“Then there was the legendary Parisienne couturier Jean Patou in the 1920s who famously dressed tennis’ first female icon, Suzanne Lenglen, for court, causing a stir with shorter hems and bare arms.” It’s possibly no coincidence that Anna Wintour selected tennis as her sport of choice long ago and remains one of its best known amateurs and fans, with a special soft spot for Roger Federer.
The way to ace the look now is by channelling a socialite, royal or Ivy League aficionado of the 1950s – the Ralph Lauren take on tennis attire. There are tennis-themed collections of this variety at all price points this season.
Naturally, Lacoste, co-founded by legendarily stylish tennis player René Lacoste, is in on the action with tennis skirts, polo shirts and cardigans in delectable pastel shades and grass-greens. For a less obvious but still distinctly sporty take, Serena Bute’s “speed stripes” capsule collection alludes nicely to tennis chic in a way she describes as “effortless and comfortable”.
Among Australian brands, Viktoria & Woods was early to the trend, with pieces from its summer tennis capsule still available. This winter, an easy way to channel tennis chic is with a cable sweater or vest from Friends With Frank or M.J. Bale.
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Varley’s club collection exudes the laid-back, moneyed sophistication you might witness on a Saturday morning at an elite sporting establishment. “Tennis style has a timeless elegance thanks to its classic colours and styles. It’s chic and can easily be incorporated into everyday outfits,” says the label’s co-founder, Lara Mead.
The Telegraph, London, with additional reporting by Melissa Singer.
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