In 2024, you couldn’t include tennis fashion to the courts when you tried. It’s been a terrific 12 months for followers of the game (and its timeless aesthetic): We kicked the summer time off with Challengers (and a corresponding “Tenniscore” lookbook from Zendaya), sailed proper into the Olympics, and we’ve by no means been extra able to obsess over all issues US Open. With all that Grand Slam vitality within the air, it’s no surprise that tennis skirts are instantly all over the place.
Whereas it’s having A Second, the tennis skirt has truly been a staple of its sport for over a century—although not all the time within the functional-meets-flirty type we all know and love. There was a time when an uncovered ankle or—brace your self—calf on the tennis courtroom wasn’t simply trigger for gossip within the stands: It may lead to official fouls. However fortunately, as the game progressed over the twentieth century, tennis skirts additionally obtained a revamp to raised serve the athletes carrying them.
With shorter hemlines, built-in shorts, and breezier materials got here elevated agility on the courts, and a complete new avenue of self expression for gamers. Combing by way of greater than 100 years of images of tennis skirts, I discovered a steadiness of nostalgic parts which have stood the take a look at of time—like crisp pleats and shiny whites—and sufficient private aptitude to maintain issues thrilling, together with retro throwbacks, metallic particulars, and lace.
Beneath, take a look at a visible historical past of the tennis skirt—and keep tuned for extra fashion inspo from the professionals all through the 2024 US Open.
1888
Wager you by no means thought you’d hear “ground size” and “tennis skirt” in reference to the identical garment.
1912
1922
1925
1926
