If you're someone who favours an athletic aesthetic, there's one major fashion trend that should be on your radar this season: Tenniscore. Yep, with Wimbledon kicking off, the weather *finally* playing ball, and Zendaya's epic Challengers wardrobe providing endless styling inspiration, it's time to fully embrace centre-court chic once and for all.
Naturally, here at Women's Health, we're big fans of any trend that sees the worlds of fashion and fitness align – but this time around, it seems the tennis fever isn't solely reserved to strictly sporty types. Resale site StockX has reported that trades of tennis shoes are up 35% YoY and interest in tennis-inspired Parisian fashion brand Casablanca has also seen a significant increase, while over on Depop, it's classic court-side preppy brands like Ralph Lauren, Slazenger, Fred Perry and Adidas Stan Smith that have enjoyed the biggest buzz of late.
And crisp Wimbledon whites have been all over the catwalks lately, too. Lacoste returned to Paris Fashion Week earlier this year with a chic, tennis-inspired show held at the iconic Stade Roland-Garros, while the likes of Miu Miu, Celine, Chanel, Brunello Cucinelli and Dior have also sent high-fashion, court-ready skirts, skorts, polo tops and dresses down their recent runways.
But there's no denying it's Zendaya who is really responsible for catapulting the look into the mainstream. Her latest film, Challengers, in which she plays a former tennis prodigy turned coach, has been one of the biggest cinematic hits of the year so far – as much for its steamy love triangle storyline as its seriously covetable elevated athleisure wardrobe, as created by superstar designer Jonathan Anderson.
Not to mention Zendaya's perfectly on-theme press tour looks, that have ranged from a plunging Celia Kritharioti gown in bright tennis-ball green (complete with an actual tennis ball on the front) and a custom Thom Browne dress embroidered with rackets, to more classic court-side staples of pleated dresses, mini-skirts and chunky varsity knits in white, navy and green.
Luckily, however, you don't need a designer budget to get the look: brands like Mango, Free People, H&M, Casablanca, Sporty & Rich, Longchamp, Savage x Fenty and Varley have nailed the brief with tennis-inspired collections that go heavy on the preppy retro vibes – while those seeking performance too should turn to elevated sportswear heroes Lululemon, Alo Yoga, Sweaty Betty, Lacoste, and the like.
Whether you're looking to channel Tenniscore on or off the court, this is the best tennis-inspired fashion to shop now and ensure you literally ace the trend. Accompanying racket, optional.
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Clementina Jackson is the Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health UK, covering everything from and catwalk trends to buzzy brands and the cult products you need to know about (and shop before they sell out). She also commissions first-person and long-form fashion features, oversees and tests out the latest industry innovations. Clementina previously worked as Digital Fashion Editor at , during which time she profiled high-end designers, interviewed everyone from Priyanka Chopra to Jane Fonda, and launched the franchise to shine a light on size-inclusive fashion. During this time, she was also named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner. Having worked in journalism for more than six years, Clementina has also written for the likes of , , , and , covering everything from luxury travel, lifestyle and restaurants to photography and interiors.