I’m not much for the “core” du jour. Barbiecore, mermaidcore—by the time these trends make it to that level of mass-market appeal, I’m already tired of them (along with most of the consumer demographic). That said, I find elements of tenniscore have lingered in my wardrobe. I’ve been wearing a white Lacoste tennis skirt for three summers now. I have a lavender Victoria Beckham knit polo I scored at a resale store on the Upper East Side in heavy rotation. I add an ankle sock to almost everything. Let’s face it: I have fallen victim to tenniscore. The concept combines elements of prep and the immense influence of sports on the current fashion scene in a rather wearable concoction.
The key to embracing this trend in a sustainable manner is to not take it too literally. Pair a pleated skirt with an oversized sweater. Add a button-down and blazer to your favorite athletic shorts. The options are endless. To keep these vibes polished, we’ve turned to old runway looks to inspire our current ensembles. Ahead, see how we did so and try out your own look for the U.S. Open.
Sweater Vest + Striped Shirt + Midi Skirt
Prada Resort ‘20 Look 29;
Photo: Courtesy of Prada
Grab a preppy knit sweater vest and layer it over a striped button-down like in this Prada look. Make sure everything is oversized, and then add a long pleated skirt to the equation. Socks and fisherman sandals keep everything feeling youthful, but the key is a pair of statement earrings to make sure the whole thing doesn’t feel too preppy.
Green Knit Polo + Khaki Pleated Skirt + Red Socks
Lacoste Spring ‘22 Look 4;
Photo: Yanis Vlamos; Courtesy of Lacoste
Louise Trotter’s tenure at Lacoste is the epitome of refined tenniscore. We love this look that embraces tennis silhouettes in natural, earthy tones. The pop of red in the sock and the ironic sunglasses and visor add a much-needed dose of humor to the overall effect.
Athletic Shorts + Blazer + Contrasting Beads
Gucci Spring ‘18 Menswear Look 8;
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
Alessandro Michele’s stint at Gucci is surprisingly riddled with tennis-esque ensembles. We’re obsessed with this particular look from the Gucci menswear collection where he paired athletic shorts with a shirt, tie, and blazer. The orange contrasting beads are the perfect finishing touch.
