| Tennis clothes have changed drastically in style, fabric, | | | | moving at high speeds. Consequently, comfort is a |
| and color over the last 100 years. The first lawn tennis | | | | major concern of players. Modern tennis players |
| players in England wore formal attire when playing. | | | | prefer tennis clothes that are lightweight, fit well, repel |
| Standard tennis clothes for women were full-length | | | | moisture, and are generally comfortable. Tennis clothes |
| dresses. Men wore long pants and formal, long sleeve | | | | that keep the body cool and dry can help players |
| shirts. The tennis clothes of both men and women | | | | counteract the physical toll that playing tennis, especially |
| were entirely white in color. Contrast this formal style | | | | in hot weather, can exact. |
| with the tennis clothes worn by the tennis players of | | | | Advances in clothing technology have also contributed |
| today. Modern tennis players favor synthetic fabrics, | | | | to the evolution of tennis clothes. For years, cotton |
| more athletic clothing styles, and a greater variety of | | | | was the fabric of choice for tennis clothes. In the last |
| colors. | | | | few years, however, many tennis apparel makers |
| The evolution of tennis clothes has mirrored the | | | | have introduced garments made of new, synthetic |
| changes in everyday fashion. For example, male tennis | | | | fibers. Tennis clothes made of these synthetic fibers |
| players in the 1970's and 1980's favored short, | | | | help remove sweat from the skin and clothing by |
| tight-fitting shorts and traditional polo shirts. In the late | | | | wicking moisture away from the body. Examples of |
| 1990's and 2000's, male tennis players began to wear | | | | these clothing technologies are Adidas's ClimaCool |
| larger, looser shorts and more casual shirts. In addition, | | | | brand and Nike's Dri-FIT. Most professional tennis |
| female tennis players of the 1970's and 1980's favored | | | | players and many recreational tennis players now |
| traditional tennis clothes with an updated style. Popular | | | | wear tennis clothes made with these new |
| clothing included shortened tennis skirts and dresses. | | | | technologies because they keep them cooler and drier |
| Today's women tennis players wear a variety of | | | | than traditional tennis wear. |
| tennis clothes, ranging from tennis skirts and dresses | | | | In conclusion, tennis clothes have seen many changes |
| to shorts and t-shirts. While tennis players still wear | | | | over the years. While tennis clothes maintain some of |
| white at more traditional clubs (e.g. Wimbledon), there is | | | | their formality and traditional style, modern tennis |
| a much larger variety of colors in modern tennis | | | | players value comfort and individual style over tradition. |
| clothes. | | | | Increased athleticism, advances in technology, and |
| Another factor contributing to the evolution of tennis | | | | changes in general fashion have greatly affected the |
| clothes is the increased athleticism in the modern | | | | tennis clothing industry. In addition, breaking from their |
| game. Tennis is now a high intensity sport, requiring | | | | traditional roots, tennis clothes have become a medium |
| tremendous physical effort and exertion. Tennis | | | | for personal expression of individual style and |
| players must be able to run, cut, jump, and twist all | | | | important pieces of equipment in an increasingly |
| while executing precise tennis strokes to hit a ball often | | | | physical sport. |