How Tennis Captured the Fashion World This Summer

Pleated skirts, polo shirts, and crisp white sneakers are the key fashion elements inspired by tennis this season. Let's explore how best to integrate these pieces into your wardrobe.

Every year, fashion editors highlight the timelessness of the pleated skirt. "Timeless" is a significant and often overused term, but it fits perfectly when describing the pleated skirt. This versatile piece has been part of various contexts for decades—from daily wear and formal events to school uniforms and sports attire.

In recent years, pleated skirts have become synonymous with tennis tournaments—events that captivate people worldwide, regardless of their familiarity with the sport. The pleated skirt made its tennis debut in 1921 when French player Suzanne Lenglen shocked the Wimbledon crowd with her outfit designed by Jean Patou. She wore a knee-length skirt and a top that bared her arms. In 1926, Vogue praised Patou's design as a "tennis costume with exceptional ease of movement, event appropriateness, and perfect simplicity." Since then, tennis skirts have become shorter and more popular, making them a must-have. Miuccia Prada has significantly contributed to this trend's resurgence, with polo shirts and pleated skirts starring in Miu Miu's Fall/Winter 2022/2023 collection. In Miu Miu's Spring/Summer 2022 collection, the designer introduced the viral micro-mini. Chanel's Resort 2023 collection also offered its take on "tenniscore," featuring models with tennis bags, sneakers, and tweed tennis outfits.

The tennis-inspired fashion trend owes its popularity to the sport's association with luxury. Tennis enthusiasts often resemble members of country clubs, maintaining their sports attire in pristine white, donning Polo Ralph Lauren sweaters, and sipping Perrier during breaks. Additionally, tennis has numerous celebrity fans frequently seen in the stands, further blending wealth and fashion.

Tennis has influenced fashion beyond clothing, extending to jewelry. In 1987, during a match, American player Chris Evert's diamond bracelet broke and fell off, which she retrieved mid-game, giving rise to the term "tennis bracelet." In 2023, Italian player Jannik Sinner became the first in Wimbledon history to bring a monogrammed Gucci bag onto the court, replacing the typical plain sports bags with branded luxury.

The film "Challengers" by Luca Guadagnino also played a role in reviving tennis in popular culture, adding a touch of sensuality to the sport. Zendaya's wardrobe during the film's press tour, filled with tennis-inspired references, sparked significant interest. The film itself is a fashion celebration, with costumes designed by Jonathan Anderson, who modernized vintage sportswear, making it viral. Particularly popular is the T-shirt with the slogan "I TOLD YA," inspired by John F. Kennedy Jr.'s tee.

As tennis fever sweeps the globe, why not embrace its offerings in both sport and style? Here are our favorite pieces to master the tennis aesthetic, whether on or off the court.