Florida style: How to dress for the Sunshine State

Sun, sea and sandtraps are on the agenda this March as three top events head to Florida. First up is the World Golf Championships - Cadillac Championship (3^rd-6^th) at the Trump National Doral in Miami, followed soon after by the USPGA Tour: Valspar Championship (10^th-13^th) at the Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead) in Palm Harbor. The USPGA Tour then moves to Orlando for the Arnold Palmer Invitational (17^th-20^th) at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge.

It’s time to dig out your summer clothes and get in the Sunshine State spirit with our guide to dressing to impress in Florida.

Get the right colours

Colour is big in Florida. With its love of everything Art Deco, pastel colours are hugely popular. Which is great for this season as dusty blues and subtle pinks will be everywhere in spring and summer.

Or, you could opt for some bold, bright primary colours to reflect the state’s blue seas or juicy oranges.

Polo shirts… in all colours

And there’s no better place to introduce colours than in your polo shirts.

Worn under a relaxed blue blazer with white chinos, a brightly coloured polo shirt can bring an outfit to life. Go for a single bright colour or a stripe with something dark and more subdued to soften the impact.
   

All white trousers

When it comes to trousers, white is the colour. Great for having a cocktail by the beach or stroll down the fairway, white or pale khakis and chinos can help offset brighter colours in your outfit. But, be warned, they need to be pristine. No blemishes or creases permitted.

The other popular option is, of course, shorts. If you’re heading to Florida to play, check the course’s own dress codes to see if shorts are acceptable attire. For example, Innisbrook allows shorts but asks that they be “at least 16 inches in length”. If you’re just going for the Florida look and aren’t planning on playing, we suggest white once again.

On the feet

The choice in golf shoes these days is almost as large as that of normal shoes. To match your chinos, we’d suggest some whites. Trainer-style is fine, as long as they’re in good condition. Otherwise we recommend plain leather shoes.

For after the game, switch to sandals – especially if you’re planning on hitting the beach. Though it’s getting more acceptable to wear sandals to the bars as well.
   

The right material

If you’re playing in hot climates like Florida, then breathable clothing is important. Light polo shirts with wicking technology are a must.

Worsted wool is also very popular in Florida as you retain the breathability of wool but in a lighter weight fabric. Expect to see plenty of worsted wool suits and blazers in the clubhouse.

If you go for cotton, look for a poly-cotton blend as the high humidity in Florida can cause plain cotton shirts to crease quickly.