Nov. 24, 2010
By Man in the Black Hat, PGATOUR.COM Fashion Insider
Oprah is in her final season, and The Man In The Black Hat is in his first.
Other than that, really, who's to tell the difference? One thing we certainly have in common are favorite things, and like Oprah, I find it to be important to share that which you admire with others, as the Queen of All Media recently did in unveiling her favorite things for 2010.
Phffft! While impressive on many levels, one element Oprah's list is sorely missing is anything golf-related. After the initial shock of that was born of this revelation, I thought it vital to rectify the oversight, and provide you, the good reader of PGATOUR.COM, with The Man In The Black Hat's Favorite Things for 2010 -- Golf Apparel Edition.
|
| A dozen holiday deals |
| Need more help picking out gifts? Check out these discounts from SHOP.PGATOUR.COM. |
|
Before we dive in, it is important to make it clear that unlike the hand-selected audience members who are invited to be in studio with Oprah during the taping of her "favorite things" episode, readers of this column won't be walking away with any of the products that follow. Rest assured, if and when The Man In The Black Hat is able to match Oprah's clout, reparations will be made.
Before you click the mouse with vigorous outrage, I encourage you to utilize this list in any manner you see fit -- as a holiday wish list that you subtly e-mail to your spouse, or, if that doesn't work out for you, as a post-holiday shopping list. After all, there's nothing like a little self-gifting, especially when it involves our all-time favorite indulgence -- golf.
First, a disclaimer of sorts. What follows is a personal list of favorite things, those used and loved, or those yet to be acquired but greatly admired. We will start at the top, and work our way down.
|
| J Lindeberg Daley hat |
 |
If you must wear a hat, you are encouraged to wear something unique -- not Bill Murray unique, but unique nonetheless. In seasons past, the likes of Johan Edfors and Ryan Moore made the military-style hat popular, but this year has seen the return to form of the driver's style cap, aka the Jeff, the flat cap, the ivy. Call it what you want, The Man In The Black Hat sports this very model in the headshot that accompanies this column each week. Some have likened the look to one who might be found training greyhounds, but it's a classic look that everyone should have in their collection. ($28)
Official site | J Lindeberg products at SHOP.PGATOUR.COM |
|
|
| Sunice Outerwear |
 |
Affordable, stylish, luxurious, and oh so quiet please. As easily distracted as I am on course -- Monty has nothing on my lack of focus -- I'm a Sunice convert thanks to the stretchable, and ultra-quiet nature of the Bowen Jacket. Sliding in at the Tornado level on the Sunice weather severity scale, the Bowen features Sun Ice's FlexventTM technology, which boasts superior breathability carries with it a four year waterproof guarantee. You'll feel so good in this that you won't want to take it off, even after it stops raining. ($249.95)
Official site | Sunice Outerwear products at SHOP.PGATOUR.COM |
|
|
| Lululemon golf shirt |
 |
Gents, don't be shy about wearing a non-traditional golf brand on course, especially when it comes to the Fairway Tech shirt from Lululemon. Lululemon knows a thing or two about stretchable fabric, and the Fairway Tech slimmer fit offering is both soft to the touch and neatly tailored. A certain golf fashion non-conformist put this model in play during the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. You guessed it, that Ryan Moore guy again.($68)
Official site |
|
|
| House of Fleming belt |
 |
You know an item is expensive when the web site doesn't publish the price. Such is the case with this lust-worth item from Atlanta's House of Fleming. Favored by a myriad of PGA TOUR members, perhaps most notably Phil Mickelson, belts from House of Fleming carry with them a certain cache that cannot be matched. When one considers that House of Fleming belts are hand-crafted in a 56-step process, and come in a variety of skins and colors including alligator, crocodile, ostrich, and stingray among others, price becomes a secondary consideration at time of purchase. How many fancy keepers will you add to your belt? ($750-$1,200 estimate)
Official site |
|
|
| Travis Mathew Hipster pant |
 |
My favorite pant of 2010, bar none. A conversation starter thanks to the ultra-convenient iPhone pocket that's located directly below the belt line in the back, this pant drew perhaps more than just a little inspiration from a certain J Lindeberg model, for which it is forgiven thanks to unmatched versatility and functionality. Wear these to work without question, and slip out for a mid-afternoon round without having to change before your tee time. ($129.95)
Official site |
|
|
| Ecco Golf Street shoes |
 |
Yes, everyone wants to swing it like Fred Couples. It's high time we got over that notion because it's probably not going to happen. At a certain age one comes to realize that our swing is our swing, but that doesn't mean we can't emulate the relaxed approach of the 1992 Masters champion while wearing the alternative golf shoe he helped popularize in 2010, the Ecco Golf Street. With a variety of new colors on the way for next season, the Golf Street might be just as hard to keep in stock in 2011 as it was in 2010. ($140)
Official site | ECCO products at SHOP.PGATOUR.COM |
|
|
| True Linkswear TRUE Tour shoes |
 |
The other alternative golf shoe spied on TOUR in 2010 came to our attention through Ryan Moore's involvement with the company, and the company's reliance on social media to create buzz and to garner acceptance in the marketplace. Noticeably wider in the toe box than any other golf shoe I have worn, the TRUE Tour has created a completely different category of golf shoe. True Linkswear has asked us to "feel the course" in its marketing campaigns, and we do just that in ultimate comfort, thanks to the lower profile, sock-fit liner, and what True calls its TPU Barefoot Platform. ($159)
Official site |
|