Once again, the Open Championship gave us a sneak peek at some of the biggest fashion trends for fall. From earthy color palettes and rich textures to fresh stripes and retro accessories, these are the trends to know as we transition to shorter days and cooler temps.
Go for the Green
Christian Petersen
David Cannon
Green is the fashion color of the season, and we saw plenty of it at Royal Portrush. Bright and vibrant greens have their place in the spring and summer, but as the days get shorter, look for richer and moodier hues to take over. A dark forest green or jewel tones, such as emerald and jade, will put you on trend for the final few months of the golf season.
The New Blue
Alex Pantling/R&A
Navy blue has been dominating the fairways, and most likely your wardrobe, for the last decade. The best way to give the blue section of your closet an autumn refresh is with this steel blue color. Think of it as the new navy. It pairs well with white, grey, burgundy and black. Plus, it is the perfect color for transitioning from late summer to early fall.
Stone Cold
Ramsey Cardy
Earth tones and soft neutrals are having a moment, and stone-colored trousers are hitting that sweet spot between classic khakis and crisp whites. Instead of being worn as a style default, they are now being worn with a purpose. These aren’t the stiff, boring pants your high school geometry teacher rocked back in the day. Today’s beige trousers are soft and stretchy, while creating the canvas for crisp polos and vintage knits to shine.
More From Golf Digest
Layers With Texture
Richard Heathcote
Warren Little
This season, the layering game is all about texture, and it is coming in many forms. Classic cable knits, quilting, and double knits in natural fabrics are leading the way. In many cases, these textures are pulling double duty by not only adding interest and dimension to your look but also naturally insulating and trapping warmth. Thanks to improvements in print and fabric technology, we’re also seeing traditional menswear patterns like plaids and herringbones being added to raingear and technical layers to give the illusion of texture.
Principle of Verticality
Warren Little
Stuart Kerr/R&A
The retro revival is real, and golf fashion is all about the ‘90s and early ‘00s right now. This was an era that knew the power of a polo with vertical patterns and stripes. Now, golf apparel brands are understanding the assignment and leaning into the trend. The good news is that vertical stripes and patterns have a couple of benefits. First, they add movement from top to bottom, which helps with the flow of your fit. Second, and maybe more importantly, they are slimming and elongating. Let's be honest; most of us benefit from looking taller and leaner.
Two-Tone Hats Hit the Right Notes
Christian Petersen
Sticking with the “retro done right” theme is the welcome return of two-tone hats. Born in the ‘90s and brought back by streetwear culture, two-tone lids are the perfect cocktail of nostalgic vibes and modern swagger. They give off early Tiger, peak Fred Couples, and vintage caddie feels. From a style standpoint, they bring contrast and pop to elevate a fit without overpowering it.
Cool Cardigans
Christian Petersen
Pedro Salado
Crewnecks have been dominating the fairways for the past several years, but the game’s most fashion-conscious players are working cardigans into their rotations now. Yes, cardigans are cool for the first time since Arnold Palmer set the fashion standard. With streetwear’s influence, designers have rebooted the cardigan with boxier cuts, high-end yarns, and bold patterns. As a result, they feel less like grandpa at Thanksgiving dinner and more like a quiet grail worn by a creative director. Quarter-zips and pullovers feel a bit safe, but a cardigan adds shape, flow and attitude to your fit.