By Janice Ferguson

The shirtdress has made an impact on women’s golf and mainstream fashion since the early 1900s. The comfort, ease and versatility of shirtdresses get credit for its age-defying status on designers’ sketchpads.

Popular again for the 2008 spring and summer seasons, it is worth a walk back in time to see how the shirtdress has managed to find such staying power.

According to the Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion, the shirtdress, also called the shirtwaist, began as a cotton nurse’s uniform at around the turn of the 20th century and continued in this mode into World War I, where it became the uniform for the Red Cross and other organizations needing practical, washable clothing for their female workers.

The silhouette was becoming on many body shapes, and could be cinched in at the waist with a belt or left loosely fitted. It was this flexible styling that created post-war enthusiasm for wearing the shirtdress for active sports.

By the 1920s, occasional sports dresses based on the shirtdress, but not using the name, were adopted for golf and tennis. In 1926, retailer Best & Co. promoted its shirtmaker frocks for sports. They were made of cotton and were able to be monogrammed.

As a fashion, the shirtdress hit its stride in the 1930s, in large part because of the upscale men’s shirt manufacturer, the McMullen Co. of New York. The company, attempting to overcome the falling market in fine men’s shirts during the Depression, introduced a line of shirt frocks for women in 1935. The frocks were two-piece cotton, linen, or lightweight wool dresses, with choices of either skirts or culottes — the skort’s beginning — that looked like shirts.

Another influence on the shirtdress style was designer Claire McCardell (1905-1958), who is known as the creator of women’s sportswear.

A 1928 graduate of Parsons School of Design in New York, McCardell became the first designer to use zippers, popularize leotards, wear tweed evening coats and put spaghetti straps on evening gowns.

After World War II, when American women sought versatile, comfortable, practical and affordable apparel, and no longer wished to be dependent on Paris couture, McCardell answered this desire. She introduced clothing that fit into her own active lifestyle as a skier, golfer and traveler. She originated mix-and-match separates, pedal-pushers, bareback summer dresses, strapless swimsuits and feminine denim fashion.

The 1930s also began the breakdown of rigid distinctions between morning wear, tea gowns and dinner dresses, making it possible for women to dress once for the whole day. A jacket could be worn over a top with skirt or a casual dress for a morning walk, lunch with friends, to the golf club, and then back home for a cocktail gathering without having to change clothes or look unsuitable for any of those activities.

This one outfit a day concept is also cited as the reason female golfers always wore skirts, jackets and dresses, and did not convert to the more practical slacks or pants for the sport until much later in the century. It was a fashion trend based on social life, not athleticism.

Women’s magazines from the 1930s and into the 1940s referred to the shirtdress simply as the “button-down-the-front-style” or, more vaguely, the “sports dress” even as they acknowledged that it had become a classic of American style. In a very early version, Simplicity offered a shirtmaker sewing pattern in 1937, but The Ladies Home Journal did not consistently use the name in its articles and advertising until sometime around 1941, when Best & Co. called its dress a “golfer” that same year.

The 1950s and early 1960s brought full-skirted versions of the shirtdress to street fashion, and became the outfit of choice for the American housewife. It is probably safe to say that the advent of television and shows like “Ozzie & Harriett” and “I Love Lucy” helped vault the poofy, not terribly flattering style into most women’s wardrobes.

Knee-length skirts, some with inverted kick pleats that allowed more ease of movement, worn with tailored shirts and sweaters were gaining popularity. Bermuda shorts hitting just above the knee and worn with knee socks were the sportswear darlings, and became preferred garments for both men and women at that time.

But the new styles didn’t mean the shirtdress would be relegated to the back of the closet. For six years during the 1970s, fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg supplied women who were torn between wearing mini skirts and dresses or pants with a practical, comfortable, flattering alternative —the wrap dress, which mimicked the shirtdress without the buttons. The dress was moderate length, made of Italian fine cotton jersey, and usually printed in a bright floral or geometric pattern against white.

Before the fad played itself out, Von Furstenberg’s company had sold more than 300,000 of the dresses at around $70 each — a price considered expensive enough to act as a status symbol in those days. For a few years in the 1980s Von Furstenberg focused her attention on other design avenues, but thankfully had successful plans to bring back the wrap dress in 1989, and its popularity hasn’t slowed since.

A wrap shirtdress is not considered conducive for playing golf in, but today’s lifestyle designers are using more practical details like zippers and beautifully crafted snaps that give female golfers a dress that’s sporty yet feminine. Today’s designs are a throwback to the shirtdresses original beginning, in that it can functionally be worn on and off the course. Modern fabrics add the mobility necessary to swing clubs, and various styles of thin fitted shorts can be worn underneath a shirtdress for comfort and obvious modesty.

They say what goes around, comes around. In the case of the shirtdress, it’s a style that has stood the test of time and just stayed around.

You would think that hitting a golf ball you wouldn’t need as much of an exercise program as say football players. Well that’s not true. Golfers need to have full range of their muscles so that they can swing the club even more and hit the ball longer. This is why exercises that aim at restoring muscular balance and building strength is the foundation of most golfers’ exercises.

In order to get stronger you need to do it progressively over time. Many trainers use the FITT approach: frequency of exercise, intensity of effort, time in the gym with exercise and varying the type of exercise. As you make changes in one of those elements then you will notice an ability to reach new levels in your fitness program.

Take a blend of many decades of style, add a dash of old Hollywood glamour, and you have the magic of the trends for spring 2008. This season the designers added modern twists to our favorite classic and timeless pieces. Fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, and Princess Diana wore many of these sophisticated and classic trends: romantic, flirty, and colorful in design and mood. Here are my top twelve trends for spring. You may not love all of them, but I encourage you to select a few to add to your existing wardrobe to look more modern and fashionable.

1). Crayola Colors This season the designers have added a lot of vibrant hues in saturated colors like bright yellow, grass green, royal blue, red, safety orange and fuchsia. These bright colors may be hard for everyone to wear. If you want to experiment with bold colors, start with a bright blouse or jacket and pair it with a pair of white pants or a skirt, which will tone it down a bit. When you wear bright colors like these, keep your accessories simple, so that the color becomes the focal point.

2). Pattern Punch, Creative Strokes & Floral Dresses, jackets, tops and skirts will come in all sizes of patterns this season. The popular prints will have graphic, geometric and abstract motifs. You will see some beautiful new prints that look like creative brush stroke patterns off an artist’s canvas in a light whimsical scrawl or a blurred watercolor abstract. Romantic florals will dominate the season in medium to large prints. When selecting a print to wear in the professional business arena, remember to keep it in the small to medium range, and in a subtle color.

3). The Waist-Defined Dress Springtime is all about dresses this year. The two most popular styles, which I adore, are the shirt dress and the sheath dress; both of which accentuate the waist area. I love these styles because they work well in a business casual work environment, and can go from day to night with a change to dressier accessories. The shirt dress is a tailored, stylish, and classic silhouette, with a collar that can be worn turned up a bit, and a button-down front, which when unbuttoned, can create a great V-neckline. A shirt dress with a sash or belt can compliment a waistline, or help to create one that is not prominent enough. This style of dress is flattering to many different body types. Many sheath dress styles can be worn without a belt but are shapely to your body and define a bit of waist. This dress looks professional worn with a modern or tailored jacket during the day, and worn with a great purse and clutch handbag for an after-hours event. For work this style of dress worn with a jacket conveys professionalism, expertise and feminity for women in business.

4). The Timeless Trench The classic trench returns in time for the springtime weather and it is a great wardrobe essential that every woman needs in her closet. This season you will see a more modern version of the classic trench coat. The latest twists are brighter colors, lighter fabrics and shorter jacket styles, which look great with dress trousers. The timeless trench takes on a springtime, fresh look with softer fabrics and fun colors. This is also a great item to pair with jeans and sandals during those cool spring evenings to look stylish and chic.

5). The Feminine Blouse The mood of the season is romantic and flirty when it comes to blouses. Beautiful soft blouses in pastels and prints with lots of feminine details like ruffles, pin tucks and tiny pleats. With the fine detailing on these blouses, keep jewelry to a minimum. This is a great must-have for every workingwoman, as this sophisticated and romantic item can modernize a classic suit and add a womanly flair to a basic tailored suit.

6). Out of Africa Safari wear is a great timeless trend again this season. From the 1970’s era, you will see African safari jackets, khaki shirt dresses, and belted safari pant suits. In with this trend you’ll find great animal prints, like leopard and giraffe, in dresses and tops. To give this style a great head to toe look try pairing a safari outfit with some natural wood accessories and trendy wide strapped sandals with wooden soles and heels.

7). Full, Flirty Skirts Skirt silhouettes will be full and stylish this season like the dirndl, the A-line, pleated styles and soft flirty skirts with a fuller silhouette. These styles will be in solid bold colors, color blocked prints, floral and artistic prints. A soft A-line skirt that gently drapes over your hip is a flattering style for many women, as it camouflages large hip areas. Any of these styles worn with a modern jacket, a twin set or a soft feminine blouse makes for a winning combination to keep in mind for a business casual workday.

8). High-Waisted Trousers This is a hard trend for many women to accept since we have, for years, had to become accustomed to the low-rise pant. This trend started last fall and we are definitely starting to see more dramatic waistbands rise to new levels. The styles that illustrate this trend are the sailor pant or wide-legged pant. While this trend may not work for everyone, if you have a defined waistline, this can really show off your small waist area. You will look curvy, but womanly. When you wear a higher-waist pant be sure to balance it with a form fitting top on your upper torso, making your legs appear slimmer and longer. If your body type doesn’t look great in this trend - skip it, as there are a lot of pants options this season.

9). Global Chic This season the designers traveled the world and went outside the box to get inspired for new patterns, shapes and accessories to give that “melting pot” allure to dressing. You will see a large ethnic influence like apparel with embroidery or intricate Bali-influenced prints. In jewelry you will see tribal beads, stones, chunky wooden carved necklaces and natural wood pieces. When you wear a piece of this global look, incorporate it with some other pieces in your wardrobe. Perhaps add a dramatic necklace or bracelet from a faraway place to finish a look on a safari ensemble, or casual jean outfit.

10). Shoes - Architectural Heels and Bold Colors Shoes this season will be very structured with lots of architectural details on the heels and artfully designed platforms. The structured high wooden heels and soles on sandals will look natural and earthy when worn with dresses and skirts. At the other end of the spectrum is color. You will see pops of color in a modern mix of color blocking on shoes like bright pinks and yellows mixed with black. If you decide to wear some colorful shoes in vivid colors, let them be the focus and keep the ensemble simple and elegant.

11). Shades of Gold: Metallic Jewelry Necklaces, bracelets and earrings this season will be in new shades of metallic gold. Rose gold is the new modern gold to wear. If you are warm in coloring, adding rose gold accessories will make your current wardrobe more contemporary. This shade of gold looks beautiful with many of the beautiful neutral colors coming out this spring and summer.

12). Stacked Bangles and Cuffs In the bracelet category you will see cuffs in various metallics, and bold color in Lucite. Stack up your arm with some fun bangles in different shapes and sizes. This is a fun item to wear to add some style to a dress or if you are wearing a short sleeve or sleeveless blouse. Do be careful if you are in the workplace that you don’t overdo it. Perhaps go for one cuff bracelet so you aren’t jingling all over the office.

I hope that you find at least two to three trends that you are willing to try to incorporate into your existing wardrobe. If you add a few of these into your classic-trend ensembles, you will look stylish and chic for every occasion.

Sarah Hathorn is a certified image consultant, speaker, and corporate image advisor. Illustra Image Consulting works with individual men and women who wish to update their fashion and professional presence. The company also provides corporate image services to organizations that wish to enhance their corporate brand within the marketplace.

In Mexico their favorite sport is soccer and many don’t know what golf is. Lorena Ochoa is giving gold big exposure in a world that has only known of one sport for decades. She is an icon in Mexico and a world renowned golfer in the rest of the world. Mexico now has 3 LPGA events going on and they even have the Lorena Ochoa Invitational. The only other living player whose name is the title of the tournament is Arnold Palmer.

Lorena Ochoa was golfing at age five and by age six she had won a state championship and at age seven she had one her first national championship. She went to college in Arizona and never was outside of the top 10 in NCAA tournaments. She has been a professional for 6 years and she is leaps and bounds beyond her competition.

Ochoa is the one to watch over the next couple of years. She will be raising the bar every chance she gets.

Bunkers
Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose.

Repair of Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Shoes
Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player himself). On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired.

Preventing Unnecessary Damage
Players should avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason.

Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when putting down bags or the flagstick.

In order to avoid damaging the hole, players and caddies should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. The head of a club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole.

Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.

The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before players leave the putting green.

Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed.

TYPES AND VARIETY
There is a specific towel for a specific job like wiping one’s face, wiping golf clubs or polishing golf balls or drying. Heavy duty towels are used for cleaning or wiping golf balls. Soft and crisp towels are used for wiping oneself. Golf towels are also available with hooks and grommet for hanging on a golf bag.

USES
The uses of golf towels are manifold, some of the most common ones are:

• To dry off discs.
• Customized golf towel are a very good idea to promote an event or as a corporate gift.
• To wipe oneself dry on a hot and sunny day.
• To absorb water and moisture from hand.
• To absorb oil, water or moisture from the grip of the clubs.

MATERIALS USED
A variety of golf towels made from different kinds of materials are available to suit the specific purposes like wiping oneself or wiping the golf equipment. Some of the most common materials used for making golf towels are:

• Cotton
• Microfiber
• Linen
• Suede

STYLES AND PATTERNS
Golf towel comes in different styles and patterns. They are beautified, personalized or customized with the help of embroidery, appliqué, weaving and printing. Golf towels are of varied colors. Sports apparel manufacturers also have their logos on golf towels and sold as a line of sports clothing. Corporate houses also have their own logos on the golf towels.

There comes a time in every brand’s life when a little, shall we say, work, needs to be done to give it that youthful glow. Major players like Lilly Pulitzer and St. John have both re-energized their brands with different tactics and varying degrees of success.

Lily’s of Beverly Hills is a recently ‘lifted’ brand that seems to have struck the right balance between their founding values and the needs of contemporary women. They’ve obviously done their homework about who their customer is and what she needs to support her insanely active lifestyle. Further they’ve secured the best talent in the biz — the designer/merchandiser responsible for the concept and development of Kitson’s wildly popular jeans and apparel line.

‘The Bloom Returns’ relaunch at this year’s PGA Merchandise show was a hit. Their booth was a constant hive of activity and their runway looks greeted with oohs and aahs. LBH is positioned as a lifestyle brand, rather than strictly a golf or resort line. Although many other companies I visited at the show aspire to this, LBH delivered with a range of looks and fabrics that strike a balance between style and performance. I’m in love with the pink beaded cardi from the Nantucket collection (pictured, left) — a 40s-inspired, ultrasoft lambswool/angora/nylon w/exquisitely detailed beading. I also really liked the Orla Kiely-esque mod graphic prints in their navy/red Aspen collection. Pairing with mini-plaid print bottoms (skorts, shorts, capris) made the colors pop and just felt classically modern.

Look for them in a resort/pro shop near you.

From Dogmom’s Dish.

If you are just starting out you’ll first need clubs and balls and a good pair of golf shoes. If you think you can get on a golf course with a pair of tennis shoes, you will soon find out that most of the golf clubs won’t allow you to enter the course with anything other than a pair of golf shoes. They don’t want the grass to be harmed by other shoes.

The art of golf is a great golf swing and for that you need to have shoes that don’t slide in the ground so that you can stand properly. Remember that you will be hitting the ball at different slopes and angles and golf shoes are designed for this.

Keep in mind that you want your shoes to feel comfortable and be something that you can walk up to 4 miles in and not have feet that are killing you at the end.

Puma Womens Golf White & Dahlia Shoe - Dahlia is a light purple tone with a metallic finish

ADIDAS ClimaCool White/Magenta Golf Shoe

UNUTZER - The Elegant Patent Black/White Golf Shoe

LADY GOLF Exclusive Colorway - Walter Genuin Jackie White & Red Shoe
These Jackie model golf and street shoes have been manufactured in color option White & Red for exclusive sale in the United States only at LADY GOLF.

When I’m out on the golf course I want to have functional clothing but I don’t want to abandon my style while I’m out there. I of course don’t want to be too stylish and then not be able to hit the ball but I also don’t want to look like I’m dressed in men’s clothes.

I like some of the European labels like Bogner and Golfino because they know how to combine functionality with fashion. Golfino is a sporty style with elegance and is great to wear in any weather condition on the golf course.

Golfino Wrap Shirt

Another great one is a North American designer named Leon Levin. In the 1960’s Leon Levin developed the skort as we know it today. I love playing in a skort because it gives me the freedom of a pair of shorts yet the elegance of a skirt.

Golf designers like Izod and Sport Haley are concerned with what works but they also are very stylish.

Izod Polo

Sport Haley 3/4 Sleeve Polo

How many times have you heard that golf is for boring old men? The demographic has shifted and golf is not just for your grandfather anymore.

You may be surprised to find just who’s hitting the links. Many of the tabloid and celebrity magazines have annual issues for the “sexiest man alive” or the “25 most eligible bachelors.”

In honor of all the hunks and hot men who golf I’ve compiled our own “On the Lip” tribute to the “Marvelous Men who Golf.” There are numerous young, good-looking, successful and talented men who golf. Topping our list is Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots, who grew up golfing in San Francisco and continues to hit the links when he’s not playing football or spending time with his Victoria Secrets super model girlfriend.

Mark Wahlberg, with a 7 handicap, is one of the few celebrities at Wilshire Country Club. Actor Matthew McConaghey, dubbed this year’s No. 1 “Sexy and Single-Hottest Bachelor” by People Magazine, carries an 8 handicap. Mr. Sexy himself, Justin Timberlake is an avid golfer who plays in the Pebble Beach Pro Am along with Andy Garcia, a 9 handicap who won the AT&T Pebble Beach with Paul Stankowski in 1997.

Our favorite Dolphin, Jason Taylor, hosts his own celebrity golf tournament in Miami. Although he may not be the youngest, Kevin Costner is definitely one of the most stylish on the course and, with a 10.8 handicap, proves he’s more than good looks. With a 25 handicap this player has other priorities, but George Clooney manages to slip a bit of golf into his schedule now and again.

Winner of five gold, three silver and two bronze medals in the Olympics, swimmer Gary Hall Jr. has been seen hitting it long at the Miami Beach Golf Course. Emmitt Smith the three-time Super Bowl champion and the NFL’s all-time leading rusher - and, don’t forget, winner of “Dancing with the Stars,” is an avid golfer who’s determined to lower his handicap. For NASCAR fans, Carl Edwards is also a golfer, Poker players beware you may not want to bet against the single-digit handicapper, Phil Gordon. Surfers Kelly Slater, one of the best surfers of our generation, is intelligent and handsome and a very nice guy. Slater learned to play golf when his financial advisor suggested he give it a try. Ever since then, he says “I’m hooked.” Cool sports super studs who golf include Wayne Gretzky, Boris Becker, Alex Rodriguez, Michael Jordan and John McEnroe.

There are numerous international celebrities who golf, including Miguel Luis, Bryan Lara, Edoardo Dalle Crode, Jorge Campos and Hugh Grant. There’s also a list of fabulous golfing women, including Catherine Zeta Jones, Sharon Stone and Nicole Kidman.

By: Elisa Gaudet