Pleated bottoms have been a feature in women’s golf apparel since the early 1900s, when more women began playing the game and turned to pleated garments for their femininity and freedom of movement during play. Pleats, which later became associated with a preppy aesthetic, have remained relevant in the first quarter of the 21st century for balancing tradition with performance and timeless elegance, according to Susi Proudman, founder of the Williams Athletic Club women’s golf line.
“Pleats have always carried a special allure. People love them for the way they bring movement, grace and lightness to a garment, creating a sense of ease and elegance in motion,” says Proudman, whose own collection includes the Blair Skirt, a mid-length silhouette featuring soft pleats that pay homage to the pioneering women golfers of the 1920s; Frankie Skirt and Alexis Dress, whose pleats are engineered directly into the knit structure, creating a permanent detail that moves with the golfer; and signature Serena Skirt, which also incorporates soft pleats that fall from an engineered waistband designed to slim and support as you play.
Continues Proudman, “In women’s fashion, pleats became closely linked with femininity thanks to the soft volume and fluid drape they create. On the golf course, they gained an even deeper significance, balancing elegance with practicality at a time when early women golfers struggled with restrictive, heavy skirts. Today, pleats remain iconic in golf apparel as a design language that speaks to freedom, refinement and a timeless femininity that continues to shape the sport’s aesthetic.”
Another upstart women’s brand, A. Putnam, presents the Drift Skort, an elegant performance golf piece further distinguished by a feminine belt. The drop-waist, flat-seam pleat offers a clean look the company says will flatter any figure, and the shorts are removable so the piece can be styled with lifestyle garments for a range of activities.
“Pleated garments continue to hold their place in women’s golf because they represent both movement and refinement,” A. Putnam founder Ali Putnam says. “The key is thoughtful design: When pleats are executed with a modern eye, they move away from feeling like costume and instead become timeless and elevated. Women should feel empowered to choose pieces that combine function with elegance, ensuring their style resonates both on and off the course.”
adidas is also offering a number of pleated styles, including the Go-To Pleated Short with an elastic waist and mid-rise fit, and a fabric made with at least 70 percent recycled materials; Ultimate365 Tour Pleated Skort, whose stretchy TWISTKNIT fabric and integrated shorts give the golfer “full mobility to bend, twist and crouch without restriction;” Original Pleated Skort with pockets on the front and back; and Original Dress, whose classic styling can transition from the course to the clubhouse.
“Pleated styles have always been part of golf’s heritage, but today’s design feels fresh and sporty thanks to technical fabrics and updated silhouettes that are both functional and stylish,” says Michelle Mulligan, adidas’ Senior Product Manager for Women’s Apparel. “For example, the structure of knife pleats, like on our Tour Pleated Skort, allows for natural airflow and freedom of movement while still maintaining a polished look.
“We’ve also introduced details like the inverted pleat on our Go-To Pleated Short, which creates a soft drape and added movement without bulk. Women gravitate toward pleats because they’re flattering, versatile and stylish, while still delivering performance for play and ease for everyday wear.”
Bringing this style to life for Rhone is the Mirage Pleated Skort with a flattering high-low hem in the Mirage ultra-light stretch fabric. This bottom is DWR-treated for water repellency – while also offering UPF 50+ sun protection – and is available in black, white, blue dawn and sienna red.
“Pleats are having a real moment in women’s golf, blending classic style with modern performance,” says Kelly Cooper, Rhone’s Chief Product Officer. “The Mirage Skort’s pleats create a flattering look, while the lightweight, stretchy fabric keeps every swing comfortable and free.
It’s all about helping women feel confident and move effortlessly on and off the course.”
Many golf shops are cashing in on this pleats trend, stocking a variety of pleated garments for their women customers. For example, River Bend Golf & Country Club in Great Falls, Virginia, carries multiple brands, and AGM Merchandiser Leigh Redlus doesn’t see the trend dying down anytime soon.
“Pleated skorts are trending for fall 2025, as I am seeing thin and wide pleats. I am finding the thinner pleats are better for a smaller frame, where the wider pleats look better for a curvier shape,” says Redlus, whose shop is doing well with styles from G/FORE, The Bubble, Greyson and Peter Millar.
“For spring 2026, brands such as Williams Athletic Club and A. Putnam are showing pleated looks. Also, I am seeing bold prints in pleated skorts from Greyson and The Bubble, so the trend does continue into next year.”
For the 2025 season, Stacie Scheffer, AGM, Retail Coordinator at Useless Bay Golf & Country Club in Langley, Washington, featured pleated skorts – solids in mint and peach from Tail Activewear – mixing them with drawstring non-pleated skorts to provide options. She says the Useless Bay golf shop did best with the mint colored skorts, which were often sold in complete outfits with coordinating tops and anorak jackets, but warns that pleated styles might not be right for every customer or every shop.
“Keeping my club’s demographics in mind, I ordered sizes 2, 4 and 6 for the pleated versions and a few sizes up for the non-pleated,” Scheffer says. “The pleated skorts, in my opinion, don’t cater to the size 10 or higher or senior customers. I would definitely pay attention to the demographics, which can obviously change in the high-traffic season. Offering more trendy items when the customer mix changes can make for additional sales and a really positive impression on visitors or seasonal players.”
The best-selling pleated style at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, comes from Polo RLX. According to Retail Operations Manager Caitlin Flaherty, AGM, with its flat front and understated pleat in the back – complemented by discreet front and back pockets and two pockets built into the shorty underneath – this skirt is both sleek and functional, striking a balance between classic golf style and modern femininity.
“When it comes to pleated skirts in the golf industry, I believe subtlety is key. While the bold, cheerleader-style pleats can feel too dramatic for the course, a softer pleat creates a far more polished, feminine look,” Flaherty says. “Beyond the design, the skirt has a lightweight, breathable polyester fabric and is easy to wash and care for and is incredibly stretchy, making it comfortable and versatile both on and off the golf course. It’s feminine, functional and fun.”
Leading Pleated Offerings
Here is a roundup of additional pleated styles being offered by top vendors:
Puma presents the Women’s Club Pleated Golf Skirt, designed for “maximum comfort” with a recycled poly/elastane lightweight, stretch woven fabric and fully elastic waistband. Available in five color combinations, this piece also features UPF 30 sun protection, on seam hand pockets, a bonded hem and attached inner shorts with side pockets.
Belyn Key presents the Agnes Skort, a “classic style with a feminine twist,” done in an ultra-stretch woven fabrication that “offers a crisp and polished look without sacrificing essential stretch for comfort and performance.” This pleated bottom layer also features two front slash pockets, two back welt pockets and a flat, encased elastic waistband for easy pull-on style. Also from Belyn Key comes the Athens Skort, featuring a slightly A-line silhouette with an eye-catching asymmetrical inset of knife pleats on the left side, as well as two front slant pockets and one welt pocket in the back for added functionality… J. Lindeberg highlights three pleated pieces: the Beth Skirt with a printed stripe on the hem, side zip closure and integrated shorts; Binx Skirt, done in a moisture wicking fabric with a soft hand feel and featuring an elastic waistband and inner short; and Harlow Skirt, marked by stitched down pleats and a breathable pique fabric, branded waistband and built-in shorts.
From Peter Millar comes the Mickey Golf Skort, which is made from the brand’s classic easy-care twill that stretches for mobility and wicks moisture to keep the golfer cool. Designed with graduated pleats that are narrow at the top and widen toward the bottom, this piece features a custom-designed print inspired by racquet sports and is finished with a built-in shortie… Polo RLX presents the Gingham Performance Long Skort, featuring a gingham check design, refined stretch fabric with water-repellent properties and silicone-printed “RLX” logo at the hem. Also look for the RLX’s 15-inch Pleated A-Line Performance Skort with tailored micro-pleating. Made from a moisture-wicking fabric with refined stretch properties, the piece is done in an A-line silhouette intended to hit at the upper thigh.
The Scales Court Love 14-inch skort is made for comfort and performance. Its tropical weight fabric and athletic fit deliver coolness and unrestricted movement throughout an active lifestyle. The 88 percent polyester/12 percent spandex bottom comes in a variety of solids and prints, and has built-in UV 30+ protection and four-way stretch... Golftini offers a wide range of pleated skorts, starting with the Island Time model in a floral print with flattering side pleats and side zipper for ease of wear; First Mate, whose side pleats add a touch of style while the seersucker blue and white geometric print gives it an exclusive look; and Susan Skort in navy, khaki and white, featuring a 360 full pleat and grosgrain trim for “sophistication and elegance,” the company says… From Amy Sport, look for the Marisa Skort, which starts with a clean and tailored front and transitions into feminine pleats at the back, allowing for graceful movement during play. Designed for comfort and functionality, it includes a pull-on waistband, built-in shorts and strategically placed pockets in the front and back. The Marisa Skort is available in Amy Sport’s vibrant signature prints as well as refined solid colors.
The selection from FootJoy includes the Pleated Dress with box pleat construction, which offers a trendy, sophisticated look, two side vents to access pockets on the interior short and lightweight, stylish comfort. Also in the lineup is the Pleated Fashion Skort, also done in box pleat construction and offering movement in a flowy four-way stretch woven… Additionally, Fairway & Greene’s lineup features the Carrie Skort, made from a performance-ready fabric featuring UPF 50+ sun protection, moisture wicking, stretch and breathability. Available in 14 colors, it also features an easy pull-on waistband and attached interior shorts.
And from Greg Norman Collection comes the Chase 16-inch pleated skort in a 90 percent poly/10 percent spandex jacquard mesh with tonal textured tape detailing, two front and two back pockets and a mesh short liner with ball pocket, while sister company Dunning Golf presents the 16-inch Player Fit Stretch Performance Pleated Skort with pleated side panels, zip center back closure, front slash pockets and short liner with ball pockets.
