What to Wear to the WM Phoenix Open

The birds are chirping and the sun is shining! A lovely day once again which means sports fans that we are ready to gear up for the city’s festivities, namely the WM Phoenix Open. Apologies, but I just can’t bear to use the name Waste Management (sponsor or not) over and over again so from here on out darling, it shall be aptly called the WM.

This year the WM brings to mind an adventure I had years back when I was living in NY, I attended the Heritage PGA Tournament on Hilton Head Island SC. After photographing golfers for an ad campaign, the crew of mostly single women decided to go on a man- hunt at the tournament, thankfully I was engaged and didn’t need to participate in the man-candy games. At the time I had hair past my shoulders and throughout the day men came up to me repeatedly stroking my hair and gushing at how pretty it was.

For hours I was convinced that I was being “punked” but after careful examination of my surroundings, I realized that these men were used to what I would gently call “Southern Hair” teased, sprayed and hot rollered to the max a la Dolly, I on the other hand due to a 6:30 call time had very “natural” hair. I distinctly recall women being decked out in darling dresses, dripping in diamonds and ready for the red carpet, quite a contrast to our own more casual esthetic.

I know we are Zonies and we love any opportunity to peel off the winter wares and get our Spring on, but as I have often experienced there is a big difference between being in the sun or being sequestered to the shade by a pushy partying crowd. This week the temps will barely reach over 70 so arm yourselves girls…. This may be a job for a cashmere shrug! I love this one by Vince.

At the Open it’s important to be comfy but that’s no excuse for being frumpy. If you are of the tribe that can’t be caught in a pair of flats might I suggest a sexy little pair of wedges to keep yourself from sinking in the green?
I love these leather looks by Elizabeth and James and Diane Von Furstenberg respectively. No need to worry about grass stains or sinking with these babies. If you are practical and chic these Tory Burch flats and Kate Spade Gladiators will look amazing with dresses, skinny pants or shorts.

If you like to show a little leg this sweet black and white print dress by BCBG will take you from a day on the green to a night a the Nest without revealing too much. Or try this knit number by Elizabeth and James topped with a wrap cardigan by 7 For All Mankind.

In the pants and shorts department I love these Alexander Wang silk pants, they look city chic but are super comfy especially when paired with a tank and blazer or a cotton blouses as shown. If you can’t bear to go to the Open in anything but shorts these Tory Burch cuffed pair are the definition of dressy casual, wear them with a ruffled blouse and a pile of necklaces and you will look divine. Or you can’t go wrong with these darling Marc Jacobs shorts that give the look of skirt but the ease of shorts. You can snag all of these pieces at Saks Fifth Avenue or www.saksfifthavenue.com