« The Full Cleveland Defined »

"Any male outfit that includes both a white patent leather (or plastic) belt, and matching white shoes." — Urban Dictionary

Regardless of industry we are all guilty of throwing around terminology specific to our interests, often times assuming that everyone knows what we're talking about. Of late, the term 'Full Cleveland' has been bandied about here on Chapeaunoirgolf.com among other golf fashion related blogs, and in a morning Twitter conversation with golf photographer extrodinaire Robert Matre, the issue of the origin of the term 'Full Cleveland' arose.

First, before we dealve in to the origins of the term, we need to be able to identify the Full Cleveland when we see it. Based on the Urban Dictionary definition provided above, we can see that Phil Mickelson sported a fine example of the Full Cleveland on Thursday at Torrey Pines during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open.

Phil Mickelson provided us with an example of the Full Cleveland look during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images North America)

• White belt? Check.
• White shoes? Check.
• Contrasting trouser? Check.

Essentially, this is the Full Cleveland, but having the ability to visually identify it only half the battle. Where did the term originate?

The interwebs kindly provides insight:

Judes Witcover, the Washington Post political correspondent, describes something called the "Full Cleveland" in "Marathon," his book on the 1976 presidential campaign. The full Cleveland was the informal uniform worn by a labor delegation from Ohio -- baby blue polyester leisure suit, white open collar shirt, white belt, white socks and white patent leather shoes.

— 11 August 1977, San Mateo (CA) Times

To read more on the origins of the term, click here.