By Jennifer Creel
Hitting the courts, like hitting the runway, is all about attitude. How you wear what you wear can be a game changer. We’ve got some notes on choosing an outfit that will make you look like a winner, even if you’re sitting in the stands.
The game of tennis holds a special place in my heart, both on and off the court. I’ve had a racquet in my hand since I was 3 years old. My father was a huge inspiration in my tennis life; he was semi-professional, and also taught tennis when he was 16 years old at the Coral Beach and Tennis Club in Bermuda. I love to play, but there’s something so electric about sitting in the stands watching awe-inspiring athletes compete. The US Open is such an intense and exciting event. Every year, as the summer draws to a close, the US Open serves as a Grand Slam social party of the summer, and a welcoming announcement of the fall.
Tennis has been around forever. It’s such a classic, timeless sport, and it has a grip on our culture strong enough to create and hold its own fashion. When you step on the court, you naturally want to wear appropriate attire. And while there are no prizes for fashion at the US Open, you also want to look the part and come correct as a spectator.
I play tennis at my club, where I wear all white. It’s the usual fare, with the club’s tennis hat, athletic tops, and tennis skirts, and of course there are the tennis shoes—or as New Yorkers call them, sneakers. Sunscreen is essential! I love that athletic gear has SPF protection built into it, so I usually wear long sleeves, in breathable fabric, and stay well covered. I like to wear Supergoop! sunscreen, and make sure that I apply it religiously. If I want to look chic, I’ll tie a colorful scarf around my neck, and I can’t leave home without my big sunglasses.
To honor the elegance of the sport, and because the US Open is such a big deal, I think it’s important to dress smart, and dress well. I aim for classic and chic, and my favorite tennis fashion is Thom Browne. His signature pleated skirt is a perfect fit, with a loose flowy short-sleeved shirt, Oxford shoes, sneakers, or pumps with a tiny heel, and a matching handbag to complete the outfit. Depending on how hot it is that day, I may wear wedges or espadrilles, and depending on where I’m sitting, a hat is usually useful. I keep a cotton D. Porthault handkerchief handy to dab at my face if it’s warm.
None of my outfits are complete without a necklace or bracelet from my collection, or whatever else helps to nervously fidget with during the nail-biting matches. But first and foremost is having fun, and my friends and I make a day of it! First, we have a nice lunch before the finals, then a day of intense moments that wind into the night. It’s so entertaining to look around, greet acquaintances, feel the excitement of everyone gathered, see the families of the players, see who’s playing, who’s coaching, and who’s watching.
The beginning of September is an exciting time in the city, with people returning from their summer vacations, Fashion Week soon after Labor Day, and the US Open is the kickoff party. The buzz, excitement, and energy are undeniable. Wearing your “tennis best” feels like a fresh start—to a new season and new beginnings.
