Tennis core fashion: how we can get the aesthetic in time for summer

The much-anticipated release of the film Challengers starring Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor has ushered in a newfound infatuation with the tennis core aesthetic. With summer coming and wardrobes being revamped, shorts are being ditched for skorts and people will wear pretty much anything if it has a Ralph Lauren logo on. The large online presence of personalities such as Coco Gauff and Morgan Riddle equally spur on excitement for this summer trend. With Cosmopolitan asserting: “tennis core outfits will be everywhere this summer”, it begs the question – what is tennis core and how do you capture this aesthetic? Better yet, as students, how do we assume this preppy aesthetic on a budget?

One of the iconic pieces of tennis core fashion must of course be the tennis skirt or tennis skort

Tennis core fashion is all about getting that on court look, off court. It offers an effortless grace that combines a sleek sportiness with a sense of an old money, preppy aesthetic. Channelling your inner Wimbledon and looking ready to hit a ball at all times may seem a bit much, but it has actually led to some fashion trends that seem set to take over and I think some will stay around. As British Vogue asserts: “tennis is a sport known for its particularity when it comes to its uniform’’ and it is this attention to detail and particularity with garments that gives the aesthetic a sense of luxury and exclusivity that people strive for in fashion. Whilst the aesthetic itself is much more lenient at what can be included in the tennis core style than the actual sporting jurisdiction over all white, there are some timeless pieces of tennis core fashion that give the aesthetic its household name.

One of the iconic pieces of tennis core fashion must of course be the tennis skirt or tennis skort. Seen on the court and off court, the tennis skirt offers a comfortable and effortless summer look. With the surging popularity of skorts, many people are incorporating this sporty chic into their summer staples. Many of them come with the added bonus of pockets – music to every girl’s ears.

The tennis core aesthetic feeds nicely into the country club aesthetic. A signpost of the intersection between the two is an over occupation with Ralph Lauren, specifically cable knit jumpers. These jumpers are the embodiment of the aesthetic (specifically the American flag one – if you know you know) and they’re all over Vinted for quite affordable prices, making it a student friendly option. Similarly, tennis dresses and blouses with exaggerated collars emulate not only high fashion and a nod to that ‘old money’ vibe, but also are welcomed under the tennis core umbrella.

This intersection between the formal Wimbledon whites and the gimmick of fun tennis fashion offers something for everyone

Crew socks, bows and headbands are also surefire signs that tennis core fashion has wormed its way into your wardrobe, alongside pleats, polos and caps. If you’re more interested in a subtle incorporation of the Challengers trend, tennis court shoes are a stylish but less obvious alternative, and they’re comfortable and durable which is an added bonus.

Alternatively, if you want to adopt the trend more overtly, accessories including tennis ball earrings, purses and necklaces that are being released by many fashion brands. This intersection between the formal Wimbledon whites and the gimmick of fun tennis fashion offers something for everyone, making this niche aesthetic more accessible to all.

Overall, tennis core is a trend ushered in by the Challengers hype and summer excitement but some pieces of this aesthetic have a durability to them. For example, I believe skorts are set to stay due to the convenience and breathability of the sports fabric. In a similar vein, Ralph Lauren has and will prevail to be a staple in many wardrobes and crew socks simply aren’t going anywhere. So, this summer why not try and incorporate some tennis core into your wardrobe?