Athlesiure's Newest Upgrade
On college campuses, tennis core is the new go-to uniform
The introduction of the Ivivva mini tennis skirts in 2009 was one of the primary reasons girls picked up their first racket at a young age. While some found a passion for the sport and continued to pursue tennis for its athletic aspect, others quit once they realized that the tennis courts are not a runway.
The off-court tennis aesthetic has always been present— think back to the Princess Diana era—but as of late, it has made an even bigger mark on the fashion industry. Brands and content creators have begun challenging the idea that athletic clothes can only be worn while working out. Designer labels, including Staud, Miu Miu, and Gucci, created collections inspired by the sport, while other companies, like Sporty and Rich, created collections resembling outfits worn by players.
“The tennis aesthetic is all about big hoops, tight white tops, mini skirts, and the color navy,” says Isabelle Kristiansen, Creative Art Director at Beyond Yoga.
Tennis athleisure, in particular, became popular after COVID-19, considering students who were used to wearing sweatpants to their online lectures were forced to find creative ways to dress up their casual looks when returning to in-person classes.
“Alo Yoga and Outdoor Voices make great tennis dresses. They are super easy to throw on when I’m running errands. Even at the beginning of the semester when it was really hot out, I wore a tennis dress to class because it was easy and airy,” said Grace McHugh, a senior at Syracuse University.
Incorporating comfortability with style allows students to feel more put together while wearing clothing labeled as “athletic” or “too casual.” Athletic clothing tends to act as a base for many outfits. For example, the Aritzia onesie is often paired with a crewneck, baseball hat, ankle socks, and tennis sneakers. This may not be an outfit commonly worn by tennis players, but the idea behind the outfit stems from tennis fashion.
Items once intended for tennis functionality are now being worn for leisure. “Stan Smiths were originally tennis shoes, but now they are less known for being worn by tennis players, and more known for being a trendy everyday shoe,” said Alex Mueller, a Sophomore at Boulder University. By just wearing one item, such as a pair of sneakers originally made for tennis players, people are representing the tennis aesthetic.
Acknowledging how the tennis aesthetic has exploded, companies are creating brands solely based on the tennis core idea.
Items once intended for tennis functionality are now being worn for leisure. “Stan Smiths were originally tennis shoes, but now they are less known for being worn by tennis players, and more known for being a trendy everyday shoe,” said Alex Mueller, a Sophomore at Boulder University. By just wearing one item, such as a pair of sneakers originally made for tennis players, people are representing the tennis aesthetic.
Acknowledging how the tennis aesthetic has exploded, companies are creating brands solely based on the tennis core idea.
“Our tennis collection is a fusion of on-court and off-court apparel, inspired by the unwavering confidence and mission-driven mindset of both tennis professionals and enthusiasts alike,” says Jackie Skye Muller, co-owner of Recreational Habits.
The intersection between tennis and fashion highlights that fashion can find its place in all aspects of the world, but its role differs depending on which lens it’s analyzed through. As influencers and adults of all ages incorporate tennis wear into their everyday looks, brands will continue to make pieces inspired by the sport, allowing fashion to play a larger role in tennis.
“Brands began creating and making tennis athleisure more stylish, focusing on the idea of comfortable style with the intention for their customers to be able to wear hoodies and sweats on a daily basis,” said McHugh.