With Wimbledon serving up another fortnight of grass-court glamour from 29 June, Tenniscore chic is, once again, all over every London It-girl’s feed. This stylish subculture mixes athletic elegance with preppy polish, and as a result, it manages to borrow from the sport’s heritage while still feeling completely current. The aesthetic delivers a clean, elevated look that works just as well on Church Road as it does on Carnaby Street.
So, what exactly is Tenniscore chic? How do you wear it right now? And why are luxury houses and high street brands alike still serving it up, four years after it first went viral? Whether you’re a die-hard fan or you simply love a crisp white polo, here’s everything you need to know — plus, of course, exactly where to shop it before the Championships kick off.
What Is Tenniscore?
Tenniscore is a fashion aesthetic inspired by traditional tennis attire: pleated skirts, cable-knit jumpers, polo shirts, and crisp whites, blended with modern silhouettes and a streetwear edge. In other words, it draws on the classic country club look, but with a contemporary twist that feels effortless rather than costume-y.
The word itself is a portmanteau of “tennis” and the aesthetic suffix “-core” (think cottagecore, normcore, and balletcore). What really sets Tenniscore apart, however, is its clean, tailored appeal — all-white outfits, structured lines, and functional fabrics, paired with a sense of laid-back luxury.
The Rise of Tenniscore Chic
Tennis has always had a stylish side. From Suzanne Lenglen’s revolutionary short skirts in the 1920s, to Serena Williams’ bold Nike catsuits, to Roger Federer’s elegant on-court tailoring, the sport has long blurred the line between fashion and function.
That said, Tenniscore chic only properly broke into the mainstream in the early 2020s, fuelled by a wave of Y2K nostalgia, the rise of athleisure, and a renewed appetite for quiet, preppy minimalism. Then, almost overnight, it got a fresh jolt of cultural relevance when Zendaya’s Challengers press tour turned tennis whites into a full-blown moment. Naturally, fashion houses like Lacoste, Miu Miu, and Dior leaned further into the aesthetic soon after, while sportswear labels, meanwhile, kept dropping capsule collections of visors, skorts, and varsity knits.
On social media, in particular, stylists keep finding new ways to wear pleated skirts, track jackets, and sporty co-ords with off-duty ease, often pairing them with loafers, crew socks, or chunky trainers for an urban twist.
Why Tenniscore Still Works in 2026
Ultimately, the trend hasn’t faded because it taps into several pillars that still resonate:
- Quiet Luxury — Because “old money” dressing is still very much in play, Tenniscore offers wearable refinement: minimalist without being boring, and luxurious without being loud.
- Functional Fashion — Breathable fabrics, stretch materials, and performance-ready cuts mean these pieces are genuinely useful, not just decorative.
- Transitional Style — A tennis-inspired mini dress, for example, goes from brunch to errands to a casual office day with the right accessories.
- Gender Neutrality — Oversized polos, vests, and skorts are increasingly styled across gender expressions, rather than boxed into womenswear alone.
Key Pieces in the Tenniscore Wardrobe
If you’re building out a Tenniscore wardrobe, here, then, are the staples worth owning.
1. Pleated Tennis Skirts
This is the hero piece, first and foremost. Go white or pastel for the classic look, or, alternatively, colour-block for something bolder. Style with a crop top or, for a softer finish, an oversized sweatshirt.
SHOP NOW: PLEATED TENNIS SKIRT BY ON, £85 →
2. Polo Shirts
Classic and, above all, endlessly versatile. Choose a fitted silhouette for a tailored look, or go oversized for off-duty streetwear. Ralph Lauren, Sporty & Rich, and Uniqlo remain the go-tos.
SHOP NOW: COURTSIDE POLO BY ON, £100 →
3. Cable-Knit Jumpers
A vintage-tennis nod, essentially. Drape it over the shoulders for full Wimbledon energy, or, for a more modern take, wear it with shorts and loafers.
SHOP NOW: CABLE KNIT JUMPER BY ALAN PAINE, £129 →
4. Tennis Dresses
Sporty and flattering, and yet far more wearable off-court than you’d think. Great for summer, or, alternatively, layered with a jacket and trainers.
SHOP NOW: COURT DRESS SPILT BY ON, £130 →
5. Visors and Headbands
This is the accessory that really sells the look. Retro visors, thick sweatbands, and tennis socks, in particular, add instant authenticity.
SHOP NOW: ADIDAS ORIGINALS CLIMACOOL VISOR, £18 →
6. Tennis Trainers
Crisp white sneakers do the job nicely — think Adidas Stan Smiths, Nike Court Legacy, or, for something a little different, Veja Esplar.
SHOP NOW: ADIDAS STAN SMITH, £90 →
How to Style Tenniscore Chic
For Everyday
Pair a white pleated skirt with a pastel polo and white trainers. Then, to finish, add a shoulder bag and some layered gold jewellery.
For Workwear
Swap your usual blouse for a structured polo, tucked into high-waisted trousers. Loafers or ballet flats, finally, finish the look off.
For Wimbledon (or Watching From the Sofa)
Layer a tennis dress with a colourful windbreaker or varsity jacket. Sporty sunglasses and chunky trainers, meanwhile, keep things playful.
For Date Night
Choose a body-skimming tennis dress with a deep V-neck, then layer it with a cropped cardigan. Kitten heels and a sleek clutch take it, ultimately, from court to cocktails.
Brands Leading the Tenniscore Trend
Several brands, in particular, have leaned hard into the Tenniscore movement:
- Miu Miu — Its low-rise tennis skirts and sporty knits helped ignite the wider revival, and the house, accordingly, keeps returning to the silhouette.
- Lacoste — A pioneer of tennis fashion since 1933, and still, even now, merging athleticwear with high fashion.
- Adanola — Minimalist athleisure that’s perfect, above all, for the off-duty Tenniscore look.
- Sporty & Rich — The reference point, arguably, for luxe, preppy, retro-inspired activewear.
- Racquet Society — A newer name worth watching: a vintage-tennis lifestyle label built around archive Sergio Tacchini polos and old-school club style.
Is Tenniscore Sustainable?
As with any trend, sustainability matters. The good news, however, is that Tenniscore leans on timeless silhouettes and high-quality basics, which lends itself well to conscious buying. So, ideally, invest in pieces you’ll wear beyond one season.
What’s more, more brands now offer eco-conscious options too — organic cotton polos, recycled polyester skirts, and low-impact trainers, to name just a few.
Pro tip: second-hand and vintage are your friends here. A vintage Ralph Lauren jumper or an archive Sergio Tacchini polo isn’t just more sustainable — it also adds real authenticity to the look.
Final Serve: Why Tenniscore Is Here to Stay
In a sea of fleeting micro-trends, Tenniscore chic has genuine staying power. It’s clean, confident, and classic, with just enough edge to stay current. So, whether you’re heading to brunch, the office, or queuing for Centre Court tickets this fortnight, Tenniscore offers a refined, wearable uniform that celebrates movement, style, and a bit of nostalgia.
As comfort-driven, versatile fashion keeps winning out over fast-fashion churn, expect Tenniscore, ultimately, to keep evolving — folding seamlessly into everyday wardrobes well beyond Wimbledon season.
Game. Set. Match.
