We are two weeks away from Wimbledon, and while many fans will be eager to watch the action on the court, there has recently been a greater interest in recreating tennis fashion off the court.
Dubbed Tennis Core, this fashion trend is taking over, becoming the new way to dress in an athleisure manner, especially during the warmer months.
But what exactly is tennis core, and how can you get the look?
We have you covered with this in-depth guide.
What is Tennis Core?
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Essentially, tennis core is about recreating outfits you would see on the tennis court but made more wearable for day-to-day life.
Think pleated skirts, skin-tight tops, tennis dresses, chunky trainers, tennis socks and light jumpers to sling around your shoulders casually.
Accessorise with dainty sunglasses and a green handbag, and put on a cap, visor or a hair band to complete the look.
It is similar to the also trending old money style with its classy, luxurious and timeless look full of neutral tones. However, it is made for more casual activities like going on a walk, grabbing coffee, or even doing your weekly food shop.
Colour choices are important and will distinguish the style. White is the primary colour to focus on, but it is also good to throw in some green to match the colour of the tennis court. Accents of black, navy and grey also work. Make sure to avoid patterns and evident logos.
Where did Tennis Core come from?
Tennis Core has been around for a while, but it just never had a name attached to it.
Princess Diana, who used to grace Wimbledon in the 80s and 90s, was a fashion pioneer at the time. While her spectator outfits were a lot more fancy, she would play tennis in her spare time, and her looks resembled what people would wear now.
While tennis has obviously been popular for a long time, it has gained an even wider and younger audience in the last year thanks to the Netflix documentary series Break Point.
While it got many young people into the sport, it also had women looking at the fashion associated with the sport. It combines a fresh approach to fashion that gives a mature look. Like the sport, it transcends all age groups.
Along with the release of the tennis romance film Challengers and Zendaya’s red carpet looks from the press tour, many people are gravitating towards this new era of athleisure that is dressier than the usual leggings and an oversized hoodie.
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How to Get the Look
If you already play tennis, you’re in luck as you more than likely have some necessary pieces. If not, here are a few websites and items to shop for inspiration.
Lululemon, which is one of the biggest brands in the athleisure sphere, is a good place to start in getting some pieces. They have a whole section of their website dedicated to tennis fashion as does Alo Yoga. There is also Varley, which is in a similar price range.
On the more expensive side, there is Sporty and Rich, which has options for all the family.
While tennis tops and bottoms are generally quite plain but still chic, you can have fun with accessories.
Ever wanted those trendy green handbags, but had no clue what occasion they would work for? Here’s your chance. A green tote like this one from Longchamp is a good option.
Kate Spade also has a bunch of bright green bags including this shoulder bag.
There is also lots of tennis-themed jewellery available including Kate Spade’s gold tennis racquet necklace.
Or you could splurge on a tennis bracelet, a symbol of infinite love, which got its name after officials stopped play when Chris Evert lost her diamond bracelet during a match in the US Open in 1987. Fields has a few options at different price points.
What to buy
Not sure where to start?
Here’s some inspo…
LuluLemon Tennis Dress – €118
Alo Zip Dress – €155
Varley Cardigan – €145
Zara Sweatshirt – €25.95
Next Skort – €28
Dunnes Jumper – €18
Sweaty Betty Visor – €30
Adidas Samba – €120
Lynott’s Tennis Bracelet – €35
Who to follow for inspiration
Besides the obvious, like looking at some of the top female tennis players in the world, there are plenty of others to get inspiration from. We’re big fans of Coco Gauff!
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The girlfriends of some of the current best tennis players are leaning into the newfound tennis core craze by styling outfits for matches or daily activities and posting them on social media.
Current 12th overall player in the world, Taylor Fritz’s girlfriend Morgan Riddle has been one of the many faces of the trend. She even has a partnership with one of the top tennis brands Wilson.
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Right behind Fritz at the number 13 spot is Tommy Paul, who is in a relationship with influencer Paige Lorenze. She has multiple tennis fashion sponsorships, including one with Lacoste.
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At 28th overall is Frances Tiafoe, who is dating Ayan Broomfield, who used to play tennis herself. She has a tennis clothing collection along with Lorenze with Years of Ours.
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Outside of these tennis WAGs, Hailey Bieber has also been wearing the trend with her partnership with Fila.
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While the spectator stands of Wimbledon and other tennis tournaments are often unattainable, you can recreate tennis looks yourself to rock in your everyday life.
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Oh and while you’re at it, go indulge in strawberries and cream while you watch the matches at home.
Words by Amélie Mahony