Editor's note: Today marks the debut of a new quarterly fashion report. This segment focuses on golf apparel for women and men -- in the colors, styles and trends you will see this spring. As golf fashion continues to grow, our goal is to share the latest designs and inspirations. Please let us know how you like it.

By Janice Ferguson
GPA Correspondent

There was a prevalent theme in golf apparel at January's PGA Merchandise Show -- stylish clothing that can be worn on and off the course.

Designers from well-known Tehama to up-and-comer Trigelle are striving to give us sporty sophistication in an array of modern fabric contents and colors that transcend individual personalities. The result is a narrowed gap of street fashion melding into the golf industry.

In addition to basic black and khaki colors, pinks in light rose to fuchsia continue their feminine prominence in women's apparel. Greens are more varied, such as sage, mint and lime. Adding shades of blue and then combining either the pinks, greens or blues together -- along with creams, whites, browns and black -- are a break from the mundane.

Drawing in another color such as yellow to create a fun stripe, plaid or floral print also creates a beautiful palate for spring. And, look for red mixed with various pinks for a snappy combo.

As for orange, which trend indicators suggested would not be as popular as last year, it is still a strong contender, especially in men's golf shirts.

The traditional argyle print gets an updated look on modern, more form fitting shirts and sweaters. Big and bold or small and subtle, it's acting like plaid and crossing seasons.

Retro-preppy bright stripes and large polka dot prints were seen on the PGA Fashion Fairway. Cable knits in sleeveless, V-neck, cardigans, turtle and hoodies are a favorite spring layering piece.

Fashion colors and vertical cuts make the sweaters stand out from their predecessors. Animal prints appear to be here for the long haul. A leopard spotted vest worn over a red long sleeve shirt, for example, gives a classy pop to the ensemble. Reversible quilted vests and lightweight jackets are a perfect topper for warmth and versatility.

Pant lengths for women are the true breakout in recent golf fashion. Whether its trousers, crops, fitted Bermudas or more functional skorts, there's a style everyone can wear comfortably and look smart. For those women still hesitant to try the "at" or "sits just below" waistline offerings, don't be put off by the 18-year-old models baring their bellies in advertisements.

Companies are transitioning women into contoured waistlines that actually fit more body types. Using fabrics that move and eliminating the bulk added by pleats is more slimming. Paired with a shaped polo tucked in or out, belted or not, is very flattering to most figures -- from the front and backside.

Men's shirts have taken a noticeable turn from boxy and loose to a more tailored silhouette. Blends of fabric like Pima cotton and polyester can take all the credit for creating soft, luxurious shirts in an array of textures and colors, while maintaining an easy care factor.

Moisture wicking amenities help men stay cool and dry so you really can wear that shirt back to the office. Pockets and piping update polos and give them a more unique appearance, as do invisible zippers vs. the traditional three-button look.

The best news about these advances in men's sportswear is that the price points have remained relatively the same -- reasonable. Canuste, Peter Millar, and Oxford are a few of the brands with great selections for men who were bustling with activity at the PGA Show.

Inspirations for spring '05 apparel are as diverse as their collections.

Anne Ingham, vice president of design for Tehama and Izod G, says, "Colors really drove the emphasis this season. A prime example is our combination of pastels and bold colors to work with traditional navy and white, offering the consumer an ability to mix and match pieces from both ends of the fashion spectrum."

Detailing is the forte at Trigelle.

"Style details such as our signature bamboo cotton," designer Lulu Faddis said, "two-way zippers on jackets, extended plackets on polos and rusching on shirts, gives our apparel a contemporary look that has versatility."

Obviously your golf and pro shops cannot carry everything. So when you're finished shopping there, the Drive catalog for Women by Golfsmith, and www.thewomensgolfshop.com are two of the many resources where you can view all the spring season has to offer.