Left to right: Susan Aparicio, Terry Braun, Carol Trentadue
Dannette Hunnel
Tennis dress code was written for Wimbledon in the 1880s because sweat stains were considered improper and unsightly. It was decided that white should be worn to minimize the visibility, as sweat is more apparent on colorful clothing. Beginning in the 1920s, women’s tennis fashion became more daring, comprised of knee-length skirts and loose-fitting tops revealing their arms. Men began wearing shorts in the 1930s rather than long trousers. In the 1970s the tennis dress codes of casual play and professional tournaments had more relaxed rules, emphasizing clean, professional tennis attire. But Wimbledon still famously required almost entirely white attire for players.
Classic tennis outfits of today for women include skirts or dresses, which are often paired with compression shorts underneath. Men traditionally wear a crisp polo or collared shirt with tailored pants or shorts. But at Cottonwood Tennis Club, it’s anyone’s guess as to what will appear on the court.