Clean-cut garments continue to be popular in the court. Well known players in the sports garment industry like Nike and Adidas agree. Items like Nike’s Serena Day Dress—with its bold color, lean waistline, and pleated bubble skirt—are a perfect example, showing polished elegance with clean lines.
Other great choices for tennis apparel this summer is the Neon Yellow shirt in the Adidas Competition Line, with its ClimaCool technology that’s set to wow more than a few fashion conscious tennis fans and players alike. Both clothes though, aside from setting function over fashion, also point to essentially the same thing: it’s not the clothes, it’s the player.
However, since the news announcing plans of Ralph Lauren putting up a retail store underneath the Louis Armstrong Stadium circulated, some say change might just be in the air. The talks and rumors have already started. And it doesn’t seem all that likely they’ll end any time soon. The move, after all, is not only guaranteed to raise eyebrows but also to put small vendors on the alert.
The contract, a four year arrangement, is part of a new sponsorship deal that makes Polo Ralph Lauren the official apparel sponsor, replacing Fila. Widespread on-court branding is expected to be one of the perks in the bag.
The company says it will outfit all court personnel. This means fans can now look forward to seeing umpires, ball people and other staff sporting Polo’s all-too-familiar logo. Line judge stand-in boxes will also be expected to bear the company’s logo. Judging from this, it’s clear that the transition has already started.
Not to say that Scott Oudsema, US Open’s young tennis sensation, is also set to model and promote a number of Ralph Lauren tennis apparel and products. It’s safe to say that the company has its hands full these days.
"We do very few events, only in an upscale way. The clothes will be refined," remarks David Lauren. Lauren manages the marketing as well as in-house advertising in New York. "There'll be some nice surprises—fresh takes on the high-tech performance gear inspired by our RLX line. It'll be Polo, but with a modern, performance-oriented twist."
Chief business officer at the United States Tennis Association, Pierce O'Neil, termed the pact "a powerful statement regarding the vitality" of pro tennis. "[It] creates a natural platform for the integration of design, fashion and sport."
The remark is one way to ensure that objections from “purists” are addressed.
After all, while tennis buffs love to see their favorite players striking wins in court—decked out in stylish threads—overt brand commercialism is not a very good way to win their affection. Tennis, with all the brands, all the sponsors, the clothes, is still about the game, about the players, about the sport. It’s about the sweat, rage, joy in court. That’s the blood and bone of the game. Anything that takes away from that isn’t likely to make the company a winner for a number of tennis enthusiasts.
It’s like what they say: what next? Choices for tennis apparel these days run to tight and stylish sets, to cool and comfortable dresses in bold colors, to separates that allow ease of movement and cover very little. That’s what we have right now.
With Ralph Lauren in the court, are we going to have to look forward to fashion shows in the US OPEN now? Is couture tennis apparel going to be the norm very soon?
Many, if not probably most of us, hope not.
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Tips for Buying Tennis Apparel
Tennis has been around for a really long while now and with that length of stay and popularity, there had been multiple fads and trends that came with it. When it comes to tennis apparel, there had been countless style changes, fads, revolutions and innovations over the past years and it shows no evidence of stopping any time soon.
So the long and short of it is that when it comes to the kind of tennis apparel you should buy, the possibilities are endless and you can be that trendsetter or the innovator or the revolutionist or simply the person who is in style. No matter how you see yourself and what you are wearing there are still some good tips for buying tennis apparel out there.
What you should consider
The most important thing that you need to remember when buying tennis apparel is that it's like buying equipment as well, the amount of attention you give the little details. You need to remember that those little details are as important as the bigger details and the big picture itself.
Talking about details what are the bigger details that we have to look into when buying tennis apparel. Number one is gender; this is the first consideration because being male or female dictates the kind of apparel you will buy. If you are a man then definitely you are looking into shirts and short pants or jerseys.
On the other hand if you are a woman tennis aficionado then you may be looking into skirts, sports dresses and the like. This factor is one the of the very first things you have to look into because you may be good but if you are a man into a woman's tennis gear then it's a bit off foot.
Next thing you have to look into is comfort. it's very important that a player woman or man be comfortable in the gear they wear. This is because discomfort during a game can give you disastrous results. Anybody remember the Pacqiuao fight where he got a bad blister in the foot just because he wasn't wearing his brand of socks. Some may think of it as being too prima dona but when you think about the fact that most professional athletes share the same sentiments as he did that time.
You need to be comfortable with the gear on your back so you can focus on your game. If the shirt is too tight or too itchy then you have to think about that as well as thinking whether to throw back a lob or a drive. Another thing to consider is the price. A lot of people can wish all day long on getting the latest signature tennis shoes or the latest in Nike's tennis wear collection but the bottom line is that it would be just too much for a minimum wage earner.
The price of the tennis apparel that you are thinking of buying is important because it may be too much for a C type of game. When buying tennis apparel you need to remember that you need to be wise enough to know than not everything that's expensive is the best quality. Remember all of these things when you are looking into buying tennis apparel for yourself or even for other people.
So the long and short of it is that when it comes to the kind of tennis apparel you should buy, the possibilities are endless and you can be that trendsetter or the innovator or the revolutionist or simply the person who is in style. No matter how you see yourself and what you are wearing there are still some good tips for buying tennis apparel out there.
What you should consider
The most important thing that you need to remember when buying tennis apparel is that it's like buying equipment as well, the amount of attention you give the little details. You need to remember that those little details are as important as the bigger details and the big picture itself.
Talking about details what are the bigger details that we have to look into when buying tennis apparel. Number one is gender; this is the first consideration because being male or female dictates the kind of apparel you will buy. If you are a man then definitely you are looking into shirts and short pants or jerseys.
On the other hand if you are a woman tennis aficionado then you may be looking into skirts, sports dresses and the like. This factor is one the of the very first things you have to look into because you may be good but if you are a man into a woman's tennis gear then it's a bit off foot.
Next thing you have to look into is comfort. it's very important that a player woman or man be comfortable in the gear they wear. This is because discomfort during a game can give you disastrous results. Anybody remember the Pacqiuao fight where he got a bad blister in the foot just because he wasn't wearing his brand of socks. Some may think of it as being too prima dona but when you think about the fact that most professional athletes share the same sentiments as he did that time.
You need to be comfortable with the gear on your back so you can focus on your game. If the shirt is too tight or too itchy then you have to think about that as well as thinking whether to throw back a lob or a drive. Another thing to consider is the price. A lot of people can wish all day long on getting the latest signature tennis shoes or the latest in Nike's tennis wear collection but the bottom line is that it would be just too much for a minimum wage earner.
The price of the tennis apparel that you are thinking of buying is important because it may be too much for a C type of game. When buying tennis apparel you need to remember that you need to be wise enough to know than not everything that's expensive is the best quality. Remember all of these things when you are looking into buying tennis apparel for yourself or even for other people.
Tennis Apparel for Kids
For parents who have kids who are into tennis, the best thing that they could do to guide them is to provide the right tennis apparel. This is because with the right tennis apparel would not only ensure that they would be comfortable when playing the game but would also ensure their safety while practicing or during their actual games.
Since the right set of tennis apparel is of high quality and could withstand pressure during the game, it is not surprising that these could be expensive. The prices would be doubled when these are signature items from popular sports brands and stores.
These days—because of the popularity of tennis as a sport for people of all ages—more and more companies are coming p with their tennis apparel that are high quality but not as pricey when compared to those that one sees in TV or in giant bill boards that are endorsed by well known tennis superstars such as Maria Sharapova, Anna Kournikova or by the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus.
If you are one of those parents that are looking forward to giving their kids—who are playing tennis—the best tennis apparel there is without leaving your bank account empty or putting your credit limit to its highest, then this is the time to conduct a simple research about it.
What you can do is take some time off to visit stores or sports centers and canvass for the tennis apparel that your child needs. If you don’t have time to visit the stores, what you can do is to conduct your canvassing or research online. You can do this by visiting sites that offer information on kids' tennis apparel and where you can buy them without having to spend so much.
Major considerations when choosing kids' tennis apparel
Most often than not, the parents are the ones who are more excited when their kids finally start playing tennis. This is the reason why the parents take so much time in looking for kids' tennis apparel. When you have finally decided to buy the things that your child needs when playing tennis, consider the following details:
1.) The hat. This is one of the most important tennis apparel that the child who plays tennis needs. Since the sport is played outdoors, it is necessary that the child is protected from the hard rays of the sun. This will ensure that he or she could maintain a healthy skin despite constant exposure to the sun's light. In choosing the hat for tennis, make sure that the size is just enough to fit the child's head.
It should not be snug fit to ensure that it will not fall down when the child is playing and it should be not be too tight so the scalp can breathe. A snug fit hat is important to ensure that the child's vision would not be affected. To ensure this, be meticulous on the sunscreen in the hat. The best options would be hats from Adidas and Nike, which are ideal for most of the kids who play tennis.
2.) Pay attention to the shoes. Many parents are aware that tennis is one sport that requires a lot of footwork. In addition, these are not just simple foot works but quick foot action that would affect the child's feet if no protection is provided by the shoes. In choosing tennis apparel such as shoes, opt for those pairs that provide best ankle support.
Since the right set of tennis apparel is of high quality and could withstand pressure during the game, it is not surprising that these could be expensive. The prices would be doubled when these are signature items from popular sports brands and stores.
These days—because of the popularity of tennis as a sport for people of all ages—more and more companies are coming p with their tennis apparel that are high quality but not as pricey when compared to those that one sees in TV or in giant bill boards that are endorsed by well known tennis superstars such as Maria Sharapova, Anna Kournikova or by the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus.
If you are one of those parents that are looking forward to giving their kids—who are playing tennis—the best tennis apparel there is without leaving your bank account empty or putting your credit limit to its highest, then this is the time to conduct a simple research about it.
What you can do is take some time off to visit stores or sports centers and canvass for the tennis apparel that your child needs. If you don’t have time to visit the stores, what you can do is to conduct your canvassing or research online. You can do this by visiting sites that offer information on kids' tennis apparel and where you can buy them without having to spend so much.
Major considerations when choosing kids' tennis apparel
Most often than not, the parents are the ones who are more excited when their kids finally start playing tennis. This is the reason why the parents take so much time in looking for kids' tennis apparel. When you have finally decided to buy the things that your child needs when playing tennis, consider the following details:
1.) The hat. This is one of the most important tennis apparel that the child who plays tennis needs. Since the sport is played outdoors, it is necessary that the child is protected from the hard rays of the sun. This will ensure that he or she could maintain a healthy skin despite constant exposure to the sun's light. In choosing the hat for tennis, make sure that the size is just enough to fit the child's head.
It should not be snug fit to ensure that it will not fall down when the child is playing and it should be not be too tight so the scalp can breathe. A snug fit hat is important to ensure that the child's vision would not be affected. To ensure this, be meticulous on the sunscreen in the hat. The best options would be hats from Adidas and Nike, which are ideal for most of the kids who play tennis.
2.) Pay attention to the shoes. Many parents are aware that tennis is one sport that requires a lot of footwork. In addition, these are not just simple foot works but quick foot action that would affect the child's feet if no protection is provided by the shoes. In choosing tennis apparel such as shoes, opt for those pairs that provide best ankle support.
Tennis Apparel Men’s Shirt Guide
Aside from practicing our best shots on a sweet spot of our tennis racket to eliminate our opponent, we are also thinking on what’s the right apparel for us. With gender conscious that men and women had a different Tennis Apparel Shirt. Through this article, we will serve as your guide in buying different tennis apparel shirts for men as well as their suggested brands and prices.
The Adidas Competition Tee 2009 Men Shirt: when your opponent is soaking wet like a sponge and panic all over the tennis court that’s the time you understand that your shirt helps you a lot with its muscle support and proper ventilation in your body and you can buy this for only $29.95 to $45.00. With this Adidas Competition Theme Polo, your opponent will eventually realize that you are hitting him hard with your proper ventilation polo for the price of $36.95 to $55.00 only. Another Adidas product is the Adidas Competition Traditional Polo 2009 Men for only $32.95 to $50.00.
Prince AeroTech Comp Crew Men, Crew SS Polo Men, and Tour 3 Crew Men is definitely cool you through the entire play and makes you dry for the price between $19.95 to $45.00 only.
If you want a humidity wicking fabric with mesh inserts under the arms and a body mapping mesh insert at the back that is lightweight with incredible ventilation as well as cool and comfortable the K-Swiss designs such as the 7.0 Shortsleeve Crew Neck Top, K-Swiss Accomplish Crew For Men and the Zip Polo for only $14.95 to $60.00.
Fila also gives you a nice look with comfortably and nice breathing through their Baseline Short Sleeve Top Men and Baseline Solid Polo Men ranges from $35.95 to $50.00.
The Babolat Logo T-shirt Men has a ribbed neck crew collar 100% cotton tee and features screen printed a logo on the back left and left chest side for the price of $11.95 to $15.00 only.
If you want a quick dry materials shirt helping you to remove wetness outside the garment to let it evaporate more without difficulty why not try the Sergio Tacchini Dallas Crew and the Sergio Tacchini Dallas Polo for only $38.00 and $46.00 respectively.
You can also try the Reebok products like the Innovative Button Polo Men, KFS Crew Men, KFS Zip Polo Men, Pro Vision Torque Crew Men, UV PlayDry Polo Men, and the Vector Classic T-shirt that makes you cool and dry with a selling prices between $9.95 to $55.00 only.
If you want an against-ultraviolet rays technologies shirts, you must try the Wilson products such as Wilson Backhand Polo Men ($41.95 to $52.50); Wilson Dead Net Crew Men ($35.95 to $45.00); Wilson Fast Court Polo Men ($41.95 to $52.50); Wilson Performance Polo Men ($35.95 to $45.00); Wilson Singles Crew Men ($35.95 to $45.00); or the Wilson Straight Sets Crew Men ($35.95 to $45.00).
Either you are dreaming to have a title match with Carlos Agassi or any famous men tennis player, you have to invest your energy and money to any of the mentioned products above to makes your body a wide ventilation for your breathing and comfortable weight. You have to invest the right Tennis Apparel Shirts for masculinity in your greatest performance with wide movements and hard-hitting sweet spot on your tennis racket.
The Adidas Competition Tee 2009 Men Shirt: when your opponent is soaking wet like a sponge and panic all over the tennis court that’s the time you understand that your shirt helps you a lot with its muscle support and proper ventilation in your body and you can buy this for only $29.95 to $45.00. With this Adidas Competition Theme Polo, your opponent will eventually realize that you are hitting him hard with your proper ventilation polo for the price of $36.95 to $55.00 only. Another Adidas product is the Adidas Competition Traditional Polo 2009 Men for only $32.95 to $50.00.
Prince AeroTech Comp Crew Men, Crew SS Polo Men, and Tour 3 Crew Men is definitely cool you through the entire play and makes you dry for the price between $19.95 to $45.00 only.
If you want a humidity wicking fabric with mesh inserts under the arms and a body mapping mesh insert at the back that is lightweight with incredible ventilation as well as cool and comfortable the K-Swiss designs such as the 7.0 Shortsleeve Crew Neck Top, K-Swiss Accomplish Crew For Men and the Zip Polo for only $14.95 to $60.00.
Fila also gives you a nice look with comfortably and nice breathing through their Baseline Short Sleeve Top Men and Baseline Solid Polo Men ranges from $35.95 to $50.00.
The Babolat Logo T-shirt Men has a ribbed neck crew collar 100% cotton tee and features screen printed a logo on the back left and left chest side for the price of $11.95 to $15.00 only.
If you want a quick dry materials shirt helping you to remove wetness outside the garment to let it evaporate more without difficulty why not try the Sergio Tacchini Dallas Crew and the Sergio Tacchini Dallas Polo for only $38.00 and $46.00 respectively.
You can also try the Reebok products like the Innovative Button Polo Men, KFS Crew Men, KFS Zip Polo Men, Pro Vision Torque Crew Men, UV PlayDry Polo Men, and the Vector Classic T-shirt that makes you cool and dry with a selling prices between $9.95 to $55.00 only.
If you want an against-ultraviolet rays technologies shirts, you must try the Wilson products such as Wilson Backhand Polo Men ($41.95 to $52.50); Wilson Dead Net Crew Men ($35.95 to $45.00); Wilson Fast Court Polo Men ($41.95 to $52.50); Wilson Performance Polo Men ($35.95 to $45.00); Wilson Singles Crew Men ($35.95 to $45.00); or the Wilson Straight Sets Crew Men ($35.95 to $45.00).
Either you are dreaming to have a title match with Carlos Agassi or any famous men tennis player, you have to invest your energy and money to any of the mentioned products above to makes your body a wide ventilation for your breathing and comfortable weight. You have to invest the right Tennis Apparel Shirts for masculinity in your greatest performance with wide movements and hard-hitting sweet spot on your tennis racket.
Tennis Apparel at Wimbledon
Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and the grandest of the Grand Slam tennis tournaments. It has a rich tradition, ingrained in various aspects of the game, from the court to the tennis apparel used in the tournament.
When the tournament rolls on in suburban London between late June and early July, expect to see a sea of white. That’s because the participants in the prestigious tournament are all required to wear white. Well, it’s not that strict. Tennis apparel used in the Wimbledon tournament can simply be “mostly white”. Color accents are allowed, too.
Still, check this out: All manufacturers need to submit the designs for their players’ apparel ahead of the championships. The All England Club will then decide to approve the designs, so that they fit the standards of Wimbledon.
Traditional garb for male tennis players are thigh-length shorts and polo shirts. However, in the 2008 Wimbledon championship, a wardrobe war was the sidelight of the match between then-Number 1 Roger Federer of Switzerland and upstart Rafael Nadal of Spain. Federer was the reflection of the classy tennis player, while Nadal was clad in relatively outlandish garb.
Nadal had a sleeveless top and his usual long shorts, but at least they were all white. Besides, he won the title, so who’s going to argue with that? Incidentally, Nadal also clinched the world number 1 ranking right after that. Besides, even the All England Club attested to the validity of his getup. One spokesman even cited past players who have all worn longer pants even before Nadal came into the picture.
American Serena Williams once took to the court in a white trench coat, quite possibly one of the most stunning displays of chic tennis apparel in history. Prim and proper Roger Federer added more positives to his fashion portfolio when he competed in a cable knit sweater that just says “classy”. It’s always a treat to see what kind of variations on the set standard players and designers come up with. No wonder some people even call Wimbledon the ‘catwalk of tennis apparel’. You don’t only bring your ‘A’ game, you also need to bring your ‘A’ style.
With all the white jerseys on the court, it’s easy to assume that the traditional color of Wimbledon is white. However, the tournament’s colors are actually purple and dark green. It’s just the players’ attire that is traditionally white.
Perhaps one of the marks of such a prestigious grand slam series is that even the officials also have their own clothing. From the chair umpire to the linesmen and ball boys / ball girls, each has a standard set of uniforms. The current uniforms are colored navy blue and cream, all designed by highly-acclaimed American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. The new uniforms were used starting in 2006, and the contract with the designer lasts up to 2009. Prior to that year, the standard uniform color was green. Whether the navy blue clothing is retained or a new one is adopted remains to be seen.
The Championships, Wimbledon is really the pinnacle of tennis. It’s the most prestigious of the four Grand Slams, and the sheer age of the tournament is enough to realize that there’s a lot of tradition involved. That’s why it remains at the top of everything in the tennis world—even something relatively trivial as tennis apparel.
When the tournament rolls on in suburban London between late June and early July, expect to see a sea of white. That’s because the participants in the prestigious tournament are all required to wear white. Well, it’s not that strict. Tennis apparel used in the Wimbledon tournament can simply be “mostly white”. Color accents are allowed, too.
Still, check this out: All manufacturers need to submit the designs for their players’ apparel ahead of the championships. The All England Club will then decide to approve the designs, so that they fit the standards of Wimbledon.
Traditional garb for male tennis players are thigh-length shorts and polo shirts. However, in the 2008 Wimbledon championship, a wardrobe war was the sidelight of the match between then-Number 1 Roger Federer of Switzerland and upstart Rafael Nadal of Spain. Federer was the reflection of the classy tennis player, while Nadal was clad in relatively outlandish garb.
Nadal had a sleeveless top and his usual long shorts, but at least they were all white. Besides, he won the title, so who’s going to argue with that? Incidentally, Nadal also clinched the world number 1 ranking right after that. Besides, even the All England Club attested to the validity of his getup. One spokesman even cited past players who have all worn longer pants even before Nadal came into the picture.
American Serena Williams once took to the court in a white trench coat, quite possibly one of the most stunning displays of chic tennis apparel in history. Prim and proper Roger Federer added more positives to his fashion portfolio when he competed in a cable knit sweater that just says “classy”. It’s always a treat to see what kind of variations on the set standard players and designers come up with. No wonder some people even call Wimbledon the ‘catwalk of tennis apparel’. You don’t only bring your ‘A’ game, you also need to bring your ‘A’ style.
With all the white jerseys on the court, it’s easy to assume that the traditional color of Wimbledon is white. However, the tournament’s colors are actually purple and dark green. It’s just the players’ attire that is traditionally white.
Perhaps one of the marks of such a prestigious grand slam series is that even the officials also have their own clothing. From the chair umpire to the linesmen and ball boys / ball girls, each has a standard set of uniforms. The current uniforms are colored navy blue and cream, all designed by highly-acclaimed American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. The new uniforms were used starting in 2006, and the contract with the designer lasts up to 2009. Prior to that year, the standard uniform color was green. Whether the navy blue clothing is retained or a new one is adopted remains to be seen.
The Championships, Wimbledon is really the pinnacle of tennis. It’s the most prestigious of the four Grand Slams, and the sheer age of the tournament is enough to realize that there’s a lot of tradition involved. That’s why it remains at the top of everything in the tennis world—even something relatively trivial as tennis apparel.
Marketing Tennis Apparel
With millions of casual and professional players and a worldwide following as one of the most popular spectator sports, there’s no wonder that sports apparel companies capitalize on the marketing potential by having the players wear various kinds of tennis apparel. That’s why we see a lot of the stars wearing definitive collections of clothes from major sports clothing brands such as Nike, Adidas, and others.
An excellent example of this is the current marketing of the clothing lines of top players in men’s singles such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Both players are under Nike when it comes to their tennis gear, and the contrast between the apparel of the two players works to the company’s advantage. Aside from the stark difference in playing style, the two figureheads of the tennis scene also have contrasting tennis fashion sense. Nike works this to its advantage by making the players’ tennis gear fit their own personal styles. Federer is the formal one, with his thigh-length shorts and standard-fit polos. Nadal is the renegade, with his sleeveless tops, capri shorts, and broad bandanas.
While men’s tennis seems to be a stickler for the traditional style, women’s tennis has seen tremendous variations over the years. Perhaps it has to do with the equation of women and fashion—there’s just too much to play with when it comes to women’s clothing.
Who can forget Serena Williams’ shiny black catsuit in the 2002 US Open? There’s also Bethanie Mattek’s body-hugging leopard-print getup in the 2004 US Open. Then again, when it comes to over-the-top outfits, Maria Sharapova’s Swarovski-studded gear bedazzled the US Open in 2007.
Another factor that women’s tennis has going for it is the sex appeal. Yes, folks, there are a ton of people who watch women’s tennis because those long-limbed ladies are simply irresistible in the variety of tennis gear. Some might find the fashion sense of scantily-clad women’s tennis players somehow offensive.
However, the fanciful garb combined with the on-court action really just blends into something that transcends form and skin. The curves of the players are accented by the motion of their skirts, which make watching women’s tennis a visual treat all its own. That’s why many find delight in seeing the various forms of Dinara Safina, Ana Ivanovic, and Maria Sharapova whether it’s on TV, on the Net, or live.
Marketing tennis players and their apparel sometimes overshadows the game itself. For example, one of the most well-known tennis stars is Anna Kournikova. A quick scan of her pro career shows nothing spectacular, although she was one of the best doubles players in the women’s circuit back then. In singles, though, she had 4 finals appearances in 130 tournaments, and never winning one. She never made it to any Grand Slam event final.
Still, her celebrity came mainly from becoming one of the poster girls for tennis apparel. She became popular and appreciated for her modeling shoots, which have been perceived as quite sexy and beautiful. Just how popular did she become? Get this: Her name was one of the most-searched strings of text on Google a while back.
Tennis apparel, in its various forms and incarnations, has tremendous marketing potential. So long as you can find the right type of gear for the right kind of player, it’s a winning combination.
An excellent example of this is the current marketing of the clothing lines of top players in men’s singles such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Both players are under Nike when it comes to their tennis gear, and the contrast between the apparel of the two players works to the company’s advantage. Aside from the stark difference in playing style, the two figureheads of the tennis scene also have contrasting tennis fashion sense. Nike works this to its advantage by making the players’ tennis gear fit their own personal styles. Federer is the formal one, with his thigh-length shorts and standard-fit polos. Nadal is the renegade, with his sleeveless tops, capri shorts, and broad bandanas.
While men’s tennis seems to be a stickler for the traditional style, women’s tennis has seen tremendous variations over the years. Perhaps it has to do with the equation of women and fashion—there’s just too much to play with when it comes to women’s clothing.
Who can forget Serena Williams’ shiny black catsuit in the 2002 US Open? There’s also Bethanie Mattek’s body-hugging leopard-print getup in the 2004 US Open. Then again, when it comes to over-the-top outfits, Maria Sharapova’s Swarovski-studded gear bedazzled the US Open in 2007.
Another factor that women’s tennis has going for it is the sex appeal. Yes, folks, there are a ton of people who watch women’s tennis because those long-limbed ladies are simply irresistible in the variety of tennis gear. Some might find the fashion sense of scantily-clad women’s tennis players somehow offensive.
However, the fanciful garb combined with the on-court action really just blends into something that transcends form and skin. The curves of the players are accented by the motion of their skirts, which make watching women’s tennis a visual treat all its own. That’s why many find delight in seeing the various forms of Dinara Safina, Ana Ivanovic, and Maria Sharapova whether it’s on TV, on the Net, or live.
Marketing tennis players and their apparel sometimes overshadows the game itself. For example, one of the most well-known tennis stars is Anna Kournikova. A quick scan of her pro career shows nothing spectacular, although she was one of the best doubles players in the women’s circuit back then. In singles, though, she had 4 finals appearances in 130 tournaments, and never winning one. She never made it to any Grand Slam event final.
Still, her celebrity came mainly from becoming one of the poster girls for tennis apparel. She became popular and appreciated for her modeling shoots, which have been perceived as quite sexy and beautiful. Just how popular did she become? Get this: Her name was one of the most-searched strings of text on Google a while back.
Tennis apparel, in its various forms and incarnations, has tremendous marketing potential. So long as you can find the right type of gear for the right kind of player, it’s a winning combination.
History of Tennis Apparel: The Fashion Trend
The kind of tennis apparel we know today is far from the formal attire worn by players during the early Wimbledon days. For over 100 years, social changes have shaped the trends in tennis clothes. Through the years, people have become more daring in the way they dress—so have sports outfits such as tennis clothing items. It’s interesting to trace the roots of tennis clothes and how they evolved over the past years.
Men’s Apparel
The earliest tennis clothes for men were made up of cardigans or sweater vests, shirts, and long flannel pants. In the 1930s, male tennis players changed their tennis outfits by tossing out flannel pants in favor of shorts. British tennis player Henry “Bunny” Austin holds the distinction of being the first top tennis player to wear white shorts in a tennis match. Since then, the standard fashion in terms of men’s apparel included white shorts and pants. However, they were replaced by brightly colored lycra shorts. Some tennis players opted for blue denim shorts or loose shorts instead of the longer lycra shorts.
Fast forward to 2005—the time when men’s tennis clothes started to keep pace with the boldness of modern tennis attire for women. In several tennis competitions, one can see male players sport Capri pants and tight-fitting lycra tops that reveal their muscular chests and abs. Modern tennis clothes for men also saw changes in terms of color. Quite a good number of men’s apparel come in feminine colors such as hot pink.
Women’s Apparel
The history of tennis clothes for women is quite similar to that of men. Women started to join tennis games in the 1860s. During that time, female tennis players wore modest clothing made of heavy materials such as serge or flannel. Tennis attire for women in the early days of tennis include corsets with high-collared blouses and neckties, long bustle skirts (sometimes with fur), and skimmer hats.
However, the fashion trend changed when Maud Watson won the Wimbledon Ladies' Lawn Tennis Championship in 1884. Watson, the first woman Wimbledon champion, wore a white, long, bustled two-piece dress at that competition, popularizing the white tennis attire. Women realized that white was the best color for tennis clothes because it didn’t reveal as much sweat stains as other colors. This started the so-called tennis whites that have dominated the tennis scene for many years.
Bustles, corsets, and hats ceased to be common fashion items in tennis between 1903 and 1914. After the First World War, it was French tennis star Suzanne Lenglen who set the tennis fashion trend. Lenglen wore a daring calf-length, short-sleeved cotton attire with white stockings under her skirt. The French tennis icon experimented with her sports apparel by wearing colorful silk chiffon, a headband, and shiny white stockings. Her ‘revolutionary’ tennis attire caused a stir on the tennis court as spectators were used to the modest, and toned down attire of female tennis players.
In the 1920s, renowned American tennis player Helen Wills Moody become a trendsetter in female tennis attire because of her school-type sleeveless white blouse and pleated skirt with a fashionable eyeshades. She also added a lambswool cardigan on her apparel on cold days.
The post-World War II period saw women tennis players wearing apparel that made playing tennis easier and more comfortable. The apparel consisted of short-sleeved shirts, shorts or skirts, and caps.
In 1949, Gertrude Moran shocked tennis enthusiasts when she wore lace-trimmed panties beneath her white tennis dress. This started the bold fashion trend of tennis apparel that continues up to this day.
Men’s Apparel
The earliest tennis clothes for men were made up of cardigans or sweater vests, shirts, and long flannel pants. In the 1930s, male tennis players changed their tennis outfits by tossing out flannel pants in favor of shorts. British tennis player Henry “Bunny” Austin holds the distinction of being the first top tennis player to wear white shorts in a tennis match. Since then, the standard fashion in terms of men’s apparel included white shorts and pants. However, they were replaced by brightly colored lycra shorts. Some tennis players opted for blue denim shorts or loose shorts instead of the longer lycra shorts.
Fast forward to 2005—the time when men’s tennis clothes started to keep pace with the boldness of modern tennis attire for women. In several tennis competitions, one can see male players sport Capri pants and tight-fitting lycra tops that reveal their muscular chests and abs. Modern tennis clothes for men also saw changes in terms of color. Quite a good number of men’s apparel come in feminine colors such as hot pink.
Women’s Apparel
The history of tennis clothes for women is quite similar to that of men. Women started to join tennis games in the 1860s. During that time, female tennis players wore modest clothing made of heavy materials such as serge or flannel. Tennis attire for women in the early days of tennis include corsets with high-collared blouses and neckties, long bustle skirts (sometimes with fur), and skimmer hats.
However, the fashion trend changed when Maud Watson won the Wimbledon Ladies' Lawn Tennis Championship in 1884. Watson, the first woman Wimbledon champion, wore a white, long, bustled two-piece dress at that competition, popularizing the white tennis attire. Women realized that white was the best color for tennis clothes because it didn’t reveal as much sweat stains as other colors. This started the so-called tennis whites that have dominated the tennis scene for many years.
Bustles, corsets, and hats ceased to be common fashion items in tennis between 1903 and 1914. After the First World War, it was French tennis star Suzanne Lenglen who set the tennis fashion trend. Lenglen wore a daring calf-length, short-sleeved cotton attire with white stockings under her skirt. The French tennis icon experimented with her sports apparel by wearing colorful silk chiffon, a headband, and shiny white stockings. Her ‘revolutionary’ tennis attire caused a stir on the tennis court as spectators were used to the modest, and toned down attire of female tennis players.
In the 1920s, renowned American tennis player Helen Wills Moody become a trendsetter in female tennis attire because of her school-type sleeveless white blouse and pleated skirt with a fashionable eyeshades. She also added a lambswool cardigan on her apparel on cold days.
The post-World War II period saw women tennis players wearing apparel that made playing tennis easier and more comfortable. The apparel consisted of short-sleeved shirts, shorts or skirts, and caps.
In 1949, Gertrude Moran shocked tennis enthusiasts when she wore lace-trimmed panties beneath her white tennis dress. This started the bold fashion trend of tennis apparel that continues up to this day.
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