How to Dress Country Club Casual - Women

Though each country club has different standards, the following provides some general guidelines for casual club dressing. For more information, contact your club's concierge.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hosiery
• Skirts
• Women's Casual Tops
• Women's Causal Pants
• Women's Closed-toed Shoes
• Women's Dress Coats
• Women's Dress Pants
• Women's Dress Shirts
• Women's Dress Shoes
• Women's Sandals
• dresses and skirts

1. Feel free to wear in the clubhouse whatever outfit you'd wear on the golf course or tennis courts: tennis skirts, sneakers or even shorts are fine.

2. Wear a casual dress, trousers or a skirt that is knee-length or longer for brunches, luncheons and casual dinners (before 7 p.m.). Light fabrics such as linen, silk, cotton and wool gabardine are best for day wear.

3. Observe a stricter dress code for dinners or events after 7 p.m. Wear dresses, slacks and skirts of dressier fabrics and colors appropriate for the season and time of day.

4. Choose accessories on the basis of practicality during the day. Carry a tote large enough to accommodate your needs for the day - suntan lotion, scarf, bottled water, compact, your day planner and a pocketbook.

5. Scale evening accessories down to a simple handbag with room enough for lipstick, cash, keys, a cellular phone and other absolute necessities.

6. Keep jewelry to a minimum - a strand of pearls, pearl earrings or diamond studs are great for casual wear. Save your more imposing jewelry for formal affairs.

7. Wear shoes appropriate to the time of year, time of day and occasion. Leather sandals and loafers are acceptable for daytime events, while pumps and evening shoes are best for events after 7 p.m.

Tips & Warnings

• It's always a plus to have your accessories well coordinated, but the days of matching hat, bag and shoes are fast declining. Feel free to mix and match accessories as you see fit.
• Wear sportswear-inspired pieces, but don't go overboard. Leave the sneakers, spandex, Lycra and cleats in the locker room.
• Some clubs prefer that women refrain from wearing trousers. Check with your club's concierge.

on 1/31/2006 When hitting the tennis courts, I prefer to wear white tennis shoes, a white skirt, and perhaps a navy blue pullover or jacket. One can never go wrong with navy and white! I used to choose slacks, but our Country Club recently decided that it's female members shouldn't be allowed such atrocities. But, for you free women out there, a nice khaki pant is just fabulous.

on 11/22/2005 For country club casual dressing, even at the last minute keep this list of things on hand:
1 pair black dress pants
1 crisp white blouse
1 light weight crewneck sweater
1 silky camisole
1 very good pair of black heels
1 light wrap (for summer evenings)
1 wool/silk blend jacket (for winter evenings)
1 great scarf
a couple of great pins
pearl studs
pearl necklace
nice watch
If you have all of the above you can put together a few good outfits.

on 11/22/2005 Buy shorts in a light khaki color; they'll go with absolutely everything. Team them with a sleeveless collared polo shirt in either white, black, red or stripes. A white sweater will also coordinate with anything.