With summer fast approaching, the time is approaching when we break out our tennis whites or see Wimbledon’s finest in theirs.
But now, Generation Z is taking it a step further, with the latest sneaker trend taking TikTok and other social media platforms by storm.
And it’s largely thanks to actor Zendaya, who has donned tennis gear, including shoes with tennis balls on the heels, as part of her press tour for the upcoming movie Challengers, where she plays a tennis prodigy.
According to data from the Buy Now, Pay Later platform Clearpay, the online trend has translated into real sales, with purchases of tennis-related clothing increasing significantly over the past year.
For example, sales of skorts in the United Kingdom are up 134 percent year-on-year, and sales of pleated miniskirts are up 109 percent.
Zendaya was photographed while promoting her new movie Challengers, in which she plays a tennis prodigy. The film is believed to have inspired much of the core tennis trend.
Core tennis has been trending on TikTok, with people creating videos showing off their outfits inspired by the trend.
The trend has coincided with a significant increase in sales of tennis-related items, including pleated skirts.
And Brits have also been buying tennis accessories and footwear: “sports socks saw a 20 percent increase in growth, and white sneakers increased 27 percent among Generation Z compared to the previous year.”
Additionally, Etsy has also seen a significant increase in searches for sneaker essentials over the past three months, compared to the same period last year.
According to the online retail platform, searches for sweaters, hoodies or tennis shirts have increased 47 percent, leading Etsy to predict that the trend will “continue to grow throughout the spring and summer.”
Etsy Trend Expert Dayna Isom Johnson said, “This spring, and heading into a summer packed with sporting events, we’re loving all things tennis.
“The fact that it is both comfortable and stylish has likely led to the rise in popularity of sportswear as everyday clothing, as shoppers increasingly look for comfort in what they wear.”
It’s no surprise to see that the film has increased interest in the style, according to sports icon Venus Williams, speaking to Harper’s Bazaartennis attire is always in fashion.
She said: ‘Tennis never goes out of style, it’s always in fashion! I’ve always loved seeing people embrace tennis-core and incorporate it into everyday style in their own unique way.
“Tennis has long been at the intersection of sport and fashion, and Lacoste was one of those pioneers who helped elevate sporty-chic looks.”
TikTok creators from around the world have taken part in the Challengers Outfit of the Day challenge, where they try to recreate basic tennis looks.
Wimbledon has launched a clothing line with its motif. Tennis staples include pieces like this dress (pictured, left) and this skirt (pictured, right)
It’s not just the clothing that’s getting a preppy makeover: the sneaker core also extends to interior decor.
And Etsy also credits the star-studded tennis movie Challengers for interest in tennis.
According to the platform, which describes tennis as a “treasured British pastime”, the sport not only influences fashion, but “also perfectly complements interior decoration.”
“Characterized by clean, simple items that exude a preppy and practical vibe, Tennis Core is the ideal choice to refresh your home this spring,” Etsy said.
“Prints and other decorations, such as statues, offer an easy way to integrate the core aesthetic of tennis into your home, as they can blend effortlessly with any décor.”
To create the look, he also suggested incorporating old rackets or still life sketches into your interior design.
Other small touches that could help you embrace the trend in your home include printed items, such as a tennis ball cushion or an embroidered towel.
According to Etsy: ‘These small touches can significantly elevate the ambiance; Simplicity is essential in this style.