When Emily Sprague steps out of her car, I’m immediately drawn to her tall, graceful silhouette. I’m also amazed that her long, yellow dress is unwrinkled – and she has two boys in tow. It’s a bit windy up at the GW Masonic Memorial, but it’s welcome because the sun is already beaming on us. Emily’s sons (and willing models), Charlie and Tucker, are never far from her side, and are incredibly patient as we suss out the best backdrops.

Britt Patterson nominated Emily for Street Style because she knows our readers love a common thread – local female entrepreneurs. Emily is a Northern Virginia native, grew up in Fairfax Station and attended Bishop Ireton high school. For college, she went to St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia where she played Division I soccer for four years, and returned to the area to attend law school at Catholic University in D.C. This is also when her future husband re-entered her life. 

“We both went to Bishop Ireton and had been in the same grade…same circle of friends. It was my senior year of college when we reconnected. We were all in Old Town the night before Thanksgiving; I was with my Ireton girls and he was with the boys. We hadn’t seen each other since high school. After that, we kept in touch…AOL chat,” she says laughing.

They started dating the following summer and became engaged when she graduated from law school, marrying in 2011. By day, she’s a government attorney for the Patent and Trade Office, and works remotely. She’s mom to three: Charlie, nine, Tucker, seven, and Eleanor, three and a half. And now she’s added entrepreneur to her list, launching Turtlebacks, a golf apparel line for boys aged five to 10 later this summer.

She shares the journey. “Golf…it’s in my blood, my dad is a big golfer, my older brother (by 19 months) started when he was 12 and played in college. He was always very good. My husband picked up golf after college. Charlie, my oldest, was about 18 months when he first showed interest. He was always around golf and my parents gave him a plastic fisher price set of clubs. He had the perfect swing, he knew exactly what to do.  It was hilarious…and he was obsessed with it…we would sit out in the yard, and he would hit plastic balls all day. And my husband and father would bring him to the course with them, he’d ride around in the cart and hit a ball now and then, eventually transitioning to real clubs.”

Charlie never had lessons as a little kid. “At five, he started competing with U.S. Kids Golf, and it was a Covid year. In 2020, every other sport had stopped, but golf grew in popularity. He’s a very athletic kid…annoyingly good at anything he does…good hand-eye coordination. And it’s such an emotional sport. We tell him, ‘You’re going to have bad shots, it’s not always going in the hole.’ My husband caddies for him and they follow the same professional rules, very similar to the tournaments you see on TV. For kids, it builds character, they learn how to behave on the course.”

Charlie was like a lot of boys and had a hard time finding pants that fit him. “He’s taller and slender…so they were always too big in the waist or too short. They were never comfortable. At home he can wear sweatpants, but when playing, they have to wear khaki pants or dress pants. When he bent over to ‘read his putt’ or swing, his pants were stiff. My husband came home in athleisure stretch golf pants, and I kept thinking, ‘Why don’t they make these for kids?’”

Emily searched and searched for pants. “I had a problem with every pair. I didn’t like the option for the waistband. Jokingly, I said, ‘I should make my own.’ I’m a lawyer, I know nothing about this stuff or the fashion industry. But life is short and my husband who is more entrepreneurial-minded and a risk taker gave me the push to go for it. We found a fashion consulting company based out of New York and they were super helpful. I said, ‘This is what I want in the pant…this is the fabric.’” 

They’re about to receive their first production and hope they sell pretty quickly. “I want to add a shorts version, and also a polo shirt, sweatshirt, and half zip to the line. Turtlebacks’ slogan is ‘feel good, play hard.’ It’s a higher-end premium athleisure wear brand for boys, five to ten. We’ll expand to 12-14 years old in the next order.” You can check them out at shopturtlebacks.com and local popup events.

Tucker, her younger son, picked up the game later and started playing at age four after watching Charlie. Both now play in U.S. Kids Golf and compete in local tours. They’ve also picked up points and have been invited to play in bigger state tournaments, regional tournaments and the world tournament in Pinehurst, North Carolina, in which—both boys will compete this year. 

The family will spend their summer at Pinehurst Country Club and Resort, about an hour from Raleigh. “It’s a small golf community with tons and tons of golf courses.” The U.S. Open will be held there June 13-16.

Amidst all the golfing, Emily makes sure to make time for her own fitness. “Exercise is very important to me. I really need it. My number one stress reducer is a walk or a run and strength training. I also like my shows – and stay up way too late when the kids go to sleep…it’s hard to shut my brain down.” 

You’d never know Emily doesn’t get enough sleep, check out her Street Style:

ABOUT EMILY

Neighborhood: Waynewood, Alexandria 

Hometown: I grew up in Fairfax Station, VA and went to high school at Bishop Ireton in Alexandria.

What would surprise people about you? It might not be that surprising and I like to think I hide it well, but I am super competitive. For good or bad, my sons definitely inherited that gene. 

Favorite movie: 13 Going on 30 because I’ve loved Jennifer Garner since her Alias days and any other cheesy rom-com.

Guilty Pleasure: Popcorn and M&Ms almost nightly, and I’m still very heavily invested in Taylor and Travis. 

Latest binge-watch: Just finished Palm Royale, and just binged WeCrashed, which is the true story behind WeWork. It’s not a new show, but I highly recommend it!

Bucket list travel destination: That’s a hard one! Probably Australia and the Maldives.

STYLE

Define your style in three words or less: Classic, casual, and minimal. 

The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Jeans, a good tee, or an easy, no fuss dress (although my husband would say leggings and yoga pants).

Favorite trend: I don’t consider myself trendy, but if athleisure is still trending, then I’m very on trend. 

Beauty product you can’t live without: Face moisturizer and mascara. 

Boots, sneakers, or sandals? Always a sneaker girl, but sandals in warmer weather.

WELLNESS

Go-to way to de-stress: A long walk, run, or at-home pilates or strength workout. 

Most fun way to stay active: Playing “family soccer” as my boys call it in the backyard or walking a round of golf with them.

Wellness goal: To cut down on my sugar intake - I have a huge sweet tooth.

Want to try: To improve at golf so I can join my family and try pickleball (I still have never played!)

Proudest wellness achievement: Running the PNC Parkway Classic 10 miler under my goal time (and finding the time to train!). And although it was light years ago, I will always be proud of playing 4 years of D1 college soccer.

HOME

Favorite room in your home: Our kitchen on a daily basis and living room by the fireplace in the colder months.

Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix of both. My style is what I think is called “Transitional.” 

Last item bought for your home: Built-in cabinets by St. Clair Kitchens for our home office and dining room. They were just installed and are a game changer.  

Favorite way to entertain: Casually at home with pizza and champagne. 

Clutter-free or well-lived in? Clutter-free 100%, but with three kids who refuse to let me get rid of anything, it’s a constant struggle.

Next planned purchase: Hopefully hardscaping our pea gravel patio. My mom told me it would drive me crazy with kids and I should have listened.

ALEXANDRIA

What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? I love learning about all the small business owners and entrepreneurs. It’s very inspiring and encouraging as I embark on this new journey. 

Favorite spot in Alexandria: Mishas for coffee and grabbing South Block to eat by the water while the kids feed the ducks. 

Your go-to shop: I don’t do much in-person shopping these days, so I’m either running into Lululemon to exchange something I bought online, Red Barn Mercantile for a quick gift, or Monday’s Child for a special outfit for my daughter (who occasionally still lets me dress her). 

Best food spot: Right now, we’re loving Vermilion since it’s reopened. It was our go-to date night spot when we lived in Old Town years ago so we’re excited to have it back.

Annual Alexandria event you most look forward to: All of the Old Town parades and Home & Garden tours.

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