In 2024, you couldn’t contain tennis style to the courts if you tried. It’s been a great year for fans of the sport (and its timeless aesthetic): We kicked the summer off with Challengers (and a corresponding “Tenniscore” lookbook from Zendaya), sailed right into the Olympics, and we’ve never been more ready to obsess over all things US Open. With all that Grand Slam energy in the air, it’s no wonder that tennis skirts are suddenly everywhere.
While it’s having A Moment, the tennis skirt has actually been a staple of its sport for over a century—though not always in the functional-meets-flirty form we know and love. There was a time when an exposed ankle or—brace yourself—calf on the tennis court wasn’t just cause for gossip in the stands: It could result in official fouls. But luckily, as the sport progressed over the 20th century, tennis skirts also got a revamp to better serve the athletes wearing them.
With shorter hemlines, built-in shorts, and breezier fabrics came increased agility on the courts, and a whole new avenue of self expression for players. Combing through more than 100 years of photos of tennis skirts, I found a balance of nostalgic elements that have stood the test of time—like crisp pleats and bright whites—and enough personal flair to keep things exciting, including retro throwbacks, metallic details, and lace.
Below, check out a visual history of the tennis skirt—and stay tuned for more style inspo from the pros throughout the 2024 US Open.
1888
Bet you never thought you’d hear “floor length” and “tennis skirt” in reference to the same garment.
1912
1922
1925
1926
