PREVIEW: Callaway Apparel - Fall 2018

by SPYZINGER and Leah Gruber, Platinum Tees
Photographer: Beth Coburn, bc fotos
Location: Eagle Valley Golf Course, Woodbury, Minnesota 
This past August, I had the opportunity to return to the PGA Fashion Show in Las Vegas.  The annual gathering in the desert is more of a boutique than it’s bigger brother held in Orlando.  This affords the opportunity to spend quality time with some of the most respected apparel brands in the game.  I always make a point to stop and visit with our friends from Callaway Apparel to see what’s new and different with their offerings.

At the Callaway booth this year, things felt different.  There was a genuine buzz of excitement on the show floor when the reps were presenting their product.  Callaway Apparel, under licensing partnership with Perry Ellis, has always produced quality pieces.  However, with the spring and summer deliveries of 2018, I got the sense Callaway no longer wanted to [just] offer clothing options with their logo on the sleeve.  They wanted to make a statement with their apparel offerings in much of the same way their R & D team does with their equipment over on Rutherford Road.  I left the booth with the sense they wanted to be an industry leader in this space.  To be quite frank with you, I believe they’re doing just that.

Weather Series

A major focus for Callaway Apparel for 2018 is within their outerwear pieces.  They felt as though there was room for improvement in this line and wanted to compete with some of the most respected names in this category.  The men’s Thermal Performance Quilted Jacket is one of my favorites from this line.  It features lightweight insluation with “Swing-Tech,” which is a stretchy fabric under the arms and back to allow freedom of movement during the golf swing.  The magnetic zipper closure is just a remarkable design and fun to use!  A great outerwear piece that transitions well off the course.

The Water-Repellant 1/4 Zip is another well thought out piece from Callaway. It’s designed as a thermal layering piece that’s warm and soft.  Additionally, this piece of outwear is also designed to be water-repellant.  This is essential for cool fall days with off and on light drizzle.  This sounds like almost every fall day and Minnesota, and it allows you to stay dry without adding the bulk of another top-layer jacket.

The Women’s Thermore Jacket also features Swing-Tech along with Thermore insulation.  Thermore is a synthetic alternative to down that has been around since 1972.  It is said to be warmer, lighter, yet more durable than traditional down.

Thermal Performance Quilted Jacket (Caviar)

Quilted Thermore Jacket (Caviar)

Water-Repellant Dual Action 1/4 Zip Pullover (Medium Grey Heather)

Fit

Callaway examined the fit of their apparel in 2018 and refined their sizing accordingly.  In the past, Callaway Apparel has been about one to two sizes larger than what was normal for the size on the Tag.  Callaway has always been considered to have the classic American fit.  Although the new sizing is not slim fit by any means, but it has been tailored a bit and really does fit more true to the sizing on the tag.  The do also offer big and tall sizes as well as plus sizes in the women’s line.  Callaway is one of the only brands in golf that caters to any build of golfer, male or female.

Opti-Dri Shadow Striped Polo (Bright White)
17” Fast Track Skort (Dazzling Blue)

Cooling Mock Polo (Bright White)
17” Fast Track Skort (Dazzling Blue)
Halo Golf Shoes

Ventilated Textured Block Polo (Caviar) 
5-Pocket Pant with Active Stretch Band (Caviar)
La Grange Golf Shoes (White/Black)
For the past five years or so, Callaway has been focused on bringing Callaway back to foundation on which they were established by Ely.  Demonstratively superior, and pleasingly different.  For 2018, the Callaway portfolio of products is one of the most comprehensive and all-inclusive in the game.