Golf fashion through the years has been a fascinating blend of tradition, innovation, and personal flair. From the tailored tweeds and flat caps of the early 1900s to the bold colors and performance fabrics dominating today’s fairways, the game has always had its own distinct style code. 

But at FITN, we believe history isn’t just meant to be admired—it’s meant to be reimagined. Our take on classic golf style honors the icons of the past while adding modern performance, unexpected color pairings, and that signature FITN twist that makes every piece as ready for a night out as it is for 18 holes.

The Early Days of Golf Style (1800s–1920s)

Imagine stepping onto a damp Scottish fairway in the 1890s. Your golf bag is heavy, the wind bites, and your old-time golf attire feels more like hunting gear than sportswear.

Early golfer fashion meant thick tweed jackets, waistcoats, collared shirts, and ties that practically dared you to try a full swing without choking.

Golfers often wore plus-fours (those knee-length baggy pants) with long socks and caps that shielded them from the mist. Functional? Sure—if your main goal was surviving the elements. Comfortable for 18 holes? Not so much.

These old golf outfits looked stately on a portrait wall, but every shot was a reminder that style didn’t always serve the swing.

Mid-Century Swing Style (1930s–1960s)

By the 1930s, golfers started loosening up—literally.

Fabrics got lighter, short-sleeved polos made their debut, and ties began to disappear from the course. Players like Bobby Jones and Ben Hogan ushered in a cleaner, more athletic look that finally considered comfort alongside tradition.

This was the era when golf fashion through the years took its first big step toward modern style. Slacks replaced knickers, and knits took over for wool.

You can picture a summer round in 1955: a crisp white polo, a cigarette tucked behind the ear, and slacks that might just double for dinner at the club. Golfers were finally dressing like athletes, not museum exhibits.

Looking to evoke a classic mid-century golf outfit? You can’t go wrong with our StrideFox Performance Polo. Well-fitted, crisp white, and discretely featuring our signature hand-stitched Fox in the Now logo. 

Pair it with some lightweight tailored pants for comfort, and you’ll be sporting stylish vintage golf attire that men and women will compliment non-stop. 

The Bold Era: 1970s–1980s

The 70s brought in a lot of colors, and that extended to golf as well. If the 1950s were about quiet elegance, the 1970s and 1980s were about making the fairway a runway.

70s golf attire introduced wide collars, bright plaids, and statement belts. By the time we hit the 80s golf attire era, pastels, argyle, and logo-heavy polos dominated.

If you’ve ever seen vintage golf attire men’s catalogs, you know the vibe: Seve Ballesteros in a deep V-neck, Payne Stewart rocking knickers and a flat cap, and entire foursomes looking like they coordinated with a box of highlighters. 

Call it bold, call it loud, but this chapter of golf fashion through the years gave the sport personality.

The Modern Polo Era: 1990s–Today

Golf style today is a different animal—lighter, sharper, and built for performance.

Moisture-wicking fabrics keep you cool, four-way stretch lets you go full Rory without a second thought, and clean lines make your outfit work as hard in the clubhouse as it does on the 18th.

Picture yourself stepping off the last green, sliding into a patio chair for post-round drinks, and still looking like the most put-together guy in the group. That’s modern golf fashion: performance first, style always.

At Fox in the Now, we’ve adopted modern fabrics and mixed them with classic looks and modern designs. We design polos that don’t just look good—they’re built for life on and off the course. 

Like our Foxmark Signature Polo in Black, which looks and feels modern while still keeping a classic silhouette. Or, if you aren’t afraid of big logos, our Stridefox Crest Polo in Red, which screams, “Yes, I shop at Fox in the Now, and I’m going to show you how this game is played.” 

Modern Fairway Style Starts With Fox in the Now

Golf fashion has gone from scratchy wool and strict tradition to effortless, versatile style. We’ve swapped ties for stretch polos and uncomfortable knickers for pants that can actually survive a backswing.

At Fox in the Now, we’re proud to carry golf’s modern legacy forward. Our polos are designed to perform on the course and turn heads off it—because the best style is the kind that doesn’t slow your game.

Ready to write your own chapter in golf fashion through the years? Check out our collection and step into the future of fairway style with Fox in the Now.

FAQs

Why did early golfers wear such heavy clothing?

Early golf was a cold-weather game played on windy Scottish links, so layers were survival gear, not style choices. Picture wool knickers, thick socks, and a scratchy cardigan while trying to swing in the drizzle—practical, but far from the performance fabrics we enjoy today. 

When did golf style start to show real personality?

The 1970s were the sport’s first real fashion rebellion. Wide collars, plaid trousers, and pastel cardigans transformed courses into color parades. 70s golf attire felt like disco wandered onto the fairway, and it shows.

Which decade had the boldest golf looks?

The 1980s, hands down. 80s golf attire went big with neon accents, graphic sweaters, and tour pros who weren’t afraid to look like they’d just stepped out of a music video. Imagine lining up a putt in head-to-toe coral or rocking a windbreaker that could signal traffic—subtlety just wasn’t invited.

How did golf fashion evolve in the 90s?

90s golf outfits were a pivot toward “athletic casual.” Out went the neon chaos; in came performance polos, pleated khakis, and early tech fabrics that let players move and breathe.

What inspired the move to today’s sleek, performance-first styles?

Comfort finally caught up with status. Golfers wanted apparel that could go from a misty morning drive to a sunny afternoon 18 without feeling like a costume change.