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Forget big and tall.
Nicholas James is all about short and small.
Growing up, I hated life as a 5-foot-8-inch wannabe athlete. All my friends were jocks who were taller. It's no fun feeling too short.
Finally, there's a golf brand that cares about guys like me. Nicholas James launched in June, the invention of Nick Parker, who's using his golf background to grow the Connecticut-based brand into a viable alternative to the mainstream luxury golf fashion we all wear.
Parker, who's 5-foot-6, has leaned on his background in the golf industry — with a professional golf management degree from Methodist University, he's been an assistant professional at a private club and a salesman for Bobby Jones Golf Apparel - to create golf pieces that cater to an untapped market. He's advocating for the little guy.
He said statistics show that 40 million men in America - roughly 47 percent of the male population - are shorter than 5-foot-9. He started speaking my language when he told me none of the golf clothes he's worn the last 20+ years fit properly off the rack.
"Most of the luxury polos I've worn, they're too long (hanging well below the waist). The arms are too long," he said. "This product will fit you a lot better, especially for the guys who are rounder. The sleeve hits the middle of the bicep and the bottom can be tucked in or left out. We've achieved a new proportion."
As a guy who's a little, ahem, rounder, I would be offended if I didn't wholeheartedly agree. I rotate between a large and extra large depending on the size and design of different brands. I'm a large in Peter Millar (although it's a shade too long) but an extra large in Johnnie-O and Linksoul. Nothing ever seems to fit perfectly.
I've got three great golf vests in my closet that I would love to wear more if they didn't feel like they hung down to my knees. My new Performance Vest from Nicholas James should be called the "Goldilocks". It fits just right. It's the piece that brings Parker the most pride.
"When I decided I wanted to do this, I knew a vest had to be part of the launch," he said. "It was the one item I could never wear. They always went down to my thigh and were too bulky. Now it's a piece that I live in."
Parker used a model who's 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds to set up the baseline for his sizing chart, not the 6-foot-2, 180-pound studs featured on so many other apparel websites. Your weight is generally the best way to determine a proper size. For example, I'm an XL based on the sizing guide at the Nicholas James website because of my chest size (between 44-47 inches) and weight (between 195-210 pounds). As for pants, I'd never before seen a size 38x27. My legs are so short, that would probably work for me.
Parker is so confident in his products that he will send you up to five pieces to try at home, completely free. You pay only for what you keep. Send the rest back free of charge. There are also no shipping or return fees for orders of $150 or more.
Currently, Nicholas James offers seven items: Performance ($78) and Pima Cotton ($74) polos, a Performance Vest ($178), 5-Pocket Pants ($88), a Pima Cotton Quarter-Zip pullover ($115), a Merino Wool T-shirt ($78) and a Cashmere Crewneck ($328). When asked what kind of grade he would give the company's launch to market, he admits he's his own toughest critic.
"A 'C' at best, but I feel like we are really heading in the right direction now," he said. "The launch capsule wasn't dedicated to golf. It was about the essential items to throw in a carry-on. Now that we are leaning into golf a bit more, that's going to have implications in our product."
He envisions new shorts, hoodies and another style of pants in the next generation. His biggest obstacle remains garnering awareness - both for the brand and that golfers should demand a better fit from what they wear.
"The biggest competitor is the status quo, people not recognizing that [a bad fit] is a problem, just not being open to trying a new solution," he said. "There are competitors in the shorter men's category but not in country club men's lifestyle [apparel]. We are leading in aesthetics and quality. It is just about opening up people's minds to addressing the problem."
Do you hate how your golf clothes fit? Let us know in the comments below.
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