Get Your AO on
inspo from the australia open
Over 1.5 Million Aussies already play tennis, and The Australian Open is always sure to pique our interest and get many more of us picking up a racquet. In December 2021, tennis was the fastest-growing sport in the country, out-growing all of the major football codes and the ever-popular basketball and netball. We are blessed to have icons like Ash Barty and Sam Stosur to inspire us to get out on the court in a positive way, and like them or love them, naughty boys Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic, keep tennis front and centre in the news.
The Australian Open is inspiring on so many levels; even if you are not a tennis fan, it is hard not to get caught up in the on and off-court dramas that lead the headlines at this time of year. If neither the action nor the controversies are getting you excited, then there is always the fashion.
Though we have missed the bold stylings of Venus and Serena at this year's first Grand Slam, there have been some standouts from the big names, as well as the emergence of smaller names doing big things.
Nike - just do’in it again
Definitely the most talked about style of the Aussie Glam Slam has been the Nike Slam print. The bright, bold print is a feature for both the men's and women's Nike teams. American Frances Tiafoe upped his fashion game (though sadly, not his tennis game) in a print-on-print shirt and short combo.
Let’s be honest, the print-on print is a lot, but when teamed with pretty matching block-coloured skirts or shorts, the Slam range brings a whole lot of happy to the court. The swirling pattern of colours with fabulous names like Picante Red and Fushia Dream is inspired by a high-res topography map and has been worn beautifully throughout the comp by the likes of Emma Raducanu and Aryna Sabalenka.
While you may or may not be ready to rock the Slam print, the range also includes some great pretty, and practical court-ready pieces like the Dri-Fit Slam skirt or the Dri-Fit Slam long-sleeved cropped tennis tee.
Not to forget, of course, the business end of the outfit. If your feet are working up the on-court miles, check out the NikeCourt Air Zoom GP Turbo Osaka. Naomi Osaka would have worn the pretty blossom print had she not had to sit this one out due to her exciting pregnancy. (Huge Congrats to her, BTW!) Most of the Nike team will hit the court in the NikeCourt Air Zoom Vapour 11, which has superseded the much-loved NikeCourt React Vapour NXT.
Reliable Hitters and First Serves
With 128 female players taking the court at this years open, there has been a smorgasbord of tennis fashion on offer from both sponsored and non-sponsored players. The usual hitters, Lotto, Adidas, K-Swiss, Fila, and Asics, all seemed to opt for a hit of colour, with multi or techni colour featuring across the board - a far cry from the all-white tradition of Wimbledon. Even the often conservative Lacoste went for colour, with Anett Kontaveit taking the court in a racer-back dress in pastel aqua with royal blue trim.
Leylah Fernadez was one of the few female players taking the court in Lululemon. Their tennis-inspired range features, like all of their activewear, clean, simple lines, soft colours, and high-performance fabrics.
Well known for adding a unique, quirky edge to fashion, Free People Movement, represented by Sloane Stephens and Sofia Kenin, is absolutely for the FitHer looking for something just a little bit different. We are loving the detail of the Synergy Bra and can’t go past the super-fun Nettie Pickle Ball Set, complete with retro sweatbands - definitely, one for your summer wish list!
“Alo Alo”
In what can only be considered a win for US yoga apparel brand Alo, despite not being an official brand ambassador, Danielle Collins has again taken the court in style wearing their gorgeous Yoga-derived tennis-inspired range. But really, who can blame her? The Alo range delivers comfort in simple lines, quality materials, and a huge range of colour options and all from a company openly committed to ethical, sustainable, and environmentally friendly production. The Alo team couldn’t resist the poise meets power of the tennis world, as it perfectly aligns with their mission to deliver high-performance, fashion-forward activewear. The Alo tennis edit is in keeping with their company ethos of studio-to-street or, in this case, perhaps court-to-cafe. The FitHer team loves the Grand Slam Skirt; flattering in any size, the micro-pleat skirt features a high, thick waistband and hidden shorts with pockets. The only challenge is choosing which of the six colours to buy!
Volley X The Upside
Off the court, we are obsessed with the collaborative stylings of tennis OG, Volley, and Australian athleisure brand, The Upside. The FitHer team are all picking up our racquets just to give us an excuse to get into this gorgeous gear. (But really, who needs an excuse to be fab!) Headlined by high and low-topped heritage-designed vegan kicks, the limited edition range elevates the traditional tennis whites by adding classic navy and red striped features and delivers sleek and sexy pieces with a glamourous country club vibe reminiscent of 1970s Hollywood glam. Check out the super cute Love Fay Dress for on and off the court or the Palmer Louie Sweater for casual post-match cocktails. The range was a highlight of the merch stands at the AO, so expect to see some of your favs rocking it around town and at this season's upcoming grand slams.
