Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Tuesday Top 5: Tennis Outfits for an Aspiring Pro Who Currently Sucks at Tennis But Whatever

Last month I decided that I would become a professional tennis player, for the following reasons:
  • I was bored.
  • I've always prided myself on my grunting skills.
  • I realized that my previous life dream of train conducting would mean dealing with a lot of hat hair.
  • I used to play volleyball and I won the "Best Server" award in 9th grade, so I figured my skills would translate seamlessly.
  • And finally, THE CLOTHES. I mean, look at this photo:
What other sport not only lets you wear skirts, but dress like a badass biker chick and make grunting sounds?

Oh, and wear dangly diamond earrings?

I'm sold.

I'd never played tennis before, so I figured a good first step in my career would be signing up for a beginning tennis course at the local community college. So far I've taken four classes, gotten in trouble for wearing sequined shoes on the court, and seriously injured an elderly woman with a rogue serve to her spine. Oops.

Let's get back to focusing on the good stuff:

Top 5 Reasons I Am Going to Be a Pro Tennis Player; or: Cute Tennis Clothes I Want to Wear Everyday

Could you stay mad at someone wearing a dress like this? Even if they slammed you in the back with a poorly planned serve?

Slightly boring, sure, but really cute and super flattering. I already bought myself a skirt similar to this one and I wear it around the house a lot.

This is slightly more formal than how I might envision my wedding dress.

Love the colors. Love the pleats. Want to marry it.

I would wear this out grocery shopping after cleanly defeating Serena Williams at Wimbledon.

Do any of you guys play tennis? Any favorite brands or stores for cute tennis clotehs? Have you ever played a sport or taken up a hobby just for the fashion possibilities?

30 comments:

Laney said...

You are freakin' hilarious, Winona. Just sayin'.

Offbeat Follies said...

I used to play tennis in P.E. in high school and I really liked it ~ I don't think I was any good, but that's not the point :)
I like that "formal" looking piece; I'd totally rock it.

Alpha Monkey said...

You are completely missing the multi-sport skorts in the Golf Section! Slazenger has a very simple and flattering cut in a wide variety of sassy prints. Pair them with a tank or a polo (sweater tied around the shoulders optional).

Also, Athleta.com has some great "sport dresses" with built-in underwire bras that actually give your bust a boost.

Lorraine said...

You might also like this: http://www.shopadidas.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3729319

I once signed up for archery because I thought I would get to wear a Robin Hood hat. Another dream, smashed. . . .

FutureLint said...

I play tennis casually with friends in the summer, as a reason to make myself sprint after things... I play baseball more, and one time fouled back a pitch onto the tennis courts and luckily didn't hit anyone! I agree, tennis is one of the most stylish sports, but white is tough to wear!

lucia said...

Getting my motorcycle license so I could buy an Aprilia Scarabeo and LEATHER CLOTHES for commuting! Hooray! (and never wait in traffic or pay for parking again)

nadarine said...

Oddly enough, for someone with a crazy compulsion for collecting fabulous shoes, every sport I've ever picked up REQUIRES me to be barefoot. (Swimming, tae kwon do, yoga.)

I suppose I could wear lipstick to yoga to counteract the lack of accessories, but even I'd judge me in that case.

roysie said...

But of course! I took up skiing for this same reason.

Rosie Unknown said...

I played tennis for a few summers, but gave it up when I realized that I was actually supposed to sweat in my cute outfits. So now I just take my siblings to their lessons, and dress like a gothic tennis player.

Erin said...

Totally. I played field hockey for five years for the cute plaid skirt. I also happened to be pretty good at taking girls out at the knees with my drive, but that's just a side effect.
I stopped playing two years ago, but I still have the skirt, and yes I still wear it :)

ninaribena said...

Winona, just be honest with us now. You only like tennis because it's the only acceptable way to show chocha.
xxx

Beth said...

Really, if you want a fashionable sport, pick up riding lessons! Even if you don't like the breeches, there's nothing hotter than tall boots and hunt coats - sometimes literally.

(Okay, yes, there is a certain smell involved... but after a while you don't even notice it...)

Lisa said...

Salsa. I get to wear my normal clothes, plus it encourages the purchase of many pairs of strappy ballroom heels. Enough said. ;-)

melissa rose said...

haha, i love it.
i joined the rugby team in high school so i could score a jersey...
my body did not think that was a good enough reason and was very angry for months afterwards.

willies_spots said...

crackn' up at hitting an old lady in the back...i ACTUALLY snorted lol!

WendyB said...

What? Where's my SmacEnroe tennis necklace?

Miss Hulk said...

I have wanted to play tennis for years for this very reason.

Renée T. Habashy said...

Strangely enough, a couple of generations prior, the only acceptable attire on a tennis court was all-white and conservative. I don't think the Williams sisters would have liked that very much. Tennis attire has changed dramatically in the last couple of decades.

Meanwhile, check out Izod- they tend to have lots of brightly colored tennis skirts and skorts.

http://reneetbouchard.blogspot.com

Kate said...

I absolutely love this post, mostly because of the last picture and caption; my Mom plays tennis almost every day in sassy, well coordinated outfits, and she often wears them to the grocery store. During the cold winter months she likes to stay warm in her mini pleated skirt by wearing her full length fur coat... with sneakers. I fully think you could pull this look off almost as well as my mother. PS Thrifting is a great way to find tennis attire, I've seen plenty of skirts and cable knit sweaters.

yolio said...

God, serena is so fantastic. Check out the dress she wore at the Australia open:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/01/30/article-0-0815AC27000005DC-986_468x350.jpg

I love the necklace she accessorized it with.

Anonymous said...

Both my dad and my husband love tennis, but I am a lost cause. I can see the appeal, though. What other sport offers such fanciful garb?

Bekah said...

this is funny because I've actually done this.
a few years ago my sister bought a really cute tennis dress from lululemon and then decided that we should start playing tennis so she could wear it.
then we got cute matching tennis skirts, and our dad bought us rackets and balls, the whole nine.
...we've played...twice. in maybe the past three years.

Orlando personal injury lawyer said...

Haha... I love the way they redesign athletic wear :)

Katy Mary said...

You are so super funny! I think tennis does have some fab clothes :) I used to play softball, no cuteness there and I used to swim competitively, nothing hot about a speedo that is 1 size too small to prevent drag in the water!

Knitwear M. Groundhog said...

Totally. I really wanted to play tennis, just to wear the clothes, but I don't have the arm strength. I've compromised with golf... the clothes are just as cute.

Unknown said...

SERIOUSLY! Where ELSE can one wear such flattering and lovely athletic gear?

Unknown said...

I was quite excited to see the words "wedding" and "marry" in this post. Anything you want to tell me? Can I continue to hope?
Mom

Adele said...

Tennis is the best sport because you can wear cute clothes and the opponent stays yards away from you on the other side of a net. So civilized. I love Lacoste tennis clothes - if you want to go for the 70s preppy look.

echidna girl said...

That top photo is totally bad ass. Inspirational. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Can't believe I missed this post - for anyone reading archives (like me), Nike makes the cutest tennis and golf skirts. Hands down! Oh, and you don't have to worry about your chocha because most come with those handy "shorts" underneath... just in case.

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