If you're tired of golfing in last year's faded T and trousers with grass stains and holes in the knees, you may be interested in Jack Nicklaus' new line of golf apparel. Nicklaus, whose illustrious golfing career spans three decades, has won 98 tournaments around the world. Now that he is playing less, he is expending much of his energy upon his clothing line, which features a world-class collection of knit shirts, trousers, shorts, vests and outerwear for fall 1996.
The first stop on the Nicklaus apparel tour is Loch Lomond, an elegant collection inspired by ancient silks, dimensional designs of paisley and medallion prints, stained glass and vertical foulard jacquards in vintage shades of claret, balsam and sapphire. It consists of classic plaids and houndstooth checks, generously proportioned shirts harmonized with subtly sophisticated, staggered cable-button, front-knit vests and pebble-stitch, long-sleeve polo sweaters with banded collar and cuffs.The Sherwood collection employs the colors of golf - navy, bordeaux, suede and pine - in polo shirts blended with crisp, clean patterns in circle and mini-glen plaid prints, windowpane houndstooth jacquards, fine-line and pencil stripes and zigzag argyles. Destined to complement these knits on the green are updated traditional French rib and pinpoint pullover vests, crewneck sweaters and long-sleeve polo shirts with banded collar and cuffs.
The Elk River collection is geared for high performance, offering the best of both worlds in the ultimate golf shirt with the comfort and coolness of pure cotton and the increased durability and drapeability of tencel. The colors are khaki/gray birdseye-grid jacquard, washed navy and khaki glen plaid houndstooth and diamond argyle patterns.
Nicklaus' Hammond Creek collection was influenced by the European runways. Using contemporary designs, it presents a distinctly modern edge, blending trend with tradition in twill plaid and herringbone tweed jacquards, watercolor-stripe paisley and tossed-foulard prints on jersey.
Other shirts have a textured diamond and golf motif with tweed grounds on interlocked and textured mosaic stripes printed on pique. The colors vary from shades of sage, cement and petrol to ivory and ink.
Nicklaus trousers come in 100 percent microfiber with drapel coating, 50 percent pima cotton/50 percent wrinkle free prospin or cotton corduroy and gabardine. The relaxed pleats should look and feel great on the fairway.
Women also have much to choose from in the Nicklaus line. Nicklaus for Women golf sportswear is labled by the company as "modern minimalism" - redefined classics and easy-going elegance. The Cabo Del Sol collection offers elegant neutrals combined with a splash of aquamarine and candle. Natural heathered yarns sculptured in cut pique solid and antique paisley printed polos mix and match easily with a broad range of neutral bottoms. From mini glen plaid polos to pique sleeveless wovens, all shirts harmonize beautifully with each sweater offering of the season.
Also for women, Nicklaus has introduced comfortable and relaxed trousers designed especially for golf. Design details include single reverse pleats and a side elastic waistband for ease of movement, with front extension tab, belt loops and off-seam pockets.
The softest fabrics are used in not only the trousers but also the pleated shorts, made with 100 percent microfiber in solid navy, khaki and doeskin, as well as multicolored windowpane twill, glen plaid and navy tailored stripe patterns.
In the Aspen Glen collection, women can find shirts with the stripe wing collar crested woven and the solid pique sleeveless polo in tones of navy, khaki and doeskin. Nicklaus adds a twist of geometric style with an elongated argyle crewneck short-sleeve sweater and coordinating button front, long-sleeve cardigan.
The Nicklaus flyfront baseball jacket with side pockets, banded cuffs and bottom links fashion with function in the Cabo Del Sol and Aspen Glen collections. Coordinating caps, visors and socklets have become signature accessories, making each lifestyle complete.
The Nicklaus line is a sophisticated and fashionable contribution to golf.
If both women and men take to it, the links will be populated with golfers who are almost too well-dressed for their own good. It remains to be seen whether high-style clothing will actually improve anyone's game - but what does it hurt to try?