Photo courtesy of Turtlebacks
Emily Sprague, founder and CEO of Turtlebacks, with her boys.
They say necessity is the mother of invention—and that certainly holds true for Emily Sprague of Alexandria.
Emily grew up in Fairfax Station but spent much of her time in Alexandria, especially during her years at Bishop Ireton High School. After graduating, she attended Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and later returned to the area for law school at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in D.C.
“Once I finished school and moved back home for a bit, my now-husband and I eventually settled in Alexandria, and we’ve really never left,” she said. “We’ve lived in Old Town, Del Ray, Wilton Woods, and now Waynewood, and we’ve loved the unique sense of community in every neighborhood along the way.”
Today, Emily is the founder and CEO of Turtlebacks, a company she started out of necessity. “It really began at home with my sons, who are now 8 and 10,” she said. “When my oldest began playing golf at age 5, we kept running into the same problem—he needed ‘real pants’ that looked put-together but didn’t feel stiff or uncomfortable while on the course or running around after his little brother.”
Nothing on the market worked for her active boys, who preferred to live in athletic wear.
Photo courtesy of Turtlebacks
You'll find kid and parent-approved sportswear at Turtlebacks.
“So I decided to create what they needed: Performance pants that were comfortable, could truly keep up with them, fit properly, and were polished enough for the course,” Emily explained.
The name “Turtlebacks” comes from her family’s home away from home in Pinehurst, North Carolina, where the courses are famous for their domed “turtleback” greens.
“It’s a place that means a lot to us, and the name felt like the perfect blend of golf heritage and the playful spirit of childhood,” Emily said. “The turtle also represents resilience and perseverance, while the turtle shell symbolizes strength and confidence—qualities we hope to instill in our boys and the boys who wear our clothes.”
Today, Emily wears many hats: Founder, designer, creative director, social media manager and chief problem-solver. “While I manage the day-to-day on my own, I’m fortunate to collaborate with a few trusted people on product development and branding. My husband is also my business partner and biggest supporter.”
Turtlebacks’ products were designed around the real needs of raising active boys. “Our pants and shorts look polished enough for school, church, dinner, or golf but feel like the athletic wear boys love,” she said. “We use performance fabrics that stretch and move so kids can go from the classroom to the course to the backyard without ever needing to change.”
Emily has expanded the line to include performance polos made with soft, moisture-wicking fabric in fun, modern prints boys actually enjoy wearing. “Our performance hoodie has quickly become a favorite because it’s comfortable, durable, and—most importantly—looks really cool. Parents love that everything holds up and looks polished, and boys love that they feel good and look good in it. It’s the perfect balance.”
Shoppers can explore the full collection (boys’ sizes 4–14) online at shopturtlebacks.com. Turtlebacks will also host several holiday pop-ups in the area, including an event at Army Navy Country Club on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. (open to the public with 25% off in-person shopping) and a pop-up at Monday’s Child in Old Town Alexandria on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Alexandria, Emily said, “has this rare blend of charm, history, and community that makes it feel special. Each neighborhood has its own personality, but they all share the same connected, supportive energy. We love the walkability, the parks, the small businesses, and the way families are truly woven into the fabric of the city. It’s a place that immediately feels like home and the perfect place to raise our kids.”
