Perhaps the most iconic displays of women’s fashion in sports are in racket sports, particularly tennis. Tennis has long been celebrated for its blend of athleticism and personal style with the classic mini skirt or mini dress silhouette, customizable by special prints and textures. According to HerAgenda, tennis and fashion have gone hand-in-hand since the 1800s. Around the time when modern tennis was adapted in 1837, the upper class would dress up for a match of tennis, which gave an opportunity to socialize with other elites. Since then, the original women’s tennis uniform, previously consisting of an inconvenient corset and long skirt, has been swapped for short skirts or mini dresses, among other modern modifications. Women’s tennis, pickleball and badminton are all distinct sports with their own dress code and culture. However, tennis does tend to reel in the most viewers by showcasing renowned superathletes including Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka.
Interestingly, pickleball has seen a rise in popularity, with five million players in the U.S. in 2021 skyrocketing to 36.5 million players in 2022, according to CNBC Sport. Pickleball fashion and “outfit inspo” has gained traction across TikTok. Pickleball fashion typically consists of a mini dress and can include custom pickleball rackets or a stylish pair of new sneakers. Brands such as Nike and Alo Yoga have released women’s racket sport dresses so women can be dressed to impress for their matches.
FHS sophomore and badminton team member Vivian Chang commented on her sport’s unique fashion.
“I feel like the people who dress in what they feel comfortable in, really gives them a boost in their mindset of when they play games, and it’ll make them feel prepared and get their mental state ready for whatever they’re going to compete against,” Chang said.
Women in racket sports have taken the opportunity to express their personal style with confidence in their matches. Women’s badminton dress code is similar to the skirt or mini dress silhouette present in tennis and pickleball. However, Chang revealed that FHS badminton players wear a jersey and athletic pants for matches. This is for convenience for the athletes, as well as the fact that gendered uniforms can be difficult for badminton players, as it’s one of the few co-ed FHS sports.
“A lot of people wear uniforms to games so their team can be coordinated and I think that’s a big part of the connection [within the team],” FHS sophomore and badminton team member Laasya Mariboyina said.
Badminton and tennis are racket sports offered competitively at FHS and can be a fun hobby for high school students. Racket sports can mean a lot to adult women, as well. On 2014’s Forbes 100 Highest Paid Athletes list, there were only 3 women and all were tennis players (Li Na, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova). Even more, the rise of pickleball’s popularity, specifically on social media, has been largely backed by women. Women who participate in racket sports can excel not only in their skill, but also in their court-ready fashion.
