Between the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris and the wave Tenniscore looks fuelled by Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, we’re seeing the return of sporty athleisure fashion inspired by tennis.
According to Challengers, though, the updated take on sporty fashion calls for polished and refined pieces that can perform double duty on and off-court. While Zendaya’s Tashi Donaldson was sitting courtside for much of the film in a blue shirt dress, her on-court looks—the white tennis dress and matching shoes, in particular—gave us serious outfit envy.
But earlier tennis films reflect the same chic sensibilities associated with the sport as well. In Wimbledon, for one, Kirsten Dunst plays rising tennis star Lizzie Bradbury, who wears a matching tennis skirt and a tank top set from Puma, paired with a watch. In Battle of the Sexes, Emma Stone’s Billie Jean King aced the game in colourful tennis dresses.
And though Clueless stars a number of highly coveted looks—think: the plaid sets and a red dress from Alaïa—a look that flies under fans’s radars is the matching black-and-white outfits Cher and Dionne wore during their tennis lesson.
Below, our favourite tennis fashion moments from films so far.
Challengers
Tennis prodigy Tashi Donaldson’s style is quiet luxury meets athleisure. Cue: tennis whites and slicked back hair, red and white separates and a powder blue calf-length shirt dress paired with espadrilles from Chanel.
Clueless
In Clueless, Cher wore a black cropped tank over a white T-shirt and accessorised with a gold phone holder, while Dionne opted for a black and white top and a white printed bandana. These looks were minimal compared to the dynamic matching sets they sported for most of the film.
Wimbledon
Like Tashi, tennis whites are also the on-court look of choice for Kirsten Dunst’s Lizzie Bradbury in Wimbledon. She paired matching separates from Puma with a white double tour watch.
Battle of the Sexes
While other looks on this list feature looks that are more minimal in colour, Battle of the Sexes put a colourful, ’70s spin on the style. Emma Stone, who played protagonist Billie Jean King, also sported King’s emblematic oversized gold glasses.
READ MORE
Serving Looks: Zendaya’s Epic ‘Challengers’ Press Tour Fashion Proves She’s Game For Anything
Spectator Style: The Best Celebrity Fashion Moments From Wimbledon 2024
Kate Middleton Returns To Wimbledon In A Custom Royal Purple Safiyaa Gown