Athleisure has a preppy new look: tenniscore

Vogue calls it “a new era of luxury athleisure.” Cosmopolitan? A trend “on the ascent.” Glamour says it’s the latest offshoot of the “quiet luxury” aesthetic leading 2024 fashions on the big screen and social media alike. Plus, the pickleball craze has given athleisure lovers extra opportunities to wear their favorite sporty attire. Whichever racket sport you prefer, it’s safe to say the look has traveled beyond center court – and St. Louis stylist Laura Sawyier has tips for serving up the polished, preppy look.

Taking a swing at tenniscore doesn’t literally mean donning head-to-toe tennis clothes, says Sawyier, founder of St. Louis-based LKS Styling & Consulting. “It’s more about off-court attire … classic and simplistic, preppy, [sporty looks],” she says.

Sawyier, who offers wardrobe and confidence consulting, explains that the trend is a nod to understated luxury, taking root in tennis culture and marked by a tailored, preppy style. Think cableknit sweaters, collared shirts, pleated skirts, sporty dresses and retro sneakers – all in muted tones of white, cream and tan, contrasting black or navy, or monochromatic looks. The style’s palette also can include pastels, or even the occasional pop of hot pink or tennis-ball shades of fluorescent yellow or neon green.

Tenniscore is thriving on the heels of recent pop culture-fueled trends – notably, screen celeb Zendaya appearing as a tennis star-turned-coach in the sporty drama, “Challengers,” Sawyier says. During the flick’s press tour, the starlet donned a slew of off-courtworthy tenniscore fits styled by American fashion stylist Law Roach and designed by labels including Loewe, Thom Browne and Ralph Lauren.

When putting your spin on tenniscore, Sawyier cautions against fully court-ready ’fits. “It’s more of a cheeky nod to spending time off-court,” she notes, recommending style elements such as chunky cableknit or varsity sweaters; crisp, classic Oxford buttondown shirts; simple striping accents; contrasting colors; Stan Smith or New Balance retro sneakers; and just a wink of racquet or tennis ball symbols in a chic, but fun charm bracelet or pair of earrings.

As far as where to sport the style, Sawyier emphasizes there’s always a time and place for it. “Styling is about being sure that you know how to read the room when you’re considering how to dress,” she explains. “If the tenniscore trend fits into what your style and aesthetic already is, then you can certainly wear it around town.”

Vacation is also a great time to try your hand at the trend, the stylist says: “If you’re traveling to warm places and there’s more of a dressy daytime environment, then definitely lean into it.”

Around St. Louis, Sawyier says you’ll find tenniscore-style athleisure apparel at local lifestyle shops including Lusso and Blush Boutique. You can discover secondhand treasures in the trend at high-end resale stores such as The Vault Luxury Resale and Byrd Designer Consignment. Accessorize your look with a hint of tennis-themed jewelry from Hearth & Soul, she adds.

“With any kind of trend dressing, I always say consider budget,” Sawyier notes. Though she says tenniscore is a “pretty classic style,” she advises: “Pause for a moment and really think about if it is something you will really wear more than a few times in the future.”

Laura Sawyier, LKS Styling & Consulting, lauraksawyier.com

Top photo courtesy of The Normal Brand