Vintage Womens Golf Fashion Looks To Recreate Today

Tired of the same old golf polos? Do you want to bring unique style to the fairway?

You’re seeing classic looks everywhere. Vintage women’s golf fashion is a style genre celebrating the iconic attire from the 1920s to the 1980s. You want to try it but don’t know where to start.

Vintage women’s golf fashion refers to the classic attire worn by female golfers from the 1920s to the 1980s. It’s gaining popularity for its timeless style that offers an elegant alternative to modern sportswear. This guide will show you how to recreate these iconic looks today.

Why Is Everyone Talking About Vintage Golf Fashion?

There’s a growing buzz around classic women’s golf wear, and for good reason. It’s more than just old-fashioned outfits; it’s a return to timeless elegance and individuality. In a sea of modern technical fabrics, retro golf outfits for ladies offer a chance to stand out and connect with the rich history of the game. The golf course has always been a social setting, and fashion has played a huge role in its story.

From the functional-yet-feminine looks of the 1940s to the bold confidence of the 1970s, each era has a distinct personality. Exploring vintage golf ideas isn’t about wearing a costume. It’s about drawing inspiration from iconic historical eras to create a look that’s both chic and personal. For the style-conscious modern golfer, this is the ultimate way to express personal style while honoring the traditions of the sport.

7 Iconic Vintage Womens Golf Fashion Looks to Recreate

Ready for some serious style inspiration? We’ve curated a lookbook of iconic ladies vintage golf attire from seven distinct decades. This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a practical guide. For each era, we’ll break down the key pieces, offer modern styling tips, and show you how to build a retro golf look that’s both authentic and perfectly playable for a round in 2025.

1. The 1920s: Flapper Finesse on the Fairway

Pin this Gatsby-inspired golf look to your ‘Classic Style’ board!

Outfit Pieces:

• Dropped-Waist Dress: Look for a simple linen or cotton dress with a pleated skirt that falls just below the knee. A sleeveless or cap-sleeve style is ideal.
• Cloche Hat: A classic felt cloche hat that sits low on the forehead is essential for this look.
• Long Cardigan: A lightweight, longline cardigan sweater, often in a contrasting color.
• Argyle Knee-High Socks: Find a pair in a classic diamond pattern to wear with your shoes.
• T-Strap or Oxford Shoes: Two-toned spectator shoes or simple T-strap flats complete the footwear.

Styling Tips:

1. Choose a dress in a light, neutral color like cream, beige, or pale blue for an authentic feel.
2. Position the cloche hat correctly—it should be pulled down to just above your eyebrows.
3. Layer the long cardigan over the dress, leaving it open to show the dress’s silhouette.
4. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns; a subtle pinstripe on the dress can work beautifully with argyle socks.

Pro-Tip: For actual play, seek out a modern “tennis dress” with a dropped waist and moisture-wicking fabric to get the 1920s silhouette with 2025 performance.

2. The 1930s: Understated Elegance & The Rise of Knickers

Save this iconic knickers and sweater vest combo for a true vintage vibe!

Outfit Pieces:

• Golf Knickers: The star of the show. Look for a pair in tweed, wool, or a sturdy cotton twill that fastens below the knee.
• Crisp Collared Blouse: A simple, long-sleeved button-up shirt in white or a light pastel.
• Argyle Sweater Vest: A fine-gauge knit vest with a classic argyle pattern is the perfect layering piece.
• Knee-High Socks: Choose solid-colored ribbed socks that coordinate with your vest.
• Tweed Flat Cap: Also known as a newsboy or ivy cap, this adds a touch of authenticity.

Styling Tips:

1. Ensure your knickers have a classic, slightly bloused fit over the knee—they shouldn’t be tight like capri pants.
2. Tuck the blouse neatly into the waistband of the knickers for a clean line.
3. Layer the sweater vest over the blouse, making sure the collar of the blouse is neatly arranged.
4. Pair with sturdy leather oxford or brogue shoes for a practical and period-correct look.

Lesson Learned: Authentic wool knickers can be restrictive. Modern versions made with stretch-twill fabric offer the same look with far greater freedom for your golf swing.

3. The 1940s: Wartime Practicality & A-Line Skirts

Pin this practical and pretty 1940s golf skirt look!

Outfit Pieces:

• High-Waisted A-Line Skirt: Look for a skirt in a durable fabric like wool or twill, preferably in a plaid or tartan pattern. It should sit at your natural waist and end just at or below the knee.
• Peter Pan Collar Blouse: A simple, short-sleeved blouse with a rounded collar adds a touch of femininity.
• Button-Up Cardigan: A simple, fitted cardigan that can be worn buttoned up or open.
• Ankle Socks: Simple white or cream-colored bobby socks.
• Saddle Shoes or Loafers: Classic two-toned saddle shoes are perfect, but simple leather loafers also work well.

Styling Tips:

1. The key to the 1940s silhouette is the defined waist. Always tuck your blouse into the high-waisted skirt.
2. A thin leather belt can further accentuate the waistline.
3. For a colder day, layer the cardigan over the blouse and button it up completely for a polished look.
4. This look is more understated; stick to classic patterns and solid colors rather than brights.

Pro-Tip: While wool skirts are authentic, modern golf skorts in a plaid pattern offer hidden shorts and stretch fabric, making them infinitely more practical for playing 18 holes.

4. The 1950s: The Ultimate Country Club Classic

Save this perfect 1950s preppy look for a classic day on the course!

Outfit Pieces:

• Pleated Skort or Skirt: A high-waisted, sharply pleated skirt or skort in a pastel color like pink, baby blue, or mint green is the cornerstone of this look.
• Collared Polo Shirt: A classic, fitted short-sleeve polo shirt in white or a coordinating pastel.
• Cashmere Cardigan: A soft, fitted cardigan sweater, often draped over the shoulders.
• White Ankle Socks: Crisp, white, folded-over ankle socks are a must.
• Saddle Shoes: The iconic black-and-white (or navy-and-white) saddle shoes.

Styling Tips:

1. The polo shirt should be tucked cleanly into the high-waisted skort.
2. For the ultimate preppy touch, pop the collar of your polo shirt.
3. Instead of wearing the cardigan, tie it loosely around your neck or drape it over your shoulders.
4. A simple string of pearls or a silk scarf tied around the neck adds a perfect finishing touch.

Pro-Tip: Many modern golf brands sell high-performance pleated skorts. This is the easiest vintage look to recreate with fully functional, modern golf apparel.

5. The 1960s: The Mod Revolution Hits the Green

Love bold color? Pin this fun and freeing 1960s Mod golf look!

Outfit Pieces:

• A-Line Shift Dress: The silhouette is key. Look for a sleeveless or short-sleeved dress with an A-line shape that ends above the knee. Bold color-blocking or geometric prints are perfect.
• Classic Golf Visor: A simple, often plastic, golf visor in white or a coordinating bright color.
• Short White Gloves: Wrist-length gloves in leather or cotton add a polished touch.
• Knee-High Socks (Optional): For a true Mod look, pair the dress with matching knee-high socks.
• Simple, Low-Profile Shoes: Think classic, simple sneakers like Keds or a similar low-profile golf shoe.

Styling Tips:

1. Embrace bold, bright colors. Think tangerine orange, hot pink, lime green, and stark white.
2. Keep the rest of the look simple; the dress should be the statement piece.
3. A bouffant hairstyle or a sleek bob, held back with a headband, perfectly complements the outfit.
4. Makeup can be part of the look—think a classic cat-eye eyeliner and a pale lipstick.

Lesson Learned: Finding true vintage 60s golf dresses is rare. Look for modern ‘sleeveless golf dresses’ in bold colors and you’ll find many options with high-tech fabrics that capture the Mod spirit.

6. The 1970s: Bold Polyester & Fitted Silhouettes

Ready for a bold retro look? Save this 70s golf outfit idea!

Outfit Pieces:

• Fitted Polo with Large Collar: The quintessential 70s shirt. Look for a knit polo with a slim fit and an oversized, pointed “dagger” collar.
• High-Waisted Trousers or Shorts: Pants were often flared or bootcut, while shorts were short. Look for polyester fabric in bright colors or bold patterns like houndstooth or plaid.
• Terry Cloth Visor: A soft, absorbent terry cloth visor was a popular and practical accessory.
• Golf Shoes with Tassels (Kiltie): Many 70s golf shoes featured a decorative fringed leather panel over the laces.

Styling Tips:

1. The fit is everything: tops should be tight, and trousers should be high-waisted.
2. Don’t be shy with color combinations. Think green and yellow, or brown and orange.
3. Unbutton the top two buttons of the polo and spread the large collar wide over your shoulders or a sweater.
4. Feathered hair and oversized sunglasses complete the 70s vibe perfectly.

Pro-Tip: While authentic 70s polyester isn’t breathable, many modern golf brands are bringing back retro patterns and large collars on high-performance, moisture-wicking fabrics.

7. The 1980s: Preppy Power & Pastel Palettes

Pop that collar! Pin this awesome 80s preppy golf outfit.

Outfit Pieces:

• Pastel Polo Shirt: A classic pique polo shirt in a pastel shade like pink, mint, or lavender is essential.
• Pleated Khaki Shorts or Skirt: High-waisted, pleated “mom” shorts or a simple khaki skirt.
• White Turtleneck: A thin, white turtleneck for the iconic layering look.
• Cable-Knit Sweater: A classic sweater in white, navy, or another pastel, to be tied around the shoulders.
• Slouch Socks and Sneakers: White athletic socks pushed down and worn with simple white sneakers.

Styling Tips:

1. The signature 80s move is layering the polo shirt over the turtleneck.
2. Always pop the collar of the polo shirt for maximum effect.
3. Don’t wear the sweater—tie it perfectly around your shoulders or waist.
4. A high ponytail tied with a scrunchie is the perfect hairstyle to complete this look.

Lesson Learned: This look can feel bulky for a real golf game. For a modern take, skip the turtleneck layer and just drape a lightweight performance sweater over your shoulders.

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Vintage Golf Style

Feeling inspired? Here’s a quick-reference chart to help you compare the decades and decide which classic women’s golf wear speaks to your personal style.

Decade	The Vibe	Key Garment	Modern Tip
1920s	Flapper Finesse	Dropped-Waist Dress	Look for modern tennis dresses
1930s	Understated & Practical	Tweed Knickers	Choose stretch-twill for comfort
1940s	Feminine & Strong	Plaid A-Line Skirt	Opt for a modern plaid skort
1950s	Preppy & Polished	Pleated Pastel Skort	Easiest look to buy new
1960s	Bold & Youthful	A-Line Shift Dress	Find modern color-block golf dresses
1970s	Confident & Colorful	Flared Polyester Trousers	Seek retro prints on new fabrics
1980s	Powerful & Layered	Pastel Polo & Khakis	Drape a sweater, skip bulky layers

FAQs About vintage womens golf fashion

Where is the best place to buy authentic vintage golf clothes?

For authentic vintage golf clothing, online marketplaces like Etsy and eBay are your best resources. Use specific search terms like “1950s golf dress” or “women’s wool knickers.” Be sure to check seller reviews and always compare your personal measurements to the item’s listed measurements, as vintage sizing is very different from modern sizing.

Can you actually play golf comfortably in vintage outfits?

It depends on the era and fabric. While looks from the 1950s onwards are often quite comfortable, earlier styles with wool or non-stretch fabrics can be restrictive. For serious play, the best approach is to buy modern, vintage-inspired reproductions made with performance fabrics that offer a classic look with contemporary comfort and mobility.

How do you create a vintage look without it looking like a costume?

The key is to mix vintage with modern pieces. Anchor your outfit with one great retro item, like a 1970s dagger-collar polo or a plaid 1940s skirt. Then, pair it with modern, well-fitting basics like contemporary golf trousers, a simple skort, and comfortable, modern golf shoes. This makes the look feel intentional and stylish, not like a costume.

Final Thoughts

Which era of vintage golf fashion is your favorite? Whether you’re drawn to the preppy polish of the 50s or the bold confidence of the 70s, bringing a touch of history to your game is a fantastic way to stand out and connect with the timeless style of golf. The best part is that there are no rules—you can go for a head-to-toe authentic look or simply use accessories to give a nod to a bygone era. It’s all about having fun and expressing your personality.

Let me know in the comments which vintage look you’d love to try on the course

Last update on 2025-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API