing Crosby, a touch of Justin Timberlake and a lot of life to the links. The folks at Boulder-based Wallaroo Hats have been channeling both this fashion vibe and the importance of sun protection in such styles as the fedora and trilby. Among the top picks for male golfers is the apt-named Justin (shown at right), $44, which has a 2-inch brim and is packable. The Avery, $52, has eyelets to increase airflow to the head and a UPF 50+ fabric that blocks ultraviolet rays. Women as well as men like the styling, and a ladies’ version of the trilby, Trilogy (pictured above), comes with a striped ribbon accent, $44. wallaroohats.com

IN THE PINK

Women who want looks that are easy, breezy and anything but stodgy to wear on the golf course find them from Ellabelle. Designer Heidi Ehrlich, whose family owns The Mad Russian Golf and Country Club in Milliken, runs the merchandise side of the business, so she was in a good position to bring something new to the course when starting Ellabelle (pictured at the top of this article) four years ago. The unabashedly feminine collection employs plenty of pink, prints and flirtatious design. Looks for spring include python and pop prints for her Chacha dress, $115, and undershorts, $20; racerback top, $65; and Sway skirt, $70, among other items. ellabelle.com

FROM COURT TO COURSE

Denver native Anne Fanganello worked in the New York fashion scene at such companies as Nanette Lepore before returning to her home state to start the AnnaFesta women’s collection. A tennis lover, she added FestaSports activewear a couple of years ago for women who need a wider size range (items go from extra small to a size 3X) and sportswear with more coverage. Golfers soon took notice, and FestaSports is now offering golf skorts in patterned, moisture-wicking fabrics, $56; V-neck tops and tank tops, $59; polo tops, $79; and skirts with attached capris, $68. festasports.com

*** Colorado AvidGolfer readers get a 10% discount and free shipping by using voucher code “CAG” at checkout, through June 30th, 2018.

CHILD’S PLAY

Joe Silva started Garb Inc. two decades ago when he couldn’t find golf clothes for his children. Now his son Tyler Silva is director of operations for the Denver-based company and they’re still going strong. Garb’s collections of well-designed golfwear for youths age 5-14 (they make styles for infants and toddlers, too) offer a winning combination of fashion and function to appeal to both kids and parents. Boys’ shorts, for example, are offered in quick-dry materials so they can go form the driving range to the diving board, and long-sleeved, quarter-zip tops for girls are available in UPF 50+ fabric. Most looks in the 2018 collection, in stores in May, are $33-$53. garbinc.com

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Suzanne S. Brown is the former fashion and features editor for The Denver Post.

This article appears in the Spring 2018 issue of Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine— the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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