Malbon and Gap Go All in on All-American Vibes

It's a delicate dance, blending novelty and heritage, but that's the very substance that drives the Americana aesthetic. It's mixing modernity with hints of nostalgia which is exactly why the most recent collaboration between Malbon and Gap is a harmonious match in fashion heaven. The newness of Malbon combined with the old and established Gap, is a nod to what's familiar and what's to come.

Malbon and golf style have practically become synonymous over the last couple of year, as founders Stephen and Erica Malbon continue to elevate the brand through frequent and intentional collaborations and partnerships. Each one has brought a different flair to how on course apparel can be reimagined. But something about this combined effort from the beloved golf brand and Gap, the iconic retail company that feels like its in every American city mall ever, feels innate.

The quintessential American brand, that blends heritage and casual coolness, has been around since 1969 creating staple essentials that last a lifetime. (You probably have a Gap item sitting in your closet right now.) This feels like the most timeless drop yet, channeling preppy-meets-street, a vibe that encapsulates the modern state of golf's role in pop culture. Folks who don't necessary play golf still have the desire to dress like it (hi country club core), and folks who play golf dare to look like they're dressing for anywhere but the golf course. It's the most magical dichotomy, and this 33-piece collection is where we all meet in the middle.

“We grew up with Gap, so the opportunity to collaborate and bridge golf culture with Gap’s heritage is incredibly exciting," shares Erica and Stephen Malbon. "Gap defines what an American brand can look like—it's where fashion and functionality collide—each and every piece reflects, authentically, the DNA of both brands."

And they're not wrong. This is a body of work that feels like if you only had the Malbon logo on it, you'd believe it, and vice versa. If you saw this in a window display at the mall, you'd believe it were Gap testing it's hand, going all in on golf. Which, to be fair, isn't that far off. Gap khakis, crewneck, and the occasional polo make for a great core golf fit that's pretty low fuss.

But this capsule ups the ante.

Styled on Malbon Ambassador Jesper Parnevik and his kids, Peg and Phoenix (could their names be any cooler)—the collection's effortlessness is on full display. You don't have to try hard to make these pieces function together. It's fashion Tetris, everything just kind of fits.

It all just feels very early 2000s sporty chic, with hints of the the iconic 1995 movie "Clueless". (There's a plaid skirt we saw in a preview of the collection that Alicia Silverstone's character Cher would actually die for.)

But the clothes came alive during a special shindig at Plainfield Country Club, where friends of both brands showed out in full force...and dressed in plaid. It was the most perfect golf day—a pristine 72 degrees and sunny, with a slight breeze swirling in the air. Perfect conditions for a day at the club, where golfers and fashion enthusiasts alike come together, hacking it around in the all new collection where we got to see every thread in motion.

From Yankee Hall of Famers to fashion influencers, it was a mash up of fashion, culture, and sport previewing what's to come. The ladies got cropped knit polos and a mini-pleated skort that puts any private school uniform to shame. The fellas got a mixed bag of striped polos, pinstriped pants, or plaid shorts that said screw a five-inch inseam!

We saw a taste, but here's what else you can expect. There are dad caps, washed tees and pullovers, and knit midlayers to round out the sheer preppy-ness of it all. The color palette balances a strong denim-inspired vibe (think northeastern navy and California coastal blue) with greens, bits of yellow, and a does of baby pink.

What Gap and Malbon did was enlist a new uniform for the fashion freaks and golf-curious, while creating pieces that the golf sickos can still be excited about. The collection becomes available online and in select stores beginning on Friday, June 6 at 9 a.m. PT. And perhaps the most desirable aspect of this whole thing is that prices range from $18 to $138—marking this as one of Malbon's most affordable releases to date. If you've been wanting to get your hands on Malbon, now's your time.

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