Style guide: Local shopkeepers offer suggestions on what to wear to The Masters
Patrons travel from all across the globe to watch the world’s top golfers compete for a green jacket at Augusta National. However, many patrons may be wondering what is appropriate to wear to one of golf’s biggest matchups – the annual Masters Tournament.
Becky Jackson, owner of Gentry Mens Shop in Augusta, said Masters fashion – specifically at the Par 3 tournament – is not what it once was.
“It is so different from the way it was,” Jackson said. “Par 3 used to be a party and everybody dressed to the nines. Even though we only got to go [to the tournament] for one day, we would plan our outfits for every day of Masters week, just to wear to work.”
As a teenager and into her 20s, Jackson said she remembers dressing up for the event.
“We would have on espadrilles and now everybody’s got on tennis shoes. It's really different,” she said. “It's not the fashion party it used to be, but local people are still dressed up at Par 3.”
Here are some tips on what to wear to the 2023 Masters Tournament:
Save your feet, the course isn’t flat
Hannah Bassali, owner of The Swank Company in Augusta, said the course is very hilly and female patrons should keep that in mind when picking out shoes.
“I would definitely wear some sort of tennis shoe because there’s a lot of walking and it’s very hilly,” Bassali said. “You could try to wear something that’s a little more fashionable or you could just wear your favorite sneakers. I think no matter what, I would put comfort first as far as your feet go.”
Jackson said tennis shoes are common, but her shop has a lot of options for male patrons looking to elevate their look.
“[Men] usually wear some type of tennis shoe, but we have some great [dress] shoes that you can wear to the course like Florsheim, Johnston & Murphy and T.B. Phelps – all of them would be great. We also have a few Sebago [boat shoes] left.”
Dressing the part
Bassali, who has lived in Augusta since 2008 and has attended the tournament, said a summer dress or golf skirt would be appropriate for female patrons throughout the week.
For Par 3, Bassali said a maxi dress would be perfect for women looking to make a statement.
“A fun dress or cute romper would also be a great outfit to wear,” she said. “I love adding a straw hat to make sure you’re blocking the sun from your face and it also looks really cute.”
Jackson said men typically wear shorts and golf shirts to the event. However, she said sometimes they like to make a fashion statement as well.
“We’ll sell madras plaid pants or seersucker pants and shorts,” she said.
Bassali cautioned patrons to dress for the weather.
“I would also make sure to dress for the weather,” she said. “Sometimes it can be very hot. Sometimes it can be very cool. You might also want to bring a rain jacket.”
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What not to wear
Here are some requirements the Augusta National requires patrons to follow:
Appropriate clothing/shoes should be worn at all times;
Backpacks, bags and purses larger than 10” x 10” x 12” (in its natural state) are prohibited;
Golf shoes with metal spikes are prohibited; and,
Devices such as fitness tracking bands and electronic watches are permitted.
Shop local
Local patrons or visitors can visit Swank or Gentry for Masters-appropriate apparel and accessories.
Bassali said when buying for spring, Swank keeps the Masters top of mind.
“For the tournament, we try to have a selection of sundresses and we sell one jacket – called the Fillmore Jacket – that is a lightweight wind and rain jacket,” she said. “It’s very flattering and can be dressed up, but it’s very functional as well.”
Swank also has a Tee Time Collection, which features golf-related accessories.
“We always have some sort of golf earrings and we have tiny bags that you could bring on the course,” Bassali said.
Jackson said their biggest sellers are their hats.
“You have to have a hat for The Masters,” she said. “If the sun is out [and you don’t have a hat], you can get burned up.”
She added her shop has socks with golfers on them, fun shorts with palm trees, straw hats, caps, and high-quality golf shirts from Italy.
Jackson said they have even had some players’ wives shop there while in town.
“Gary Player’s wife would come in and buy hats from him,” she said.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: What to wear to The Masters: Local business owners weigh in
