Love all: tennis styles that look good on the court and off it
Dress, €180, Adidas x Stella McCartney
But beyond the sleek campaigns and big-name brand endorsements, interest in racquet sports is rising year on year. Tennis's accessibility both on TV and online has no doubt played a huge part. This summer, Wimbledon's TikTok channel provided behind-the-scenes access, celebrity crowd sightings and interviews with the players throughout the tournament to its 3.1 million followers.
There's also the knock-on effect from the pandemic. With restrictions in place, many people turned to outdoor exercise, leading to a surge in tennis, which continues to this day. 'The uptake in tennis post-Covid has been steady, and there are long waiting lists,' says Daragh Murphy, past captain of Charleville Tennis Club in Phibsborough, Dublin. 'I'm in two clubs with waiting lists, with my local club having over 350 on the waiting list. It's an excellent excuse to get out into the fresh air, mingle and get some exercise.'
Water-repellent mens jacket, €170, Lacoste
Rivalling its popularity is padel, the fast-growing sport that is further fuelling the racquet sport fever and helping drive demand for tennis apparel. According to market research firm Dataintelo, the global market for tennis clothing is expected to reach $5.2 billion by 2032. With the increased demand for both sports, it's proof that there is a market for fresh, functional sportswear, and brands are taking note.
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Tennis skirt with liner, €110, Lacoste
Designed to perform but effortless enough for everyday wear, today's tennis styles work hard on the court and look just as good off it. Polished pleats, crisp polos and minimalist court-inspired pieces are showing up beyond the baseline. Miu Miu, Tory Burch and Lacoste have all served up tennis-inspired styles into their runway collections, proving you can dress the part, whether or not you've picked up a racquet. But it's not just high-end designers tapping into tennis-core; a new league of mid-price brands is delivering coffee-run-meets-court-rally styles.
Midlayer, €140, Adidas x Stella McCartney
Men's tennis shorts, €115, Sporty & Rich
Varley offers polished neutrals and cosy zip-ups perfect for layering, while Sporty & Rich channels a vintage preppy style. Adidas x Stella McCartney fuses innovative technology, sustainability and a sprinkle of style thanks to McCartney's fashion credentials.
Zip-up, €120, Varley
Los Angeles-based activewear brand Splits59, which boasts a celebrity roster including Margot Robbie and Hailey Bieber, has just launched at Seagreen in Monkstown and Ranelagh in Dublin. It's known for its functional clothing that transcends traditional workout gear.
That said, if you do fancy a rally, dressing for the game in Ireland's unpredictable, often inclement weather requires a nuanced blend of performance, mobility and design-driven details.
Green tennis trainers, €200, Adidas x Stella McCartney
Similar to standard performance workout gear, think moisture-wicking fabrics that allow you to move freely across the court. Murphy relies on one brand, Nike, appreciating the consistent fit and the variety of technical fabrics they offer.
Slam dri-fit tank, €70, Nike
'Slam shirts have a more premium fabric, which is great for hot weather or long sessions,' he says. 'DRI-Fit tops have a nice stretch, are lighter, and effectively handle sweat. Heritage Polos have a classy look and are breezy, but they're not ideal for humid weather.' Wind- and rainproof zip-ups, as well as stable trainers explicitly designed for sprinting on the court, are also essential.
Forest green court dress, €122, Varley
You can either channel Wimbledon whites with crisp styles, or opt for something bolder; it depends on your mood, the weather, performance and opponent, says Murphy. 'Is it sunny out? Then maybe it's time for some bold and striking colours. Are you playing against a nemesis? Perhaps it's time for some muted blacks and greens. Did I lose badly in a certain top? Then that top might not see the light of day again for a while.'
Skirt, €70, Fila
Printed tennis dress, €80, J.Lindeberg
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Up until this point, I have smugly avoided the struggle of the Mary Murphys and Seán O'Connors of the world. Neither my first nor second name is obscure, and yet my full name has always stood out on life's roll calls. So standing there as just some other Molly Fur(e)y, humbled by this receptionist's critical spelling error, I had to wonder: what is in a name? Can our identity be wrapped up in it or is it just some random jumble of letters used to identify us? Shakespeare's Juliet was sure of the latter when she first said ('a rose by any other name would smell as sweet', etc), but I have always felt my name was as specific to me as my fingerprint. Living in the name-shadow of £6 million-worth of blonde and beauty, however, I've had to question the vanity of such an assumption. READ MORE 'You are such a Molly,' people have said to me. I do not know what this means, but it is always satisfying to hear. 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