With sport’s most stylish tournament about to start — Wimbledon— it’s time for another look at tennis core, the trend inspired by the humble lawn sport from England.
The fashion style has been sweeping social media feeds for years but IRL, the lawn game as we now know it, has had a strict dress code ever since it was revamped in the late 1800s. When the first competitions were created men had to wear a suit and tie, and women, corseted dresses with long sleeves. By the 1920s, French player Suzanne Lenglen wore designs by the couturier Jean Patou on the court and since then, it was game, set, and match for fashion’s love affair with the high-class sport.
Bringing it right up to date, Zendaya’s Challengers press tour was a red carpet of tennis-inspired ensembles. But who can forget her white Loewe stiletto heels skewered by fluro tennis balls? Popular player Emma Raducanu is a Dior ambassador and the highest-ranked Italian player in history, Jannik Sinner, works with Gucci.
China’s love match
Enthusiasts all over China are signing up to play the game. The latest data from the country’s General Administration of Sport finds that players exceed 25 million. Women especially are on the rise — up to 47 percent. With it, all-white, relaxed looks are flooding social media platforms like Red Note, Douyin, and Bilibili from KOLS and influencers eager to show their sport credentials.
The rise of domestic players who have broken onto the global playing field include Zheng Qinwen, the highest-ranked Chinese female player, and Zhang Zhizhen who leads the men's rankings. The Olympic gold medal winner Zheng has a long list of collaborations from Dior — she’s the newest global ambassador — to Lancôme.
And, as we know, China's Gen Z loves nothing more than an idol. That, and being healthy of course, so the sport’s emphasis on fitness means it’s the perfect way to stay fit as well as flex your OFTD. Of course, it's not gone unnoticed that the desire for bottom-skimming skirts and smart tops is cut from the same cloth as the quiet money style — think understated, low-key, and old money.
No wonder there’s been a rise in American labels like Ralph Lauren and disruptor Sporty & Rich (whose vintage sportswear is coming to ENG in the near future!) as well as French house Lacoste (inventors of the iconic polo shirt in1933!). From Miu Miu to Celine, it’s a look that's invaded the runways too.
Even homegrown brands like Moonball and Particle are selling court essentials. In short, there’s no shortage of names to parade on the court — or off.
So, ready to serve and volley? We’ll talk you through a few of the most provocative ways to flaunt your tennis garb — especially if you’re not quite sure if the preppy vibe is for you.
How to ace the tennis core look
Ok, let’s focus on the basics but be warned, we can’t be basic (it’s just not in our nature). Nonetheless, a tailored polo is simply the easiest way to warm up whether you’re watching from the sidelines or slicing the ball.
We love this sleeveless striped polo top from the Korean sister label Open YY. It comes with a button up-front, a wrap-around tie, and sexy cutouts at the back. The ethos behind Open YY stands for diversity, no matter how much you want to run with the crowd—which is perfect for our spicy version of tenniscore. Match it with a white pleated mini from sustainability champion Marine Serre that's made from upcycled household linen with raw edges.
Next up, we have a look from Chinese brand Didu from a special collaboration with ENG called ENG INTERNALIZATION OF CREATIVITY, which invites various talents to design exclusively for the store. Moving away from base white, this varsity T-shirt in blue perforated polyester but a sharp white collar. A cheeky No Photos slogan runs across the back. Pair it with the matching school-girl pants with a striped tie fastening and a mischievous trompe-l’oeil double-waistband.
Here’s another easy way to channel your inner serve: a dress from 2000 Archives. This women's clothing label works with vintage clothing from the decade that gave us Britney Spears and the rise of the internet (yes there was life before Instagram and smartphones, believe it or not!).
The white Angel Slip is a grungy take on the regulation tennis dress only if worn by Courtney Love — and to a concert, not the court. But hey, not everyone is sporty, right? We love the dainty lace inserts and the tagline “We are pure and fearless” printed along the hem.
For a final touch, add an Angel Energy Cap in denim to keep the sun off your face as you survey the play. It comes in grey and has cute white lace earflaps.
How the Tenniscore rulebook is playing out keeps us awake at night. It's a movement and we're here for it. Now, we have one motto, as Wyclef Jean sang: “Her name is Venus, ruler of the universe.”
