20 Years Strong: Johnnie-O Apparel (Spring/Summer ’25)

Playing Through: Johnnie-O is one of the up & coming golf apparel brands. The SoCal vibes paired with East Coast inspiration have resulted in a brand that pairs incredible materials with great designs, patterns and colors. Following my first experience Johnnie-O’s offerings, it’s easy to see how their collection could become a leader in your (closet) clubhouse.

In the world of golf apparel, there are a near limitless number of brands. And while options are always a good thing, too many can be overwhelming and, in the worst cases, make it difficult to identify and identify some of the gems out there which can become a staple of your closet.

But what’s refreshing is finding a brand that has personality; that isn’t afraid and doesn’t shy away from being itself.

But that’s Johnnie-O, a brand that’s not bashful about being itself and, in the process, being different.

My friend that refuses to hit driver off the tee is ecstatic to see this pic.twitter.com/bSITErre8s

— Johnnie-O (@johnnieO) June 30, 2025

I think it’s important to note that prior to testing the pieces discussed in here, I had a limited familiarity with the brand. But I’m very pleased to tell you that taking a chance with Johnnie-O is a decision you’ll never regret.

For those unfamiliar with the brand’s ethos, it’s a blending of the styles from the coasts—So Cal casual with East Coast tradition. The result is great-looking pieces, featuring a range of colors, patterns and prints in colors that aren’t obnoxious, but allow you to stand out in a fun, eye-catching, and vibrant way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Johnnie-O (@johnnieobrand)

So as mentioned, my first experience with Johnnie-O consisted of a mix of their polos and pullovers, specifically:

• Featherweight Performance Polo;
• Performance Jersey Polo;
• Performance Mesh Polo;
• Kester Textured Hoodie; and
• Patton Performance 1/4 Zip.

Up Top are the Tee Time (L) and Top O the Morning (R), Beneath are the Daisy (L) and Cason Prints (R)

Fit & Comfort

I am happy to report that Johnnie-O’s sizing and fit is consistent with many other leading brands. I’m a Medium in some of my favorite brands (e.g., Greyson, STITCH, Peter Millar), and fit perfectly into Johnnie-O’s Medium.

Even with the different name on the tag, Johnnie-O isn’t too tight or too loose anywhere. Never did I feel like I was swimming in excess material, nor did I feel like I was losing blood circulation because the chest or sleeves were fit too tight. As a result, whether I was taking golf swings or scooping up my kids to make s’mores, I never felt like I was uncomfortable or wearing improperly fit clothes.

Sizing, likewise, was consistent between the Polos and Pullovers. In the case of the Hoodie and 1/4 Zip, everything fit perfectly; I never felt that some portions were too long (or short), or pinching (or overly loose) in any section. Both fit great, regardless if I was wearing a casual t-shirt or polo underneath, making them perfect for when the weather likes to transition over the course of the day.

The Patton Performance Camo 1/4 Zip Looks, Feels and Fits the Part; In Brings Style & Class to the Camo Pattern to the Perfect Quarter Zip for those Dew-Sweeping, Morning Rounds

In sum, Johnnie-O’s fit is consistent with what I’ve come to want and expect from mainstream brands you can find in stores and pro shops across the country—making it even easier to size yourself for an online purchase.

Materials & Comfort

As noted above, I had the opportunity to test polos featuring three different constructions: Performance Mesh; Featherweight; and Performance Jersey. Each are Moisture Wicking, UPF 50, Wrinkle Resistant and 4-Way Stretch. But the devil is in the details, because each of these feel different.

The Performance Mesh material was my favorite, and will be one of the first I’ll reach for as long as the summer heat and humidity sticks around. The Performance Mesh was lightweight and moisture-wicking. The Performance Mesh Polos didn’t retain an ounce of sweat, so they never got heavy or damp during the numerous rounds I played in heat and humidity that made you think you were playing in a sauna. But where the Performance Mesh really separated itself was how well it vented; while wearing it you could feel the casual breeze blow through the shirt and onto your skin (which can be a lifesaver on those blistering hot days).

Zooming in on the Performance Mesh shows the breathable construction that helps keep you cool and dry

That said, if you prefer a softer feeling material, then the Performance Jersey is for you. Like the Performance Mesh, it’s equally lightweight and, similarly, won’t retain body moisture. But the construction differences mean that Performance Jersey feels softer to the touch.

The Featherweight was equally impressive; the material felt lighter, making it incredibly comfortable to wear while on the move. But while playing, I did miss the additional breathability of the Performance Mesh. That said, I think the Featherweight is actually the best polo when you’re looking to just casually wear—by the pool, at the beach or at a BBQ. That super-lightweight material will allow you to stay cool and comfortable even when socializing in direct sunlight on the hottest days.

The Kester Textured Hoodie features a knit weave with more stylish buttons and drawcord

Regarding the Hoodie and 1/4 Zip, they were equally impressive and of high quality. The Hoodie featured a cotton-blend that not only was soft, but also helped provide some warmth. This will be a staple during spring rounds and cool nights by a backyard fire while making s’mores. The 1/4 Zip, likewise, featured a Performance material that felt very similar to the Performance Jersey polo; it was soft and lightweight, so it’ll be a regular in the rotation when the cooler weather returns.

Style

Style is the third ingredient to a successful apparel brand. Even the best-fitting and well-made shirt, pullover, shorts, and pants can be ruined with colors and patterns that aren’t aesthetically pleasing. That doesn’t mean everything needs to be loud and vibrant; conservative looks have their time and place, too.

And to that end, Johnnie-O has something for every occasion. For the more conservative individual, there’s a great range of solids—black, blues, and greens—with colors ranging from light to dark. For the guy who likes more vibrant colors and patterns, Johnnie-O has some real classy stuff. Patterns come with great color combinations and themes, with some more subtle than others. The Tee Time Print, for example, requires you to be up close to see the colorized pattern features mini, colorized golf tees. The New Yorker, conversely, features a louder pattern that, upon closer inspection, reveals a mix of martini glasses, pretzels, taxis, and more.

Tee Time Up Top, The New Yorker Down Load; These Two Patterns Show Case the Range of Johnnie-O—From Mild to Wild

This, of course, doesn’t include the wide range of non-patterned options, like thin and thick striped polos, that Johnnie-O offers.

So, to round things up, it doesn’t matter if you’re someone who shies away from loud patterns and colors or embraces them; Johnnie-O has something for every guy’s wardrobe that can be mixed and matched with shorts, pants, and jeans.