With Zendaya’s new tennis drama Challengers in cinemas and Wimbledon just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to invest in some white tennis wear and prepare a super cute preppy outfit for Centre Court.
Yes, last week Google reported that searches for “tenniscore” hit an all-time high, which is no surprise considering Zendaya herself has been dishing out some seriously impressive tennis-inspired sexiness on and off the red carpet in promotion for her latest film, in which she plays pro tennis player-turned-coach Tashi.
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We at Cosmo have had extensive coverage of all of Z’s amazing fashion looks (peek our thoughts here), but special mention goes to her preppy Jacquemus polo cut-out dress and, of course, her Loewe tennis ball court shoes. So cute.
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While you may not actually be playing tennis in sequins and pleated maxi skirts, as a fashion team we’re here for all the style inspiration the tenniscore trend has to offer (sorry, hardcore sports fans), but if you want to read about gear you can seriously sweat in, check out our roundup of the best tennis apparel here.
Going back to trends, it’s no secret that fashion has recently taken a preppy turn, with Miu Miu and Prada bringing schoolgirl miniskirts, polo shirts and V-neck cricket jumpers. And with the sun finally shining in the UK, we’re excited about summer fashion – the days will soon be here when we can leave the house without a jacket and just throw on a cropped cardigan.
But don’t get us wrong: You don’t have to have a luxury budget to get on board with the tenniscore trend. Not at all. For 2024, all of our favorite high street brands are also getting on board with the retro athleisure vibe, incorporating pleated game skirts, logo-print sweatshirts, and ’80s sneakers into their latest spring/summer collections.
The secret to keeping your tenniscore on point off the court? Team a pleated A-line mini skirt or fitted cycling shorts with a loose, oversized sweatshirt for a chic off-duty look (just Google Hailey Bieber or Princess Diana for more inspiration). And don’t forget to invest in a pair of high-rise tennis socks to wear with sporty sneakers (the days of trainer socks are over, dear friends).
If you’re not serious about sports fashion and see yourself more as a guest at Wimbledon than a tennis pro, investing in more white items in your summer wardrobe will suffice: pretty summer dresses, tank tops or playsuits will do, and even better, add a little baseball cap just in case.
No matter how keen you are to get into the tenniscore trend (we’re being forceful, sorry, we’ll stop here), keep scrolling to see details of the best tennis dresses, skirts, jumpers and accessories you can buy now…
Best Tennis SkirtsReformation Brandy Linen SkirtLululemon Court Rival High-Rise Skirt
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Sporty & Rich Striped Pleated Stretch Jersey Mini Skirt Lulu Lemon Varsity Pleated Tennis Skirt
Gone are the days when wearing a game skirt to gym class was unacceptable. In fact, now you can wear a game skirt to a weekend brunch or a picnic in the park. Your gym teacher would be proud. To embrace the tenniscore trend, choose a white mini or create a sporty vibe with a cute pleated dress from Sporty & Rich or Lululemon.
Best Tennis Dresses Tala DayFlex Tennis Dress Alo Yoga Charmed Tennis Dress Alo Yoga Tennis Club Knit Dress Sporty Rich Pleated Tennis Dress
If you thought tennis dresses were only for playing on the court, think again. We love to wear them with an oversized denim jacket and XXL sunglasses when we’re not sweating. Looking for something you can wear while working out? Check out the sporty dresses from Opt or Tala, which also have built-in shorts so you can serve without worrying.
Best tennis jumper Tennis embroidered jersey jumper Sporty and rich crown print cotton jersey polo shirt Reiss Brooke cropped polo shirt
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Adanora Sportswear Oversized Sweatshirt
A cute tennis jumper is probably the easiest way to tap into the tenniscore aesthetic without looking too sporty. This summer, pair a basic white tank top and denim shorts with a retro sweatshirt to instantly get you close to the look. Pair it with a preppy polo collar and pastel pieces for extra style points.
Best Tennis Accessories Wilson Trinity Balls 3-Piece Set
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Astrid & Miyu Tennis Chain Bracelet Wilson Tour Slam Adult Tennis Racquet
No tennis core roundup would be complete without this season’s must-have tennis bracelet. Of course, you don’t have to sweat it out on the court to rock this bling-bling jewelry, but we’ve also included *proper* tennis gear (a set of racquets and balls) for those of you inspired by Zendaya’s performance.
See you on the court!
Rosie Davenport is an E-commerce writer for Cosmopolitan UK and Red Online, covering fashion, beauty and travel reviews as well as major sales events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Rosie has reviewed everything from Reformation dresses to the latest massage guns and knows the new brands to bookmark and the latest trends to follow. Prior to this role, she worked as a fashion E-commerce writer for publications such as ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping for almost two years, before completing her MA in Fashion Journalism at Central Saint Martins in 2021, focusing on the rise (and rise) of fashion podcasts. Rosie has also worked for The Times, was deputy editor of the Mail on Sunday’s weekly YOU magazine and produced in-depth retail reports for trend forecasting agency WGSN. The highlight of her career was previewing Prada’s AW21 menswear show during the height of lockdown and interviewing Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons in their bedrooms. Outside of work, Rosie can be found trawling vintage shops or getting lost in London’s famous department stores. You can follow Rosie on Instagram: @rosie.davenport.
