Ace it: The best tennis clothing brands
With technical fabrics and practical design, sport these stylish brands on and off the court
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
If you’ve ever tuned into Wimbledon, you’ll know that style is as much a part of tennis as having an impressive backhand. With summer (hopefully) fast approaching, bringing along with it the return of tennis season, our annual obsession with all things tenniscore is also on the rise. This year, it has also been amped by the release of Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, which has seen lead actress Zendaya sporting a chic array of tennis-themed outfits throughout the press tour. Inspired by her custom Loewe tennis ball heels and vintage Ralph Lauren looks? For those of us not walking red carpets, there are a host of tennis clothing brands serving great outfits for both on and off the court.
From pleated skirts and flirty visors to preppy polos, kitting yourself out in the best is important when it comes to tenniscore. The key to a good look on the court is finding comfortable designs that let you move freely and breathable fabrics that keep you cool even as the match heats up. And, for that aprés tennis look, feel free to go beyond pastels and whites with prints and bold colours to add a cool edge.
So, whether you’re booking a session at one of London’s tennis clubs or just taking your athletic apparel off to brunch, read on for our favourite luxury tennis clothing brands – and the must-buys from each collection.
Exeat
British tennis atelier Exeat is a relatively new entrant on the market, having been founded in 2021. The brand primarily focuses on tennis dresses and skirts crafted in sustainable fabrics made from recycled ocean plastics and textile waste. Dresses are tailored for a sculpted fit with razor sharp pleats that move fluidly as you play. Everything is made in the company’s family-run factory in North London in a bid to support domestic manufacturing.
This season, Exeat looks to a pivotal moment in tennis history: the 1900 Paris Games, which saw women compete in Olympic tennis for the first time. The new collection also looks to Marie Antoinette’s tennis courts in Versailles for a polished capsule that includes a tennis dress emblazoned with English roses, tennis racquets and strawberries, a classic white dress with a Peter Pan collar perfect for the club, and a chic tracksuit that’ll be a great addition to your WFH wardrobe.
Brunello Cucinelli
Given that Brunello Cucinelli made its name on cashmere knitwear and tailored classics, it’s probably not the first brand that springs to mind for sportswear. But a look through its sport coat, polo shirt, and sweater vest archives makes a strong case for what the designer calls ‘sportivo chic’. In fact, the brand’s focus on quality fabrics, including cotton yarn and lightweight jersey, lends itself perfectly to tennis wear.
For SS24, Brunello Cucinelli has created a Tennis Sets capsule collection that brings a sophisticated finish to easy sportswear. A collection of dresses, sweater vests, polo shirts, skirts, shorts, and trousers is rendered in neutral tones and embellished with graphic logos, badges, and contrasting details. The collection also boasts chic tennis tote bags complete with a racquet holder for a top-to-toe look.
Alo
LA-based Alo might have started as a yoga brand in 2007 but it has since grown to offer a range of sportswear, including a special tennis capsule. Alo’s mindful design marries practicality with trend-forward silhouettes, and its tennis wear pieces include sweater dresses, pleated skirts, cropped jumpers, ribbed shorts, and sweat-wicking visors. Just like the brand’s yoga wear, the tennis capsule lends itself well to being styled on the court as well as on the street.
Alo’s cult-favourite courtside tennis dress is rendered in a cool lilac this season. Switch up the classic pleated skirt silhouette with a cream knit option paired with a matching bra and cropped cardigan.
Varley
Varley is run between London and Los Angeles with each city’s distinct aesthetic informing the brand’s design language. Its sleek, minimal silhouettes offer an elevated take on sportswear. The Club collection, made for tenniscore fans, features easy-to-wear pieces that include knitted dresses, tank tops, half-zip sweatshirts, shorts, and skorts all perfect for mixing and matching.
Wear the polo-style tank tops for a match, with cargo trousers for a weekend in the city or put your flounciest foot forward in a retro-inspired stretch-jersey tennis dress complete with a hidden pocket for essentials.
Lacoste
Founded by tennis player René Lacoste, Lacoste counts tennis champions including Venus Williams, Novak Djokovic, and Grigor Dimitrov among its ambassadors – so you can trust that it knows a thing or two about tennis clothing. Offering a mix of preppy classics and polished tailoring, it aces tennis wear for both men and women.
Staying cool on the court comes easy with the ultra-dry polo shirt made with recycled fabrics. For a subtle update on the pleated tennis skirt, consider this limited edition version adorned with the Roland Garros logo in addition to the green Lacoste crocodile.
L'Etoile Sport
Founded by avid tennis player and former pro-basketball player Yesim Philip, L’Etoile Sport makes chic, high-performance tennis wear. Crafted with breathable technical fabrics featuring moisture-wicking elements, L’Etoile Sport’s pieces are all cut for flattering fits and designed to be timeless. Inspired by vintage styles, the activewear brand works lace and broderie anglaise trims into its pieces, counts Nicole Kidman and Kate Upton among its fans and was also featured in Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That.
Pair an airy lace tank top with matching lace A-line skort for a breezy, feminine look.
Tory Sport
The activewear offshoot of Tory Burch, Tory Sport was launched in 2015 and boasts a tennis collection that brings an elevated polish to functional pieces. Designs are inspired by the classic silhouettes worn by athletes like Billie Jean King and crafted in comfortable moisture-wicking and antimicrobial fabrics.
Bring a touch of the ‘70s to the court in a V-neck tennis dress detailed with contrasting striped trims. You can also nab a tote bag with a racquet holder, but be warned, they sell out quick.
Splits59
Another LA-based brand, Splits59 crafts activewear that can go from court-to-club with ease. Form-fitting bike shirts, flared leggings and basic skorts pair with high-performance sports bras and tank tops to kit you out in designs that’ll look good in the gym or on the tennis court. The light fabrics also help keep you sweat-free in the summer. Opt out of the short skirt and tank top combo on windy days with wide leg trousers and a cropped cardigan.
The Upside
Founded by Australian model Jodhi Meares, The Upside is rooted in functional clothing. Its tennis collection features easy-to-style tank dresses with flattering silhouettes, fitted catsuits, cropped polos, and camp-collar shirts perfect for lounging in.
Push the all-white dress code with a splash of tennis green with a racerback zipped dress or go classic with an organic cotton pique pleated skirt featuring a navy striped waistband.
Casablanca
Infusing bright colours and nostalgic motifs into sportswear, Casablanca’s tennis club-ready designs are a great addition to your wardrobe (whether you play tennis or not). While some of the pieces, particularly the silk shirts and pleated skirts, might not be made for the courts, they’ll work well in the spectator stands or on a day out in the capital. Emblazoned with a multicoloured tennis club icon, the collection could very well be merch from a posh tennis club only Casablanca shoppers are privy to.
