LG columnist Claire Kane on the fashions at Birkdale
If you watched the Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale, you will have noticed the trend for stripes this year. There were hoops on sleeves, stripey collars and tops that had similar markings to bees. Michelle Wie may have got away with a top that looked more like a rugby shirt but the average golfers’ waistline wouldn’t look quite so trim in the wide bands.
Bright block colours were also prominent this year with bursts of yellow, orange and red (eggs and ketchup came to mind). A couple of players looked like they were supporting the Tour de France in vivid yellow tops, as well as acting as a beacon for the local bug population. Interestingly, despite all the bright colours worn over the four days, Mo Martin, the winner, came in wearing black!
Clearly their collars don’t curl like my club kit. Necklines were boringly traditional with manly collars and polo necks and many sported the double layered look of short-sleeved shirts worn over polo neck jumpers. So it was refreshing to see Ai Miyazato wearing a chic polka-dot top with a ‘Jackie O’ style neckline, something I doubt I’ll ever see hanging in my pro shop.
Logos were in abundance and I noticed they now display them on shirt collars. Clearly their collars don’t curl like my club kit.
Charley Hull sported a fashionable ‘up do’ (hair bun to you and me), whilst others had the usual ponytails poking through caps, weighted down with extra scrunchies, bows and ribbons. I noticed a few players tucking their tee pegs into their hair. Personally I wouldn’t even attempt this as I’d probably still be picking them out in the bar.
Other accessories came in the form of ankle bling, bracelets and wristbands which must prove interesting when you throw your hands forward at over 90 miles per hour.
A few players chose skimpy shorts but the trend was towards long trousers on the exposed links, particularly of the skinny variety.
I can’t see the average, middle-aged female golfer slipping into skinny trousers or wearing large, horizontal hoops around their midriff but there’s always the latest fashion in footwear where names are emblazoned on the side of the shoe. It could just prove helpful in the case of a ‘senior moment’!
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
