Fashion Insider: Talking simple, solid style with Dustin Johnson

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Dustin Johnson likes his outfits simple and clean -- it's his power game that is loud and flashy.

Years from now, when we look back on the 2010 season, golf fans will likely remember the trials and tribulations of one player, and the style with which he dealt with the vagaries of golf -- Dustin Johnson.

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Want more of The Man in the Black Hat? Visit his golf fashion blog, chapeaunoirgolf.com.

Prodigiously long off the tee (Tiger Woods called him "stupid long" after playing a practice round with him leading up to the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach), Johnson lead the Open heading into the final round before getting out of rhythm in his opening holes and posting a couple of big numbers. Those opening holes proved costly for Johnson, as his bid for a first major became an afterthought on the closing nine.

Then at the PGA Championship in August, when Johnson absentmindedly grounded his club in a bunker on the 72nd hole, his strength of character was evident as he took a two-stroke penalty for the offense before signing his card, rendering him out of playoff contention.

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Johnson cuts a particularly athletic figure in his apparel from adidas Golf, an ultra-technical brand that certainly helped Johnson stay cool under duress in 2010, thanks to the technologies the company embeds in its fabrics.

When The Man In The Black Hat had the chance to have a virtual chat with Johnson, he thought it high time to delve in to issues of apparel scripting, and how a garment can make a difference when it comes to on course performance.

Black Hat: When you arrive at a tournament at the start of the week, do you always know what you're going to be wearing, and when? If yes for some events and no for others, which way do you prefer it?

Dustin Johnson: I am only scripted for the majors, all other events I am picking out my own outfits. I like to choose what I wear because you have to look good to play good. I prefer nothing too flashy and like all my clothes pressed, no wrinkles, that coordinate to be one solid outfit. Usually I just put a bunch of things in my suitcase and choose as the week goes on. I definitely have my favorite sweaters, shirts and pants that seem to hit in the rotation more often.

Black Hat: How often do you meet with the adidas Golf team to get the lowdown on what they have planned for you? Not that you'd ever have to invoke it, but do you have veto power if they wanted to put you in something that just didn't work for you style wise?

Dustin Johnson: I come to Carlsbad two or three times a year. I'm usually working on equipment but spend time with the apparel and footwear guys to talk about the next season. I love to pick out my favorite things so I can rack up a few extra for the year. I actually do have "veto" power, as not all things fit my style, so it's cool that I love everything that I'm wearing.

Black Hat: Most fans are under the impression that guys on Tour are "one and done" with what they wear - that is, you pull a cellophane wrapped shirt from your locker, wear it that day and then it heads off into oblivion with those missing socks that dryers eat. Is that true for shirts, pants, hats, shoes, belts? If not, how long do you keep your gear in rotation?

Dustin Johnson: I usually keep things going for a few months but adidas Golf does keeps me hooked up so I do always wear the latest styles and colors. I do love that part. Black Hat: In sports where guys wear uniforms, most have a certain way of making their uni their own -- like in baseball one guy might wear stirrups while another guy might wear his pants pajama-style all the way down to the tops of his shoes, be it because they like it that way or because of some sort of superstition. Do you have particular preferences or any superstitions when it comes to the clothes your wear and how your wear them?

Dustin Johnson: I don't have any superstitions but I do wear TaylorMade baseball caps, like the ones from the MLB.

Black Hat: What is it that has made adidas Golf your go-to apparel of choice from head to toe?

Dustin Johnson: I have been an adidas Golf guy since college. It works because I can wear in all weather conditions, keeping me cool in the summer and warm in the winter months. For colder tournaments I have outerwear that allows me to perform in serious wind and rain. The shirts are cool, easy to wear and don't feel any restrictions. They're movable and not sticky. The footwear is phenomenal. All my shoes are comfortable and stable, and they look awesome! You can open up a fresh pair and wear them straight out of the box, no need to break them in.

Black Hat Ticker

Adidas Golf has a cool contest on the go, one in which you can win the outfit Dustin Johnson wore to victory at the 2010 BMW Championship in September, along with a TaylorMade R9 SuperTri Driver, and a $250 shop.adidasgolf.com gift card. The company hasn't left the ladies out of the loop, as Paula Creamer's U.S. Women's Open Champion outfit, a TaylorMade R9 SuperTri Driver with pink shaft fit to Paula's specs, and a $250 shop.adidasgolf.com gift card are also up for grabs.

Simply head over to adidas Golf on Facebook, and click to 'Like' adidas Golf. Then, in 250 characters or less, let adidas Golf know why you deserve to win the one of the grand prize packages. Entries will be judged by Dustin and Paula themselves, and you'll receive an exclusive discount code for shop.adidasgolf.com just for entering.

For a golf fashion writer, the official off-season might well be the best time of the year, as players with expiring apparel contracts, or those without apparel contracts, get into new duds for the upcoming season, as was the case last week with Rory McIlroy, who signed on with uber-tech brand Oakley. Perhaps more known for their line of sunglasses, McIlroy is the centerpiece in Oakley's plan to raise the company's profile in the golf world. "Our partnership with Rory is a deliberate step toward Oakley becoming a recognized and respected golf performance apparel brand," said Scott Bowers, SVP of Global Marketing and Brand Development at Oakley.

There was a bit of a missing link in reference to the Royal Albartross Golf Shoe last week in this space, as there was an inability to support the worthy cause in question (Bob's For Good Foundation). Happily, a link is now available, as the handcrafted Mooka shoe is now available for pre-order.

If you've been waiting to get your mittens on a pair of TRUE Linkswear shoes, you can now find the Ryan Moore specials at fivePGA TOUR Superstores in the U.S. -- three in Georgia, one in Arizona and one in Texas. TRUEs are also available in Canada, at Golf Town.

The Man in the Black Hat is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.