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Apparel Review

Chapeau Noir himself, for some reason looking particularly stern in Votary Golf. The stern demeanour in no way reflects the comfort level Votary Golf apparel provides - rather, this is Chapeau Noir's lame attempt at looking intensely casual.The recent subject of a profile on Chapeau Noir Golf, Votary Golf has made a bold entrance into the golf apparel market with a range that focuses on fit and feel.

Votary Golf is yet another company from Canada, joining other golf apparel brands from the Great White North that include the likes of notable players Dunning Sportwear, Sligo Wear, and the Second Skin group of brands, which includes Hollas.

To kick the review off, Chapeau Noir loves how his Resolute shirt (in green) and Poole trousers (in slate) feel. The quality of the material used here is second to none.

The Resolute shirt is tailored through the torso, giving it a tailored feel while not revealing that extra dessert you had last weekend at your cousin's wedding. Chapeau Noir also appreciates the shorter and sleeker sleeves, as one of his pet peeves is a shirt sleeve that fancies a dive into the condiment tray while you reach for your post round beverage.

The Poole trousers, which could use a bit less room in the rise, are by far the lightest trousers Chapeau Noir has ever worn, and if it weren't for a need to have the length altered just a touch, he would not have hesitated to have worn them in this past weekend's scorching spring temperatures that saw the thermometer hit 32 degrees centigrade (89.6 degrees farenheit) on consecutive days.

There is something about wearing trousers that adds a certain level of dignity to the proceedings, even if the round is nothing more than a casual outing. Because they are so light and comfortable, the Poole trousers will provide this option through the dog days of summer - no need to wait for the cooler fall temperatures to return to full leg coverage.

Poole trousers in slate, from Votary Golf. Back pocket detail. Click to shop.

The deep back trouser pockets are smartly trimmed in white. For those who walk and carry, the extra depth accommodates score cards handily, preventing keepsake cards and those pricey course guides from fraying or ripping at the edges. Having a keen eye for detail, Chapeau Noir noticed that the Votary Golf logo on the rear belt loop was every so slightly misaligned.

Resolute shirt from Votary Golf. Click to shop.

The blue/grey slate Poole trousers don't look to be as easy to pair with Chapeau Noir's current wardrobe, outside the Resolute shirt which features slate and white on the left chest / shoulder in a flag-type color blocked pattern.

Like most of you, Chapeau Noir mixes and matches his brands to create a variety of looks, and the slate trousers will require some thoughtful pairing, but let's not over think things here. A simple, solid white golf shirt will mix nicely with these trousers, although additional colour options for next season from Votary Golf would be welcome.

Votary trousers and shirts are composed of a soft polyester infused with a hint of spandex - a combination that provides Votary with its soft, comfortable feel. The material also makes itself vulnerable to sharp branches and burrs that await us off the beaten path. While it's not a problem unique to Votary, sacrifice that Titleist the golf Gods to avoid the dreaded thread pulls.

Votary Golf will get you noticed, and while that's not something everyone wants, everyone should want golf clothes that fit. As one of the prime directives of Chapeau Noir Golf is to eradicate the fairways and greens of clothes that are needlessly oversided, Votary Golf is a welcome solution that has impressed in year one. It will be interesting to see what year two brings from Votary Golf.

Though completely subjective from player to player, Votary Golf apparel may be a bit on the metrosexual side for some, but with today's player being more and more willing to express their personal flair for fashion on the course, Votary Golf is a brand to add to your on-course wardrobe mix.