Callaway Golf has long been a player in the apparel industry, producing a full slate of options from basic polos to advanced outerwear. While they’ve always produced solid styles that matched nicely with current tastes, the company felt they had room to grow in the premium space. Accordingly, they are releasing a new line, simply named Callaway Premium.
What do we mean by premium? After all, it’s a broad term that is prone to abuse by overzealous marketing departments. In the case of the Callaway Premium line, it’s pretty simple. The company wants this collection to represent the apex of their apparel line, using high-end materials and designs that showcase the most attention to detail possible. The company believes Callaway Premium is their “finest expression of craftsmanship, materials, and technical innovation designed for the player seeking the best in form and function.
As with all Callaway apparel, the Callaway Premium line is designed and produced in a partnership with Perry Ellis. “We are excited to bring the exclusive Callaway Premium collection to market,” said Oscar Feldenkreis, President and CEO of Perry Ellis International. “It’s a beautiful, luxurious and carefully curated collection for the dedicated golf aficionado who aspires to wear the finest high-performance apparel, both on and off the course. This unparalleled luxury apparel collection represents the perfect fusion of function and fashion.”
Still, when you are forced to take away the hyperbole, it’s important to look at the design, construction, and details that make a line premium. So, let’s dive into what Callaway and Perry Ellis have done here.
Four different polo options will be available: Premium Heathered, Premium Fineline, Premium Fashion Stripe, and Premium Jacquard. The Premium Heather will be priced at $88, and the Premium Fineline, Fashion Stripe and Jacquard at $108. All styles will be available in sizes S-XXXL.
The Fashion Stripe, seen above and in detail below, is an elegant take on the classic golf shirt. The blend of materials, called Drirelease, is 80% polyester, 17% cotton, and 3% elastane. With moisture wicking properties, the company says it dries up to four times faster than a standard cotton shirt. What’s most exceptional about this blended material shirt is just how much it doesn’t feel like a blend. It’s incredibly soft and light and almost seems to have a delicate terrycloth cotton feel to it. The fit feels true to size, if not just a bit on the roomy side. The mid-length sleeves have plenty of space to ensure comfort swinging a golf club.
Each polo in the collection features alloy buttons that are color-matched to the shirt. They are thin, easy to manipulate, and will last forever. In addition, Collar Stand, a lightweight stretch infused into the collar, ensures that they are structured enough to stay firmly in place without feeling harsh around the neck. Lastly, a small Chevron “bug” label is affixed to the right sleeve of each polo. What makes this last feature especially attractive is that it identifies the garments as Callaway’s without being too conspicuous.
The Candy Pink Premium Jacquard shown above is a completely different polo option. It’s 100% polyester construction seems much more akin to what we expect in a modern golf shirt, but again it diverges in a pleasant way. Using premium material and a high-gauge knit process, the fabric is positively silky to the touch. It’s incredibly lightweight and the polar opposite to run-of-the-mill performance fabric that can often feel like spandex. Callaway has incorporated a product they call Polygiene into the fabric, which is “an all-natural silver chloride found in soil and water that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria.” Rather than being a coating, Polygiene is part of the yarn itself, meaning it will last the entire life of the garment.
In terms of outwear, Callaway Premium offers the Premium Cashmere Sweater, Premium Crewneck Sweater, and the Premium High Gauge Quilted Jacket. There is also a quarter-zip with a semi-auto locking nickel zipper. While none of these items are meant for all-weather performance, they will be perfect for chilly air, whether it’s a crisp fall morning round or evening cocktails on the patio with your playing partners.
We sampled the Crewneck, a smart looking sweater made of a blend of 76% cotton, 13% cashmere, and 11% polyamide (nylon). Again, you must feel it to believe it, but the incredibly soft material felt marvelous in hand and on the skin. Ribbed cuffs and hems have been refined so that they recover better after wear, meaning they’ll continue to hold warmth in for a long time. In addition, the shoulder areas have been built for a superior range of motion, ensuring that the Crewneck functions as well as it looks and feels.
The Premium Cashmere Sweater is priced at $348, while the Premium Crewneck Sweater is $178, and the Premium High Gauge Quilted Jacket is $198. All outwear is available in size S-XXXL.
Rounding out the collection are Callaway Premium shorts and pants, offered in the Caviar, Night Sky, Silver Lining color options. These are purely technical fabrics that will provide breathability, moisture management, and performance. The five-pocket shorts are mid-length and have just a bit of stretch, making them a comfortable fit. Again, the materials are soft and silky to the touch, with subtle Callaway branding.
The shorts are priced at $98 and the pants at $118, with both offered in size 30-44.
Details
- Callaway Premium apparel is available now.
- More information and ordering at callawayapparel.com
