Origins

#Tenniscore emerged on TikTok in spring 2021, romanticizing preppy tennis club aesthetics: pleated skirts, polo shirts, visors, and white sneakers. The trend gained momentum after Challengers (2024 film, but anticipation built 2021-2023) and nostalgia for early 2000s country club fashion.

The aesthetic celebrates:

• Preppy sportswear (Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Fred Perry)
• Clean, crisp whites and pastels
• Athletic femininity (function meets fashion)
• Old money leisure class signaling

Key Pieces

Clothing:

• Pleated tennis skirts (white, navy, pastel pink)
• Polo shirts (collared, short-sleeve)
• Sweater vests over polos
• Cable-knit cardigans
• White sneakers (Adidas Stan Smith, Nike Court)
• Visors, headbands, wristbands

Brands:

• Luxury: Tory Burch, Ralph Lauren, Lacoste
• Athletic: Nike, Adidas, Alo Yoga, Outdoor Voices
• Fast fashion: Princess Polly, Urban Outfitters, Amazon dupes

Cultural Context

Tenniscore coincided with:

• Pandemic outdoor activities: Tennis saw 22% participation increase (2020-2021)
• Preppy revival: Dark Academia, Coastal Grandmother, Old Money aesthetics
• Athleisure evolution: Sporty-chic replacing loungewear
• Zendaya’s Challengers: Film anticipation fueled tenniscore (shot 2022, released 2024)

Celebrity Influence

• Zendaya: Challengers press tour (2024) — method dressing in tennis-inspired looks
• Emma Raducanu: 2021 US Open winner, British-Chinese tennis fashion icon
• Naomi Osaka: Tennis + fashion crossover, Louis Vuitton ambassador
• Princess Diana: 1980s-90s tennis fashion nostalgia

TikTok Virality

2021-2023: Peak hashtag growth

• Outfit styling videos (“tennis skirt 5 ways”)
• “Get ready with me” for tennis/country club
• Amazon tennis skirt hauls
• “Old money summer” aesthetic overlap

Styling Variations

Preppy Tenniscore:

• Pleated skirt + polo + visor
• Pastel colors, argyle patterns
• Cable-knit sweaters, pearls

Sporty Tenniscore:

• Athletic skirts + sports bras
• Performance fabrics, athleisure brands
• Functional for actual tennis

Streetwear Tenniscore:

• Tennis skirt + graphic tee + sneakers
• Urban edge, less country club
• Accessible, everyday wear

Economic Impact

Retail sales:

• Pleated tennis skirts: 400% search increase (Google Trends, Summer 2021)
• Ralph Lauren Polo shirts: Resurgence after years of decline
• Adidas Stan Smith: Sold out repeatedly (classic white sneaker staple)

Amazon:

• “Tennis skirt” top search (Fashion category, 2021-2022)
• Dupes from $15-$30 flooded marketplace

Criticisms

• Class appropriation: Country club aesthetics without access/membership
• Performative athleticism: Wearing tennis clothes without playing tennis
• Fast fashion: Cheap dupes vs authentic athletic/luxury pieces
• Exclusivity: Old money aesthetics gatekept by wealth

Related Aesthetics

• Prep/Preppy (1980s revival): Ivy League, country club, WASP culture
• Old Money (2021): Generational wealth, understated luxury
• Gorpcore (2019): Outdoor athletic wear (hiking vs tennis)
• Balletcore (2022): Athletic femininity (ballet vs tennis)

Sources

• Google Trends: “Tennis skirt” search data (2021-2023)
• Vogue - “Tenniscore Is Summer’s Biggest Fashion Trend” (June 2021)
• The Cut - “Why Is Everyone Dressing Like They’re Going to a Tennis Match?” (July 2021)