It’s safe to say that the combination of Zendaya, Luca Guadagnino, and Jonathan Anderson is a trio of wicked style. In fact, the film that brings them together Contenders, due out in the US on April 26, may be about a high-stakes ménage à trois between three tennis pros, but the aesthetic will be unmatched. Anderson, creative director of Loewe and his own brand, collaborated with Guadagnino (whose films include More splash and Call me by your name) on the costumes. The designer’s approach to tennis style ensures the enduring fascination with all things cable knits, strawberries and cream, and the pleated skirt continues.
“We’re drawn to the tennis style because it allows people to effortlessly lean into the trend without fully committing to a sporty look,” says Sinead Cutts, style director at The OutNet. “It really doesn’t get much more elegant than the tennis court, and this season we’ll be sure to see subtle nods to quiet luxury and preparedness, giving tennis style a modern edge.”
The other appeal of tenniscore is that you often already have many of the basics. “For the on-court look, I’d recommend breathable fabrics and classic pieces like wide-leg pants and an oversized blazer are always a go-to. It’s the perfect opportunity to have fun styling lifted and clean pieces like polo shirts, A-line skirts and sun hats,” adds Cutts.
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That said, working with staple pieces like skirts and blazers means there’s little wiggle room.
“I would love to see the spring/summer 2024 trends for sheer color and sorbet shades emerge. Pairing a crisp white cotton shirt with a sheer midi skirt will feel elevated and very “on point,” says Cutts.
Tennis has always been a particularly stylish sport. As Vogue wrote in 1926 of fashion designer Jean Patou’s outrageous new suit for tennis star Suzanne Lenglen—a knee-length pleated skirt, orange headband, and sleeveless waistcoat—it was “a tennis suit that is supremely chic in its freedom , the suitability, and excellence of its simple lines”.
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Tenniscore fits into the influx of luxury brands into the sport, from Louis Vuitton making the Australian Open trophies to Ralph Lauren’s role as tournament outfitter. There’s perhaps no better-dressed place for celebs than those who show up at the US Open and Wimbledon – Vogue’s Anna Wintour is famous for playing tennis every morning and is a regular at the tournament.
Australian street photographer Liz Sunshine, who captured the style of attendees at this year’s Australian Open – including Ralph Lauren-clad guests – said on Instagram that in terms of style, the Open is “the new Melbourne Cup”, with spectators embracing both comfort and true personal style.
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Meanwhile, rising alongside the tennis score was the revival of the diamond tennis bracelet, named after tennis champion Chris Evert, who stopped playing at the 1978 US Open when her diamond bracelet broke on court. As Meg Strachan—founder and CEO of the Dorsey brand in Los Angeles, which uses lab-grown sapphires and is beloved by celebrities like Hailey Bieber—told The Wall Street Journal, “Traditionally, it was worn by moms at country clubs . Now you see it on almost everyone.
Noura Sakkijha, co-founder and CEO of Mejuri, believes the take on the tennis bracelet is mostly because it’s something you’ll wear forever – and it works equally well with a tennis skirt as it does with an evening dress.
“Flexibility, timelessness and high-quality pieces that can be kept forever are so important to our customers, and tennis styles embody all of these qualities. They can be dressed up or down, which makes investing in a tennis bracelet so worthwhile,” she says.
