By Antonia Day Interiors 13.09.2023

Tenniscore: How to Incorporate the Sports-Luxe Look Into Your Home

Move over Barbiecore, it's time to serve the athleisure aesthetic.

Whether it was the US Open that reignited the internet’s love for tennis-esque ‘fits and accessories, or the resurgence of the sport gaining popularity during the pandemic, it’s safe to say that ‘tenniscore’ is here, and it’s here to stay.

Combining modern athleisure with the vintage country club aesthetic, the sartorial element of ‘tenniscore’ consists of crisp, predominantly white pieces accessorised with pastel-hued tones, styled minimalistically for a preppy quiet luxury look. It's sporty, but not 'sweaty' sporty.

If you're looking for inspo, brands such as Lacoste have been serving 'tenniscore’ since day one, with stark white tennis skirts and emerald green cable knit sweaters, while high-end labels such as Miu Miu and Gucci have jumped on the off-court preppy bandwagon in more recent years.

The History of ‘Tenniscore’

While tennis definitely experienced a renaissance during the pandemic – when hitting around that lime-green ball was the perfect excuse for some socially distanced socialising – the tennis aesthetic has a longer history. The white uniform, in fact, was introduced in the 1800s during Wimbledon, as a practical choice to keep the players cool.

Tennis outfits made their way off the courts soon after, with preppy athletic looks becoming the standard attire in country clubs and tennis lodges. In the early 1900s these sport-inspired 'fits began to strut streets, where the on-court aesthetic became a coveted style, which is still being flaunted today.

And while the look is chic both on and off the court, it's also a fresh style that works beautifully in the home. Plus, integrating this sports luxe look into your space is actually much easier than you think.

Melding modern coastal and Hamptons interior design, think of ‘tenniscore’ as quiet luxury’s athletic sibling, with a pop of zesty green.

Ahead, are five ways to bring the preppy tennis look into your space. So, if you've been thinking about adding a touch of 'tenniscore' to your home, the ball is now in your court.

1. Dress your space in crisp light linens

We're talking about a sport where an all-white getup is the uniform, so if you want your home to embody the ‘tenniscore’ aesthetic, you’re going to have to follow suit.. Light-coloured linens in White and Oatmeal effortlessly lend themselves to this preppy sports aesthetic. Try swathing your bed or couch in these lighter tones to inject a bright cleanliness into the space.

2. Stick to neutral furniture and decor

As much as we’d love to, we can’t drape everything in White Linen and call it ‘tenniscore’. So, for the more practical parts of your home, stick to using neutral tones and natural materials. Light pine, oak, and maple wood beautifully complement lighter shades while still keeping the space feeling refreshing.

3. Use pastel hues when injecting colour

Inject hints of your personality into the space by playing around with different colour accents. Try sticking to pastel hues in 'country club colours' like green and blue to keep the space feeling airy. We recommend experimenting with hues like Sage, Fog, and Mineral.

4. Use lush foliage as decor

Reminiscent of the lush green courts the players grace during Wimbledon, adding a pop of greenery into your home in the form of a plant is a great way to inject the ‘tenniscore’ aesthetic into your home.

5. Keep the space minimal

A ‘tenniscore’ outfit is always pared back, so when styling your home, aim to keep clutter at a minimum. Try to avoid filling the walls with printed works, keep surfaces bare with just the essentials, and keep the colour palette simple.