You don’t have to be a Wimbledon junkie or a Royals gawker to appreciate the Princess of Wales’s latest fashion-meets-fitness move — i.e., donning perfectly pristine whites to train with Roger Federer. Of course, not everyone can train with a world champion, but that doesn’t mean looking smart in tennis togs is out of reach.
So with that as inspiration, and in honor of Wimbledon’s opening on July 3, it’s time we think about tossing on some tennis chic of our own.
Let’s kick things off with the most seminal piece of all: the tennis skirt. Polo Ralph Lauren’s Wimbledon Pleated Wrap Skort ($168 on ralphlauren.com) comes in a ceramic white that pretty much nails the iconic design. I love the subtle side pleating and super smooth front, and its crispness is so nicely contrasted with an emerald green and navy band at the waist — its the pinnacle of prep, met with the ease of shorts, so you can wear them biking all over town after your match.
Equally adorable (though note: not especially designed for actually playing the game) is the Knit Tennis Skirt ($44.99 on brooksbrothers.com), an incredibly comfy and charmingly retro style, with an elastic waistband with a drawcord and side striping in navy and maroon. It’s great on a beach, a golf course, out to brunch, or gallery hopping on any given weekend.
Also wearable all over town is the Levitate Dress ($74.99 on athleta.gap.com), a tennis dress that offers a little more coverage than most. So while it’s fantastic for workouts, thanks to a lightweight SwiftLite fabric that’s sleek and streamlined, it’s also stylish, flattering, and offers enough coverage to wear everyday — including out to lunch or to the farmer’s market.
Or how about the Women’s Stretch Cotton Piqué Polo Dress ($115 on lacoste.com)? It’s the kind of slim-fit, answer-to-all-your-needs, one-stop-shop wardrobe pick that, though it’s a tennis dress, works for multiple events and environments. Its four-button collar and stretch mini cotton piqué keep you looking sharp on dates, at work, in line at the grocery store, and taking the kids to the park.
And even though it reps another sport entirely, does anything say ‘tennis’ quite as clearly as a white polo shirt? Pull on a classic like the Moncler Short Sleeve Polo Shirt ($295 on bloomingdales.com) and you’re already halfway to winning the match. I love the cut of this one — especially the slightly loose side vents and short sleeves with tipped cuffs.
Speaking of which, it doesn’t get any more polished or iconic than the Varsity Heritage Cotton V-Neck Sweater ($98 on vineyardvines.com). With its raglan sleeves and ribbed body, it’s a serious classic, right down to the classic red and navy blue striping at its v-neck and cuffs. Wear it with denim, khakis, or a bright red skirt, and there should be no question that you’ve come to win — even if you’re not playing tennis.
