Where has traditional tennis attire gone?

1900s

Tennis grew popular in Victorian England, and the clothing matched the fashion of the day: dresses with high collars and long sleeves. White clothing, which dirties easily, became a symbol of the rich, much like the sport itself. “Tennis whites” gradually became a rule, with Wimbledon mandating all-white uniforms for its players in 1890. In the early 1900s, women played tennis in floor-length skirts, stockings, and long-sleeved tops (all of which prevented range of mobility). British tennis player Dorothea Douglass (shown here) won the Wimbledon Women’s Singles title seven times.

So, where have those days gone? Tennis skirts are barely covering the important things down there. Ladies are wearing tank tops with “no support” and just letting it “all hang out.” Oh please, just wear some kind of bra PLEASE.

I just played a person literally wearing speckled gold disco pants tonight. I swear, I thought she was a Solid Gold dancer when she came prancing out on the court. OK, yes, she kicked my behind on the court but I’m just going to call foul and that the gold speckles were in my eyes all night!!!

I do find it interesting how tennis attire has changed throughout the years. Tennis skirts became shorter through the 1930 and 1940s. Tennis whites were no longer mandatory as the years went on. Now, you have “Cat Suits” and fun things like that.

Me – I will stick to the plain ole tennis skirts and maybe the tennis shorts with the place to put the ball. Oh please, please, please, do not put the ball in your bra! Who wants to touch it after it’s been sitting in there?

I guess it really is like what Virginia Slims would claim to say – “You’ve come a long way, baby.”

Let’s take it to the net ladies.