Tennis apparel, long considered the unofficial uniform for country clubs and private-school pickup games, has taken on new life in recent years. Cinch-waisted pleated skirts paired with polo tops have recently made waves as players opt for elegant yet effortless dresses that allow quick sprints across the court without restricting movement.
Tennis players have long pushed the envelope when it comes to fashion. Venus Williams’ 2010 French Open look of wearing a black lacy transparent dress was an example of this phenomenon.
History
As tennis has evolved for five centuries, so too has its fashion. From Victorian tailoring to Lacoste’s timeless cotton polos, players have always sought to distinguish themselves through fashion on the court. But it wasn’t always so easy; tennis requires constant back and forth movement that made restrictive clothing impractical to play successfully; but by 1920 that began to change when players began trading in their sweater vests, tailored pants, long women gowns for lighter fabrics like pique cotton that allowed greater range of motion – eventually shorts allowed even greater range of motion – while while players still wore white colors as fashion statement on court!
France’s Suzanne Lenglen and Spain’s Lili Alvarez made headlines in the 1950s for breaking away from traditional tennis apparel fashion rules and creating their own styles, such as shorter skirts and waist-cinching dresses with sleeveless blouses – an icon of feminism and independence, who ultimately set trends we see today.
Fast-forward to 2017, and Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff and other world-class players have donned tennis skirts and dresses that would look right at home on the court in the 1970s. Not only have professional players been inspired by this new approach to tennis style; so too has the public as Google searches for “tennis skirts” surged and photos of these sporty essentials made their way onto Instagram and TikTok feeds all around the globe.
High fashion brands got into the action too, with Chanel’s spring/summer 2005 collection offering up a striking polo dress complete with navy-blue piping that quickly became one of their most coveted vintage pieces. Now this year, this trend has reached even further with designers like KULE, Danzy and Year of Ours creating tennis-inspired clothes not just suitable for hitting the court but that can also be worn off-court – the future of tennis fashion has yet to be written but its potential looks brighter than anything before it.
Innovation
Fashion in tennis continues to adapt with changing societal trends and technological innovations, reflecting both of these. Current fashion reveals an amalgamation of functionality and style which defines modern tennis apparel; innovations in fabrics like Dri-FIT as well as designs adapted to specific movements allow players to play comfortably while still having an appealing appearance. This trend is most evident among women’s clothing due to the growing interest among consumers for athletic styles that challenge societal conventions.
Taken cue from social and societal trends, tennis apparel designers have introduced bold colors and innovative silhouettes into the sport’s wardrobe. Rene Lacoste of France was an influential innovator, producing loose pique knit, flat unstarched collared shirts featuring sleeves ending at the elbow decorated with his iconic crocodile logo that allowed players to move freely without restriction; an obvious improvement from tight cotton shirts worn at that time.
Andre Agassi used his fame as a professional tennis player to promote a fashion line for Nike during the 1980s. His use of vibrant colors and daring materials such as denim was groundbreaking at that time; expanding tennis’ appeal among a wider audience and helping establish it as an acceptable form of recreation.
As tennis’ popularity increased, manufacturers responded with new technologies and styles. Manufacturers used innovative fabrics as well as clothes designed with easy wear-and-wash care in mind; for instance, lightweight stretchy nylon pants became more comfortable than the thick, heavy wool suits previously worn during matches; in addition, tennis dresses with short hemlines were created in order to increase range of motion.
Another significant advancement was the emergence of tennis sneakers, making the game much more accessible for casual players who wanted to enter. They were more comfortable than previous stiff leather versions available; and their cushioned and flexible soles made them suitable for walking around and social games alike.
Though tennis offers plenty of opportunity for fashion and function, the industry must remain mindful not to lose sight of its roots. Over the last several decades, tennis has grown in popularity exponentially while drawing younger players, so innovation remains necessary in order to engage its fan base while remaining true to traditions so it remains accessible across generations and backgrounds.
Accessibility
Contrasting with earlier times when clothing was restrictive and lacking versatility post-play, today’s tennis apparel reflects fashion trends and offers more versatile wardrobe options post-match. From cotton loungewear pieces designed by lifestyle brand Sporty & Rich or preppy staples such as Year of Ours’ best-selling tennis skirts – today’s sporty apparel offers style and practicality perfect for everyday wear.
While traditional tennis attire such as polo shirts and tailored shorts for both men and women as well as tennis dresses and panties for women remains popular at tournaments, its presence can now also be found on streets and social media. Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff, two world-class players who often feature prominently at tournaments have recently donned stylish Nike tennis dresses that add an edge of fashion.
These dresses push style boundaries set over the past decade and instill confidence and power. Their silhouettes resemble lingerie while using technology such as Dri-FIT to keep moisture at bay, offering an exciting new direction in tennis fashion. While this approach may seem more shocking than its classic, elegant predecessors from earlier centuries, it represents an exciting new direction for this sport.
At first, tennis clothing was considered an indicator of wealth and worn only by members of the upper class. Over time however, as tennis gained more fans and was made accessible to more people, its attire began changing into something more modern.
Rene Lacoste made history when he introduced the loose pique knit collar with unstarched flat sleeves that reached just below the elbow in 1923. The soft stretchy material provided for greater comfort during swings on court and smoother swings overall; thus making tennis an increasingly competitive game. His innovation would become the precursor of many others that would change it further over time.
Style
Other than athletic innovations that have made tennis gear lighter and more flexible than ever before, fashion has also played an essential part in its development. Although traditional uniforms such as polo shirts with tailored shorts for men and tennis dresses or skirts for women remain highly fashionable today, younger generations are reinterpreting the look with street culture influences and modern touches, as Danzy Kim of Umpire Studios in New York City produces popular bestseller tennis skorts that reflect this reality. “This cross-generational interpretation demonstrates the continued relevance of tennis’s legacy,” according to Danzy Kim who founded Umpire Studios which produces popular selling tennis apparel brand producing popular bestseller tennis skorts.
France’s Susanne Lenglen led the way by breaking gender boundaries and ushering in a new era of tennis fashion during the 1920s with her signature bobbed hair, silk headbands and nifty cardigans. Helen Wills Moody followed suit, sporting pleated knee-length skirts with white blouses that featured short sleeves while also donning a white visor to protect her from direct sunlight rays during games.
By the 1940s, more and more women began sporting shorts when playing tennis. Gertrude Moran set an iconic precedent by wearing an elegant outfit featuring a ruffled top and jaw-dropping lace shorts designed by British couturier Ted Tinling during her Wimbledon match in 1949.
Women’s tennis clothing became more feminine as time progressed, featuring cinched waists, decorative cardigans and elegant pleated skirts worn by Pauline Betz and Maureen Connolly among others. By the 1950s, tennis fashion had become less conservative and challenged patriarchal conventions through playful approaches to fashion.
Venus and Serena Williams made waves with their fashion choices during the 1990s, breaking new ground by wearing tight mini black jumpsuits with built-in shorts to stay warm and dry at tournaments such as U.S. Open. Venus famously donned one such garment at Wimbledon where she maintained a professional image while staying dry while remaining stylishly warm on court.
No matter if it is for a major tournament or just hitting your backyard court, tennis apparel needs to be both comfortable and durable. That is why tennis wear has become so widely sought-after across age groups; thanks to innovative technologies that keep you cool and dry during gameplay.