One of the more divisive dress code issues in golf is the one that involves cargo shorts; the enormously popular, sometimes voluminous, multi-pocketed shorts that first appeared on the fashion scene in the early 90s. Cargo shorts can be worn in varying lengths but are distinguished by the quantity and capacity of their pockets. Early on the look was almost exclusively associated with Fratboy types who'd wear them with A&F T-shirts and woven hemp necklaces or maybe an oversize, collar-poped polo shirt.
Then cargo shorts evolved. The pockets lost their pleats and the legs got leaner. Designers like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren created their own renditions of the style and eventually spawned a sub-category we'll call... um... "dressy cargo shorts". ~ And that's when they transcended the college-aged crowd and found their way into grown-up wardrobes. But still, when it comes to the golf course, cargos... no matter their provenance... can still be polarizing.
I first wrote about the issue more than two years ago, and have revisited it a couple of times since, most recently in December of 2008 when our newly elected President was first spotted... while playing golf in Hawaii... in a pair of ample khaki shorts with a perfusion of pockets; classic cargo shorts. ~ Since he took office, the Commander-in-Chief has been seen in cargo shorts on a number of different courses, much to the consternation of those who don't deem the style "golf-appropriate".
A week ago I was catching up with my reading over at The A Position... where a network of established journalists post high quality golf and travel content... and I noticed that Hal Phillips, aka. "The Curmudgeon", had addressed the Presidential cargo conundrum in his first Curmudgeon podcast. He brings in fellow A Position wordsmiths, Larry Olmsted and Tom Harack, who weigh in on the President's penchant for pockets and pleats... and they're clearly in the "don't-care-for-cargos" camp. ~ Then ...at the end of the week new photos came out of the President playing golf on Martha's Vinyard, wearing elegantly tailored long trousers! Yes, it appears he took the journalist's "Sartorial Screed" to heart and changed his billowy, dress-code-defying ways ...or maybe he was just dressing for the impending cool front. Photos - Before:AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, After:AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Cargo Boys:GolfGirlMedia
Please note: this post concerns a particular golf apparel issue. It has nothing to do with politics, and
Dressy cargo shorts...cool, I can wear them with my dressy flip-flops. ;o)
ReplyDeleteI have a cargo skirt! I wear it when I play and the pockets really come in handy. I never had any issue with dress code police either.
ReplyDeleteWhen you think of all the controversy around the Rules of Golf lately it's seems like the powers that be should be reviewing them and maybe revising a few, not worrying about cargo pants.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the podcast and I think Larry Olmstead's point, that the President normally dresses quite formally, thus making his cargo shorts on the golf course seem especially unkempt.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure President Obama wore slacks, at least once or twice, on the course long before his famous cargo photos popped up.
ReplyDeleteHe was appropriately dressed for both occasions, IMHO. One was in Hawaii, one was in Martha's Vineyard. Two very different golfing environments.
As long as he obeyed the four-inch rule. I'm cool. ;o)
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ReplyDeletei just don't think most MEN care all that much about what they wear
i'm NOT in the cargo pants camp either, but i don't care really what the rest of the guys wear
when it's HOT, i wear what is comfortable which typically means cotton
frankD
ftlauderdaleFLA
ok - so he's gone from dressing like a sloppy kid to dressing like Katherine Hepburn in "On Golden Pond" ? :-D
ReplyDeleteI don't know Frank, it seems like men are much more into their "golf outfits" these days. It's part of the whole Esquire-GQ metrosexual thing and I'm seeing a lot of it especially in the 30-40 demographic. I don't see many of those guys in cargo shorts though, where I play most guys look more like the "after" version
ReplyDeleteIs this dress do-over the "Change we can believe in" that we have all been waiting for, for soo long?
ReplyDeleteMen are much more into their "golf outfits" now a days.
ReplyDeleteJust want to say that you are AWESOME! I like your style and keep up the great work!
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