What is Tenniscore?
Tenniscore is a preppy-meets-athletic aesthetic that blends the elegance of country-club style with the functionality of modern sportswear. It’s polished yet relaxed, rooted in tennis heritage and infused with today’s quiet luxury movement, where subtle details and quality craftsmanship speak louder than logos.
Emerging from decades of tennis-inspired fashion cycles, think Wimbledon whites, Ralph Lauren campaigns, and the preppy looks of the 80s and 90s, tenniscore captures the timeless appeal of the sport while adapting it to contemporary wardrobes.
The look centers on iconic silhouettes like pleated skirts, knit polo shirts, lightweight court dresses, and sweaters casually draped over the shoulders. Its color palette stays clean and classic with optic whites, creams, kelly greens, and navy, brought to life through fabrics such as piqué, fine knits, and technical nylons. Accessories complete the aesthetic: crisp white sneakers, ribbed sport socks, visors, and even bags inspired by tennis rackets.
Unlike athleisure, which focuses primarily on performance and comfort, tenniscore emphasizes refinement and heritage. It’s less about playing the game and more about channeling its sophistication, bringing a sense of effortless luxury to everyday style.
Tenniscore in 2025 : Where the trend stands
Athleisure has been a major trend for the past few seasons, with brands creating their own versions of leggings, sweatshirts, sneakers, and more. A main appeal of this movement was the leisure aspect; you don’t need to be athletic to rock athleisure.
According to Heuritech’s data, although tennis short skirts have gone down 21% in the past 12 months, windbreaker and retro trainers, two key garments of the aesthetic, remain on trend, with a growth of 17% and 42% YoY, respectively.
Image: Heuritech’s Tenniscore theme
Despite tennis core being a couple years old, the aesthetic’s influence extends to the current market, so much so that another similar theme has risen: the Paddle and Pickleball one. With skorts, pleated, and bias & flatlocks details peaking.
Image: Heuritech’s Padel & Pickleball theme
More and more brands are creating collections which lean into retro designs and 80’s health club aesthetics, drawing from the signature style of wealthy preppy college students. To understand where the tenniscore trend came from, and where it’s headed, our trend forecasters analyzed the US market and its consumers with the help of social media. We’ve collected a few trends which are unmissable for brands’ Spring 2022 collections.
Tennis skirts: Heuritech forecasts
Tennis mini skirts created quite the buzz across social media, particularly among younger consumers. In line with our trend forecasts, tennis skirts rose by +20% in visibility compared to the previous Spring in the US. Their success can be chalked up to their old-fashioned, yet flirty aesthetic, representing the cornerstone of the tenniscore movement.
On TikTok, thousands of videos explain how to style them or even how to make them, and on Instagram, celebrities and influencers are promoting their favorite branded tennis skirts. From sports specialists to Depop models, there’s enough iterations to please everyone. Tennis skirts can now be worn on the courts, or outside for city outings.
Tennis skirts had their moment. They are now predicted to decline an extra 9% in the US market in the following 12 months. Nonetheless, trends like optical white, pleated fabrics, performance jersey or mini cycling shorts are expected to keep growing, keeping the tennis influence relevant.
Image: Heuritech’s Market Insights platform
Serving looks: The forecast for white sneakers
White sneakers are everyone’s trusty pair of shoes. Nearly every brand makes them, there’s new versions every season, and they match with every outfit. More specifically, “tennis shoes” are commonly referred to in the US to describe any white, low top sneakers. In some Spanish speaking countries, “tennis” is used as a synonym of sneakers.
White sneakers are a massive trend worn by trendy and mainstream consumers. They represent 37% of sneaker’s market share, so we strongly recommend brands to include them in their collections.
Image: Heuritech’s Assortment Mix forecast
Tenniscore remains a key influence in sportswear
In a statement from Adidas, “You can be a sports enthusiast without ever playing (…), You could have never seen a match in your life, (…) but no one has to know the truth. Your secret’s safe.” If a sportswear giant like Adidas is giving the green light, it may be safe to say that athleisure is in full swing.
Tenniscore is a subculture of this widespread movement, and our trend forecasters predict more of the genre in seasons to come.
The tennis skirt crystallized passions with over 70M views for the #tennisskirts hashtag on TikTok and more than 200K on Instagram.
Cultural & commercial drivers: Why tenniscore is sticking
Tenniscore’s staying power in 2025 comes from its unique position at the crossroads of culture, lifestyle, and commerce. Pop culture has played a pivotal role in its rise, with films, series, and celebrity moments driving mass visibility. Movies like Challengers, high-profile collaborations, and courtside fashion at Grand Slam events keep the aesthetic top of mind, making it aspirational yet accessible.
We’re also witnessing a generational shift on the courts. A new wave of players is stepping into the spotlight. Alcaraz and Sinner appear more often in finals than Djokovic, and Nadal has finally retired. New generations can feel closer to the sport as they see pros their age at the competition’s top level.
The trend also resonates with today’s quiet luxury movement and old-money style codes. Its clean silhouettes, refined fabrics, and subtle branding perfectly align with consumers seeking understated sophistication rather than overt status symbols. Tenniscore delivers that balance of elegance and effortlessness, appealing to those who value quality and heritage.
Beyond fashion, the aesthetic taps into the broader wellness and lifestyle shift, as racquet sports like tennis, padel, and pickleball gain popularity as social, health-driven activities. This positions tenniscore not just as a look, but as part of a holistic lifestyle centered around leisure and well-being.
Image: Heuritech’s Tenniscore theme
