Is Tennis Fashion's New It Girl?
Written by Chi
Following the Challengers movie promotional tour, Zendaya and Law Roach have once again proven themselves as undeniable fashion forces and served some serious looks on the red carpets. Seamlessly intertwining tennis and fashion, they exemplified this with the custom Loewe tennis ball pumps and the Wimbledon white custom Thom Browne dress embossed with tennis motifs. Throughout the press tour, Law Roach and Zendaya paid homage to tennis stars who not only championed the tennis court but also challenged the traditional style of the game, such as Althea Gibson, Serena, and Venus Williams. Driven by the success of Challengers, tennis core transitioned from the sidelines and back into the spotlight. Catherine Spindler, Lacoste’s chief brand officer, a popular tennis brand worn by Djokovic, Venus Williams, and Daniil Medvedev, addressed how “tennis has always been associated with elegance” and despite the resurgence of tennis core, tennis and luxury fashion have a long symbiotic history rooted in exclusivity and prestige. A brief dive into the history of tennis and fashion highlights this enduring relationship.
In 1978, Chris Evert wore a pavé diamond bracelet at the US Open, and the bracelet earned its namesake as the tennis bracelet, which you most likely have heard mentioned across various songs. More recently, we have seen tennis styles being emulated by notable brands such as Miu Miu, who launched the Miu Miu Tennis Club in sunny Saint Tropez and then New York, just minutes away from the home of the US Open. Miu Miu continued the tennis trend at their 2022 Autumn/Winter show, showcasing a tennis-themed runway. Last year, Celine also launched a tennis collection, including tennis skirts, polo vests, and their own branded tennis rackets to complete the set.
Tennis players themselves are no strangers to the world of high fashion. On the court, Serena Williams graced spectators with unforgettable fashion moments, such as the iconic Nike denim skirt at the US Open 2004. More recently, Grand Slam champion Emma Raducanu sported £37,000 worth of Tiffany & Co jewellery at last year’s Wimbledon tournament. Now, she is a Dior ambassador. Louis Vuitton has also tapped into the tennis player market, as 21-year-old, two-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz now sits as a house ambassador with his first campaign in August 2023 and a more personalised campaign earlier this year. Tennis core is certainly not a new concept to fashion’s biggest players.
For those who sit courtside, they too treat the tennis stands as their very own runway. Each year, we see celebrities descend upon the All England Lawn Tennis Club to witness the best players compete for the ultimate Grand Slam title, donning impeccable and elegant courtside styles.
Today, tennis core is a fusion of styles derived from players themselves and tennis spectators. Often characterised by pleated skorts, polo shirts, knitted vests, and crisp and clean lines, it is reminiscent of quiet luxury and old money aesthetics that grace our social media pages. Beyond fashion, the tennis core trend reflects the inherent and historical elitism of the sport. But now, the tennis aesthetic has re-entered the group chat with speed and is being embraced beyond the Challengers promotional tour and high fashion brands. Online fashion company ASOS released a tennis core campaign with a section dedicated to the trend. Skims also released a new tennis-inspired campaign featuring skorts. Second-hand app Depop has experienced a 52% increase in tennis skirt searches and a 53% increase in polo shirt searches. In terms of general online searches, “cute tennis outfits” increased by 80% in April as Google reported that searches for “tennis-core” were at an all-time high. Tennis core’s ability to withstand time is quite remarkable and a testament to its versatility, embedded in the country club lifestyle of the richest.
How to Get the Tennis Core Look
Big Budget
Tory Burch
Miu Miu
Adidas x Gucci polo
Lower Budget
Mango
Nike
Sporty and Rich Health and Wellness Club (SRHWC)
ASOS
