Skorts, named after the combination of skirts and shorts were fashion garments created in the sixties but in recent times have been adopted in sportswear to cope with the demands of a female athlete.

According to Wikipedia, ‘a skort is a pair of shorts with a fabric panel resembling a skirt covering the front, or a skirt with a pair of integral shorts hidden underneath’.

‘Montgomery Ward claimed in their 1959 Spring/Summer catalog to have invented the garment they called a skort. It was a short knife or accordion pleated skirt with an attached bloomer underneath. Years later, the term was applied to a pair of shorts with a flap of fabric across the front (and often the back) making the garment appear to be a skirt. In recent years, the term skort has been given to any skirt with an attached pair of shorts.’

Skorts provide more freedom to do activities like bike riding, walking, hockey, tennis, and golf. They give the appearance of skirts with a functional addition of ‘bike’ shorts underneath to maintain an element of modesty and comfort.

Golf fashion through the ages has changed dramatically. From the very modest and totally impractical fashion which include long corseted skirts and high-necked dresses to high waisted trousers and jackets and finally more tailored pants and shorts.

We have seen the skirt develop in recent years to become shorter, made of softer fabric, prettier designs and include the necessary built-in short.

Hockey, netball and tennis players were first to take on the skort and now golfers love it too.

The skort provides comfort and functionality while still keeping the skirt in fashion. While many golfers still enjoy wearing shorts or three-quarter trousers in summer, the skort has risen in popularity due to the shortening length of skirts.

Skorts enable golfers to wear a variety of lengths and styles. Although the straight skort will remain a staple in every golfer’s wardrobe, we know that more and more ladies are opting for varied style and fit.

The skorts are also getting more practical in that the shorts have pockets for balls, tees, and gloves.

Following our friends in the tennis world, we are wearing everything now from flips and pleats to ruffles and slits, even wraparound or asymmetrical designs are coming through.

Some of our favorite sporty skort styles

Ruffle Skort

Made fashionable on the tennis court and provides a pretty and feminine look. Layers are flattering and cover the fitted built-in shorts.

Pros – feminine, pretty, hides lumps and bumps due to layers.
Cons – needs to be a shorter length to work.

Flip Skort

Double-layer skort with a pretty flip bottom section. Flattering style and smooths down with the outer layer while providing a pretty ‘flip’ bottom.

Pros – flattering style due to double layer and slightly longer length possible with flip bottom.
Cons – bottom flip section can flap a little in the wind.

Pleated Skort

These can be box pleats, accordion pleats or event stitched down pleats – but all provide that feminine look while keeping a sporty style to the skirt.

Pros – provides extra movement and shape with the pleats, especially when on the rear of the skort.
Cons – wind can affect the skort but fortunately, you should have a snug pair of built-in shorts underneath!

Straight Skort

The staple of all skorts and one that every girl should own. These can be long or short with or without slits on the side.

Pros – classic in style and functional too, can be worn in a longer length for those who aren’t brave enough to go short. Suitable at those traditional golf courses or when you want to transfer from golf to the shops!
Cons – there aren’t any except to say that some golfers only own straight skorts – maybe it is time to try something a little different.

If you want to look great and feel sporty yet feminine, the skort is a great option to step out in style on the golf course.

There are so many styles, fabrics, lengths, and colors to wear but our greatest tip is to choose a style that suits you, your body shape and your needs. Be a little daring and try one of the more creative designs like the ruffle or flip skort and you might just be surprised at how good it feels to wear.

Helen and Shannan
Red Belly Golf

Australian golfers Shannan Webber and Helen Haynes founded exciting ladies golf wear brand, Red Belly Golf named after the many iconic red-bellied black snakes found on their home course. Their mission is to bring modern and unique golf apparel to fairways around the world. Based on the renowned Stonecutters Ridge Golf estate in Western Sydney, the golfing friends have combined their love of golf with fashion – the results are a collection that is both feminine and sporty.

Shannan comes from a large golfing family. Her young son is an avid and aspiring golfer, who has inspired her to create a junior range. Shannan is the creative driving force behind the style of the collections.

Helen has played golf for over 20 years, starting the game soon after a kidney transplant ended her promising tennis career. Golf gave her the motivation to get fit and well again, travel the world and introduced her to her professional golfing husband.

Helen and Shannan have created a stand-out clothing brand for women who love golf and want to look great and feel more confident. They are proud of their Aussie designs and hope the collection attracts more women to the great game of golf.

Visit Red Belly Golf online at www.redbellygolf.com and follow Helen and Shannan on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter