7 trending items that have made their way into our closets from tennis

Tennis and fashion have always gone hand in hand. From the 1800s to the 1900s, athletes took to the court in closed clothing. Women even played in corsets, long skirts, hats and heeled shoes. After the First World War, this appearance had to be forgotten. Comfort and convenience came to the fore. It was on this wave in the women’s closet smoothly migrated men’s things.

In 1932, the Briton Bunny Austin for the first time in the history of the sport came out to play in shorts. A year later his example was followed by American Alice Marble at Wimbledon. This created a real sensation. Fashion designers of that time began to actively tailor things for recreation, focusing on the big game.

The Second World War also affected the outfit. Due to the lack of raw materials, sets began to be made of nylon and parachute silk. This is how corrugated skirts appeared, which are still in trend today.

Since the 2000s, the elements of tennis uniforms have not changed much. Innovations affected the materials. Manufacturers have developed breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics.

At the same time, tennis players have the option of choosing the design of the uniform. It was often used by the winner of 23 Grand Slam tournaments Serena Williams. The extravagant style of this athlete has made history. Every appearance of Serena on the court was loudly discussed in the media. For example, Nike together with Virgil Abloh developed for her a black dress with an open shoulder and a ballet tutu. Many people dreamed of repeating the image, so manufacturers launched similar outfits on sale.

This is how sports constantly influences fashion. No wonder that in our arsenal there are quite a few things that were originally designed for the stadium or court. Today, it’s hard to imagine urban fashion without them. The trend to combine sports style with glamorous things for many years has not slowed down. The bright propagandists of such outfits are Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber.

What things came to the everyday closet exactly from tennis and are now on the list of sharp trends?

stylist, YouTube blogger

A pleated miniskirt, a polo collar shirt and white sneakers have long been a summer closet staple. But this year tennis outfit is being singled out as a separate trend. This is due to the increased popularity of “old money” aesthetics. After all, there is no more elegant sports style than the one that tennis players adhere to.

Pleated skirt

The most famous element of the tennis closet is the pleated mini-skirt. It came into fashion in the 20s. With each decade, the length became shorter and shorter.

Today such a model is a salvation in hot weather and allows you to show tanned legs. But what is beautiful exactly in the tennis skirt is sewn shorts. By the way, we are talking about the main trend of summer 2023, which women have already managed to appreciate. This model of skirt allows you to feel relaxed, even sitting on a plaid during a picnic.

Pleating from the 1920s

If you plan to spend time out of town, you can simply compose a classic “tennis image”. Complete the skirt with a sleeveless top with a polo collar, white sneakers, high socks and a woven tote bag.

For the city, put together a look with a cropped jacket and a neat top. From shoes you can wear now fashionable ballet flats or Mary Jane shoes. The choice of color depends on your preferences. But it is worth noting: if you pick up all the elements in light shades, the image will look especially spectacular.

Lime pleated skirt, 2999 rubles.

Polo shirt

A shirt with a polo collar is perhaps the most popular item in men’s tennis closet. It was invented in 1933 by French tennis player Rene Lacoste, who after finishing his career created the famous Lacoste brand.

Polo from the 1930s

It is convenient to have such a model in basic colors. For example, in white and navy blue. It can be worn with jeans of almost any style. But it is recommended the model “flap”. It will add a 70’s mood to your look and thus make your outfit more interesting and elegant.

Polo T-shirt O’STIN, 799 rubles.

Polo shirts also look great with pleated midi skirts. You get relaxed looks in “quiet luxury” aesthetics. For country walks you can replace the skirt with elongated shorts with an arrow. For a less classic style, men are recommended to wear polo with joggers and sporty sneakers. In such a variant, it is better to fasten the collar on all buttons.

Dress a la polo Zarina, 3749 rubles.

Polo dress

Polo dress is also in trend. Most often it is a knitted model resembling a long T-shirt. For cooler times there is an option – a warm polo dress. It resembles a tightened sweater with a collar.

For summer, you can also create a mix of fashion options. For example, find a fishnet polo dress. All kinds of knitting are extremely relevant right now, and for the warm season, breathable options are the perfect solution.

Visor from the 1930s

Visor

This element of the tennis closet was developed in the late 1920s. A wide enough visor is the surest way to protect your face from the sun’s harmful rays. Unlike a hat or baseball cap, it won’t crush your hair and you won’t have to redo your hairstyle in the evening. A straw product will look less sporty than a cap. It can also be worn with classic looks.

MYARI straw visor, 2500 rubles / Livemaster

Tennis slippers

Thanks to tennis, we fell in love with two models of footwear. The first is the classic tennis slippers that Ray Bradbury romanticized in his novel “Dandelion Wine”. Like the polo shirt, they go with just about everything in a woman’s summer closet, from dresses of any length to raw-edge denim shorts.

Tennis slippers then

Wear them with a sundress, a puffy midi skirt. The image will acquire a vintage mood. In it you can go for a long walk around the city. Such shoes are much more comfortable than sandals or ballet flats. If you put on tennis slippers with culottes pants, you will get an interesting and stylish combination, giving us a reference to the images that could be seen on tennis courts in the 1930s.

Solid sneakers

The second pair of shoes from the tennis players’ closet that has become popular in recent years are massive sneakers in the spirit of the 1990s. For the first time John McEnroe, the former world number one, wore them on court. They were the new Nike Air Trainer 1. Unusually voluminous sneakers better fixed the ankle, held the foot and more reminiscent of basketball models.

John McEnroe

Next Nike began to offer even more massive models. They were worn by Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.

What can you wear massive sneakers with? Today – with anything! They look cool with classic things. For example, with long pants with an arrow or pleated midi skirts. And you can also combine them with high sports socks. By the way, this is another element of tennis style. Wear this combination with mini-skirts or biker skirts and complete the look with a shortened top or sweatshirt.

Replica of Nike Air Trainer 1, 5731 rubles / Ozon

This model can be worn even with a sensual dress with thin straps and a slit on the thigh. We advise you to add a voluminous jacket to balance the masculine elements and maintain the mood of the 1990s style.

Tennis shorts from the 1930s

Bermuda shorts

Men have been playing in pants for a long time. It was not until the 1930s that athletes in shorts began to appear on the courts. The first tennis players who began to wear a male element of the closet were Helen Jacobs and Alice Marble. It was they who brought the women’s outfit closer to the men’s. The models were similar to the shorts-bermudas.

Wide shorts with lapels O’STIN, 1279 rubles.

Today summer closet is hard to imagine without shorts. They can be both ultramini and midi. The latter are perfect for office style, the main thing is the right material. Trend models – with a high waist, which are perfectly combined with cropped tops or a white polo shirt with contrasting trim. For formal meetings, combine with a white shirt.

Long shorts for men can be worn with straight-cut T-shirts, classic shirts or polo models.