Over the last few years, tennis has transcended its traditional style tropes.

Once seen as whitewashed, stuffy and conservative, the game has gone on to smash conventional approaches to fashion to become adopted by some of the most discerning, underground imprints through to huge, global movements.

Tennis has always enjoyed an enduring relationship with fashion – polos, sweaters, tall white socks, court sneakers, caps, and bracelets are timeless pieces fit for any wardrobe – but now, the sport’s elegant and preppy style is now entering the mainstream like never before.

Whether it’s the rise of art-adjacent tennis mags like Racquet and Courts, the ongoing Ivy League and prep resurgence enshrined by the likes of Drake’s, or big-hitters like KITH, Nike, and Travis Scott bridging the street and court together like never before, it’s safe to say tennis has continued serving sartorial aces in 2023.

From rising Copenhagen brand Palmes to Diadora’s enduring on and off-court excellence, take a look through our list of the defining tennis-meets-fashion movements that have delivered some of 2023’s biggest looks.

Palmes Tennis Society

Established in 2021, Copenhagen-based label Palmes is spearheading the modern tennis movement. Palmes constantly works on athletic playgrounds, crafting its own interpretation of on-court uniforms influenced by historic tennis culture.

Most recently, Palmes entered an untapped space by debuting tennis-focused performance eyewear made to enhance the competitive experience. Elsewhere, Palmes united with Blackstock & Weber to craft tennis ball-inspired loafers while opening the doors to a first-of-its-kind tennis shopping experience in Copenhagen earlier this year. Palmes shows no signs of slowing down and aims to develop an immersive tennis universe for international players of all ages.

Racquet Magazine x Reigning Champ

Tennis has not only crossed generational and cultural boundaries but has also entered the media landscape with a strong trajectory. Quarterly tennis publication Racquet Magazine, is at the forefront and shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to informative and game-ready news.

To continue its expansion, Racquet Magazine joined forces with Reigning Champ on a four-piece capsule collection that aids tennis lovers in play. Inspired by 1980s tennis academies, the collaboration unveiled co-branded polos, crewnecks, sweatpants, and shorts made from breathable Solotex Mesh and Midweight Terry fabrics ideal for matchday.

Lacoste’s Resurgence

Lacoste has always been at the top of the tennis movement, igniting changes for on-court menswear uniforms in the early 1900s. Tennis star René Lacoste famously designed the quintessential polo shirt to allow players full range of motion.

Lacoste has seen a resurgence in 2023, modernizing its offerings for the current generation. While Louise Trotter departed in January, the brand has injected itself into the current fashion circle with an open mindset. Furthermore, Lacoste previewed a runway collaboration COMME des GARÇONS Shirt, while joining Netflix to celebrate its most streamed shows and opening a new flagship store on London’s Regent Street.

The COMME des GARÇONS x Nike Tennis Classic

Since the launch of Nike‘s tennis division, the brand has become recognized on-court for its innovative approach to athletic clothing and footwear. Nike has embraced its collaborative strategy within the sport, recently collaborating with Rei Kawakubo‘s COMME des GARÇONS to revive the Nike Tennis Classic.

The silhouette’s versatile and sleek build is ideal for competitive tennis games and features CDG’s tonal trademark design. The all-black and all-white sneakers boast leather uppers, co-branded insoles, and slim rubber bottoms that support all-day wear.

Sergio Tacchini SS23 by Aidan Cullen

Earlier this year, tennis label Sergio Tacchini headed to the scorching desert of Anza-Borrego, California, to photograph its latest star-studded campaign. Shot by Aidan Cullen, the offering pictured Euphoria‘s Angus Cloud, skater Nico Hiraga, Khalil Ghani, Amalie Gassmann, and Isabella Elei on captivating pastel tennis courts.

The “Beyond the Line” collection highlighted Tacchini’s athletic elegance through simplistic attire destined for grass courts. Revisiting its staple silhouettes, the brand released rainbow-infused tracksuits alongside landscaped-printed tops and bottoms ideal for sun-drenched competitions.

Reigning Champ x Prince

In the summer of 2022, Vancouver-based label Reigning Champ tapped tennis heritage imprint Prince for a diverse sportswear collection that welcomes all to play. The 1970s icon has proven its extensive expertise in tennis equipment, channeled into Reigning Champ’s silhouettes.

The collection’s clean green and white palette reflects classic tennis hues spread across co-branded tees, moisture-absorbing shorts, Solotex mesh polos, and collared crewnecks. The duo also sent players to the court prepared for the heat with sun-shielding bucket hats, visors, tennis balls, and an original Graphite 108 racquet for both beginner and experienced athletes.

adidas Stan Smith adiFOM Mules

Since its inception, adidas has been a significant player in tennis. The German brand has launched one court-ready model after another, but few come close to the adidas Stan Smith. While its 1965 debut took the world by storm, adidas has known how to push design boundaries that align with current generations. adidas’ Stan Smith adiFOM Mules are the perfect example, catering to Gen Z’s vibrant personality.

The shoe features a sugarcane foam construction while maintaining the round shape of the original sneaker. adidas’ Trefoil emblem is embossed onto the upper toe boxes, while heel tab outlines hit the rears, and additional branding accents the platform soles that will boost your height an inch or two.

John McEnroe x Nike Mac Attack 2023

American tennis player John McEnroe is recognized as one of the greats, earning endless titles between the 1970s and ‘80s and becoming synonymous with rebellious on-court behavior. McEnroe signed with Nike in 1978, catapulting the brand onto tennis courts globally.

After nearly 50 years, the athlete joined Nike again to reintroduce the Mac Attack silhouette alongside Travis Scott. McEnroe’s signature model receives its first-ever retro release, arriving in its original blue and grey colorway on June 23 at retailers globally.

KITH x Wilson

Wilson entered tennis in 1914, manufacturing rackets and gut strings for emerging players. Wilson eventually became the gold standard in the sport, pushing itself forward next to American player Jack Kramer. His signature racket was ultimately used by tennis legends worldwide, continuing to design on-court tools with ultra-modern technology today.

This year, Wilson looked to penetrate the streetwear market by partnering with KITH to create a dapper clothing offering for on and off-court affairs. The collection merged brand DNA through co-branded touches, Wilson racquet illustrations, and classic tennis silhouettes. Striped polos, dresses, and tanks received all-white finishes, accompanied by cable-knit cardigans, embroidered windbreakers, and leather racket bags for your next match.

Diadora B.560 Sneaker

Diadora is a tried and true legend in the sports industry, redefining the tennis world since the early 1960s. Its perspective on elevated craftsmanship and player collaboration quickly pushed it onto animated grounds, outlined by Bjorn Borg’s extensive Diadora partnership.

Although Diadora’s on-court presence has changed over the past half-century, it continues to dominate left and right. The brand’s recent reintroduction of its B.560 sneaker signaled a new and modern approach, mixing classic tennis touches with technical detailing. The retro-style silhouette boasts a mesh and white leather build, accented by Diadora’s trademark symbol across the medials. Yellowed sole units complete the design, injected with updated cushioning for street-level comfort.