As the ladies showcase their talent on one of golf’s biggest stages, they’ll also be bringing their best looks too. This week’s U.S. Women’s Open will not only be a display of the best female golfers in the world but also of the latest fashion trends of women’s golf apparel. Keep an eye out for bright colors as many companies are going with sharp and neon looks for their spring lines, light materials and yes…sparkles (cue Lucy Li).
Different players have gone different routes to line up their outfits for the second major of the season. While the likes of Jessica Korda, Natalie Gulbis and Paula Creamer (all with Adidas) and Michelle Wie (Nike) let the fashion higher ups surprise them with a four-day lineup, others like to pack their own bags and even go on shopping sprees themselves.
Scripting outfits has become the norm at major championships for some players with clothing sponsors, but others like world No. 1 Stacy Lewis keep it simple with outfits already stashed in their wardrobe. Lewis said her apparel company, Antigua, is more traditional with the golf shirt and chino shorts look but has incorporated some flashes of brightness as of late.
“It’s a little bit of a mix,” said Lewis. “Some bright colors, some a little bit softer but in general right now Antigua is pretty bright.”
Michelle Wie will be sporting a combination of shorts, skirts, short sleeves and sleeveless pieces from Nike’s Spring line. The Hawaii native has an attention to detail when it comes to her on-course fashion and likes the subtle styling changes Nike has made to some of the more traditional golf looks. Also expect to see the oversized visor she started wearing during the LPGA’s Asia swing earlier this year.
“There’s a scoop collar that has a mini collar that is really cool and these skirts are great,” said Wie. “There’s a little mini ruffle in the back.”
One of the biggest and perhaps most important trends this week will be lightweight materials and cutting edge technology to keep the ladies cool. Temperatures are forecasted to soar into the high 90s with a heat index of over 100 degrees. Adidas has recently released the new climachill technology which “utilizes advanced moisture-wicking fabric and 360° ventilation for a cooling benefit consumers can feel immediately. It works to raise performance levels by lowering body temperatures to their optimum levels.”
Gulbis will try out the new shirt on Friday and said she thinks it will be a difference maker.
“It’s obviously very warm here and we’re going to be sweating,” said Gulbis. “The coolest thing with wearing Adidas is that you can’t tell. Like I’m wearing black today and you can’t even tell. I get to wear the new shirt on Friday with the cooling technology called climachill. It has a cooling agent in the back of the shirt. I’m most excited for that.”
Some players will brave the sun in the sandhills of North Carolina with sleeveless shirts but Lewis, Creamer and Lexi Thompson will be wearing all short-sleeved options all week. Gulbis even has a long-sleeved shirt scheduled for Sunday’s final round.
“No sleeveless, I definitely don’t need sunburn,” said Lewis. “But definitely lighter fabrics and more breathable which is great for the heat.”
While the veterans who have their own apparel sponsors are provided clothing for the week, those like 11-year old Lucy Li had to put some thought into what they would wear this week in Pinehurst. Li, who has stolen headlines this week by becoming the youngest qualifier in U.S. Women’s Open history, has also been making statements with her youthful on-course attire.
At her Tuesday pre-tournament press conference, Li showed up in a polka dot skirt and a T-shirt with sequin shoulder patches and a graphic zebra on the front. When asked what we should expect from her outfits this week, she said exuded her pre-teen charm.
“Definitely bright and sparkles,” said Li. “This is my new favorite shirt. It’s really comfortable and I like zebras.”
Li, who is from Redwood Shores, Calif. where she’s accustomed to much cooler temperatures, said she was treated to a shopping spree by her parents before making the trip to Pinehurst.
“Well I kind of went shopping because I don’t have enough T-shirts,” said Li. “I had all long sleeves being in San Francisco and I was like ‘oh my gosh how am I going to play in North Carolina?’”
Staying true to her 11-year old self, Li didn’t stop by a Nike store or even retailers with golf clothes. Where did she pick up her sparkly outfits? Justice and Kohls.
Li has coined the nickname ‘the pigtailed prodigy’ and has given all the hair styling credit to her mom, Amy Zeng. Li had three pigtails covered in colored clips sprouting out of her head on Tuesday and brightened up when asked how the style came about.
“Three pigtails and two are even connected,” Li said as she showed off her locks. “Yea my mom does my hair. She’s the one who has fun. Yea she loves trying out new things and thinks something up as she does it.”
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