Tenniscore: the sneaker is the shoe that makes “match point”
The red thread that weaves the plots between tennis and clothing tightens again, bringing to mind the tender nostalgia of an epic past. All this is the maximum expression of the “circularity” of fashions, which “make immense turns and then return” to quote Venditti. If you too are wondering why this way of dressing has come back into fashion, you can discover the answer in this article , along with many ideas for “reproducing it at home”. Ready to begin this journey?
From practicality to essence: the propagation of a myth by “dripping”
Those who know the true meaning of fashion know that it has a deeper and less banal social value than one might think. The identity universe it brings with it goes far beyond the simple idea of "covering one's body" . Through the "superficiality" of the clothing object, individuals demonstrate their belonging to a certain group, to a community, and feel an integral part of it , to the point of expressing themselves through specific features every time they are called upon to show themselves to the world.
Tennis, like fashion, has the same interpretative key . It is a niche sport, often associated with passions possessed and practiced by the wealthier classes . For this reason, the tenniscore trend has nothing to do with athleticism: it focuses entirely on a certain lifestyle “for the few” that smacks of immaculate clothes, servility (have you ever noticed that tennis players have assistants ready to pick up their balls as soon as they hit the ground?) and exclusive clubs where you can sip drinks accompanied by fruit arrangements at the end of a workout.
Photo by Shep McAllister
To understand how the relationship between tennis and fashion was born, we need to unlock a little flashback: it was 1920 and during the prestigious Wimbledon tournament (the most renowned of the Grand Slam) the French tennis player Suzanne Lenglen showed up on the grass with a skirt above the knee . Her outfit was designed by the Maison Jean Patou and immediately attracted the attention of journalists, as well as that of those working in the clothing industry. It is no coincidence, in fact, that tennis champions such as Fred Perry, René Lacoste and Stan Smith some time later "lent" their image and their name, giving life to solid brands that we are still used to wearing today.
Another key episode in this story was the famous tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs , a match nicknamed “The Battle of the Sexes,” where Billie arrived on the court showing off all her femininity through a white minidress and eye-catching hoop earrings. Staying on the subject of jewelry, here’s a tidbit: did you know how the term “tennis bracelet” came about? It happened when Chris Evert broke the glittering diamond band she was wearing during a match at the US Open in 1987. Needless to say, the game was interrupted shortly afterward because Chris began trying to retrieve the pavé stones, giving the fashion pages a very high tenniscore moment.
Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs
The outfits of sports legends such as Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe also went down in history, influencing the fashion of the time with their elegance and class. The fluorescent looks of Steffi Graff and Andre Agassi followed in the 90s, up to the red band that stood out on Serena Williams' black tracksuit at the 2018 French Open. In short, since that distant 1920, tennis and fashion have established a solid union and have never stopped "talking" to each other.
If we want to be more technical, to discover how "common people" began to "pose" as players on the streets of the metropolis, the sociologist Simmel can come to our aid. In effect, a 'trickle down' occurred, that is, a dripping of fashions from the upper classes (who have distinctive objects with which to show distance) to the lower classes , who adopted their outfits and manners to signal a similarity or an aspiration to be part of that group.
Why is tenniscore trending again today?
Tenniscore, as we have seen, draws inspiration from the iconic uniforms of tennis players, with their clean garments, bright colors and refined silhouettes. To understand how it has come back into fashion, we only need to look at current events and the renewed general interest in this sport by the public. As a result, the rising stars of the sector have become true style icons , so much so that they are called to act as ambassadors or influencers by top stylists.
Photo by Moises Alex
The signs of this “possible phenomenon” were already beginning to appear in 2019 when the old Gucci Tennis logo was re-adapted , whose pictogram featured two crossed rackets. That symbol, embroidered on sweatshirts and knitwear, was re-proposed on garments and accessories, as demonstrated by the custom Gucci bag worn by Sinner on several occasions. Subsequently, Emma Raducanu lent herself to being Dior’s muse and Carlos Alcaraz, winner of the 2023 men’s tournament at Wimbledon, was popular in Louis Vuitton advertisements. Other brands that have reworked this framing were Brunello Cucinelli (Spring/Summer 2024 “Tennis Capsule” collection), Miu Miu (with its “Miu Miu Tennis Club”, Fall/Winter 2022-23 collection) or Celine with its super-branded rackets.
The apotheosis came, then, during the Rome premiere in April 2024 of Luca Guadagnino's film Challengers . All eyes were on Zendaya , or rather, on her feet. Stylist Law Roach thought, in fact, to present her to the crowd in a pair of white pumps with a tennis ball stuck in the heel that went viral in no time on Instagram. The custom creation was made by the Spanish brand Loewe, as was the tennis minidress chosen by the actress: an unparalleled ode to that sporty but glossy world.
Photo by Cottonbro studio (left) and Artem Mihailov (right)
In a sort of “modern stardom”, tenniscore is now conquering social media in the form of hashtags, encompassing anyone who wants to combine sportswear with luxury fashion, creating a look that is both distinctive and casual at the same time.
How to dress in tenniscore style
If we wanted to find some similarities, we could say that tenniscore takes inspiration from preppy and college style . However, it has a more glam-centric imprint that has as its main purpose to suggest an old-money aesthetic . It therefore recalls a not too veiled sense of economic well-being and affluence. What appears clear in recent years, however, is that the phenomenon is undergoing a rapid democratization aimed at testifying to a profound cultural change. Aspiring to communicate a sophisticated lifestyle has become a common desire and we can enjoy the game of appearing powerful through clothing.
The main characteristics of tennis score are based on 3 principles:
- Athleisure: through a clever and clever combination it is possible to match relaxed garments taken from sportswear with other more structured ones. The important thing is to combine quality textures such as linen, pure cotton, silk with essential accessories that are a hymn to delicate and gentle elegance, renouncing design intended as mere exhibitionism;
- Candid nuances: among the distinctive features of this trend we find the wise use of colors and aesthetic minimalism. The choice falls on outfits that have a predominance of neutral tones such as white, gray, canary yellow and the entire pastel palette in general to be combined with touches of fluorescent color only hinted at;
- Formal balance: this is the key point, since the true essence of tenniscore combines functionality with grace that is never ostentatious . Mix and match , therefore, must never appear hasty or too flashy. You have to look for a precise and punctual balance , without falling into kitsch pomp .
What are the key pieces that cannot be missed?
Now let's get to the must-have pieces to enter the circle of the elect who show off this style with nonchalance .
The garments par excellence are those that we can easily “steal” from our idols on the field. For women, the best choice is the tight minidress with flared bottom or pleated miniskirts, flowing and light. For men, we see Bermuda shorts and chinos prevailing , perhaps with a side pocket and tailored stitching. There is no shortage of zip-up tracksuits in technical fabric , for that touch of “sports credibility” that we can dedicate to free time.
For knitwear, the polo shirt, mostly in piqué fabric or the cable-knit sweater , which immediately evokes a certain status symbol , remains the absolute protagonist . Sweatshirts are also allowed, as long as they have essential lines, strictly in a solid color and without prints. What will make the difference, however, will be the selection of possible accessories that include baseball caps or visors , wristbands and ankle-high terry socks and gym bags, possibly designer. The outfits are completed by classic tennis bracelets or small jewels, to be combined with grace.
As for footwear, we have only one possible choice: the sneaker is the shoe that immediately screams tenniscore and leaves no doubt. The ideal is to opt for very basic no-platform models, to be personalized with small touches of color.
Tenniscore: For a “winning serve” choose T-switch
Although tenniscore is becoming a real subculture accessible to all, there is a golden rule to be respected, namely the refinement of materials and attention to detail. With T-Switch sneakers you can reinterpret this classic style in a contemporary way, choosing a high-quality shoe with an innovative design.
T-Switch sneakers are perfect because they start from a white and linear shoe (ideal for showing off that minimalism we were referring to before) but at the same time they offer a certain possibility of customization to make the difference. With our T-Kits (with interchangeable straps and tongues) you can "switch" the shoe whenever you want and match it with every outfit , without the need to accumulate different models in your shoe rack. With T-Switch on your feet you will have a sophisticated look that winks at the past, but projected towards the future. In short, you will have "the point" assured!
Tips for an enviable tenniscore outfit
After examining the features we can finally try to create outfits that allow us to fully enhance ourselves and T-Switch is the brand that perfectly embodies the purest philosophy of tenniscore. Here are some outfit suggestions for men and women for various occasions.
- For her: flared miniskirt with blue and red elastic band and stripes on the bottom in the same colors, Miu Miu style. Ribbed sleeveless with built-in collar and strictly white terry socks , to be worn high at the ankle. Followed by a shoulder bag in technical fabric or a bum bag to carry on the shoulder. The look is completed by a precious point of light for the earrings and a mini watch in steel case. For shoes we recommend the T-Switch sneaker with tongue and strap in the Blue, Red or White versions for a timeless tone-on-tone that is truly classy .
- For him: A pair of beige chinos , a cream yarn polo with neon details on the forearm. Add a baseball cap , a watch with a retro dial and brown leather strap to coordinate with the backpack in the same material . Give an aura of mystery with a pair of brown teardrop sunglasses. On your feet, wear the T-Switch sneaker with Beige or Yellow details.
- For her: Japanese cotton minidress with black and white A-line skirt , a black college-style blazer and a handbag in the same color. Choose small silver jewels or a pearl necklace to stand out with taste and cat-eye sunglasses. If you want to opt for a stylish detail that does not go unnoticed, tie your hair with a pure silk scarf. On your feet wear the T-Switch with Black t-kit or add a touch of color with the T-Switch Fuchsia.
- For him: Keep it simple with a suit consisting of midnight blue tailored trousers and a tailored jacket. Pair with a clean, essential white polo. Impress with a silk pocket square to show off with pride and wear a classic watch. Pair it all with a gym bag in aged leather to give you the look of someone who has just finished a grueling workout session. Wear the all-white T-Switch or take advantage of theT-Kit Blue .
- For her: V-neck minidress and pleated skirt in grey lurex fabric, similar to the one worn by Zendaya on the promotional tour of the film. Black clutch with silver details and small diamond necklace , which matches the tennis shoes on the wrist. Complete with the T-Switch Black or the Metal Silver , to sparkle among the passers-by.
- For him: Start with a pair of black straight-leg pants , continue with a custom-made shirt with embroidered initials on the chest. Place a white cable-knit sweater over your shoulders and tie it around your neck. Add a tennis bracelet with black jewels and complete the look with our Black Switch T-shirts to exude style with every step.
As we have seen, tenniscore is one of those trends that follow the “less is more” trend . You can easily get your hands on it starting from basic pieces and it is perfect for those who love a casual but refined look. With the high-quality T-Switch sneakers , then, you can elevate each of your outfits and switch colors depending on the intended use. They will be your perfect travel companion to recreate this style in a unique and personal way. What are you waiting for to join our revolution?
Article by Alessia Capo