L'etoile Sport

Women who play golf and tennis have never in history had more clothing and gear options than they have today. These two sports allow for a great variety of style within their clothing guidelines, and with the plethora of choices available today, picking out an outfit can be a bit overwhelming. Whether you’re looking for function with flair or classic and casual, here is a guide that can help you narrow down your search and find the perfect women’s golf or tennis outfit for you. For even more style ideas, look through the L’Etoile Sport golf and tennis collections.

How to Choose the Right Women’s Golf and Tennis Outfits

There has never been a greater variety of choices in what to wear for women involved in sports. Not only are there more cute tennis outfits for women available than you could ever hope to wear, but they are available in a range of materials and styles to meet every demand. You’ll find similar trends in golf clothing, where years of tradition meet innovative fabrics and flattering cuts.

Selecting Your Sportswear Style

So how does one choose among the many tennis outfits for women? Or select what to wear on the golf course? Your personal preference certainly gets a vote when making that choice, but you should also keep in mind where you will be playing. Private clubs often enforce a more traditional dress code. Visors, skirts and shirts with sleeves are the best choice in these settings. The good news is that even the most traditional styles are available in moisture wicking fabric that will keep you cool and comfortable through a heated match.

Playing on a golf course or tennis court that doesn’t adhere to a strictly traditional dress code allows you to expand your wardrobe options even further. Blouson and crew neck zip dresses make cute tennis outfits, and pleated skirts and sweater dresses look smart on the golf course. These flattering and contemporary cuts look great whether you are ready for a match or enjoying a drink at the club.

Other Factors to Consider
When selecting clothing for your sport of choice, style is only one part of the selection. You should feel comfortable in what you are wearing and be able to move around easily. A well-cut outfit should follow your motion, not slip and move around while you are racing across the court. Many modern tennis tops have built in bras, which not only provide support, but give you a smooth, streamlined look.

Don’t forget the accessories to complete your look. A visor keeps the sun, and your hair, out of your face. Sleek undershorts allow you to dive for the ball without worrying about what you are exposing to bystanders.

Concerns over price should not intimidate you away from selecting a new tennis or golf outfit. Modern designs, in sports-specific fabrics, are lightweight, breathable and will last for years. Investing in one or two athletic outfits that fit wonderfully and feel terrific will keep you motivated to play — having an outfit you know you always look great in is a wonderful morale booster.

In the late 1800′s and early 1900′s, apparel for women’s golf and tennis was made following a very conservative style. The rule seemed to be long skirts and long-sleeved blouses with tight sleeves. When women played tennis, they were also required to wear hats.

Golf shirts for women at that time had sleeves that were very fitted, which sometimes posed mobility problems when they tried to swing. The golf club would often catch the shirt sleeves. Even though skirts were slightly raised off the ground, the club would also sometimes catch in the skirt.

Short Skirts Were Scandalous In The 1920′s
A female tennis player named Suzanne Lenglen created shock-waves in 1922 when she showed up for a tennis match at Wimbledon wearing a short skirt. She wore no hat and she chose instead to wear a bandeau in her hair, which let her see what she was doing. In 1930, it finally became acceptable for women not to wear a hat to play tennis. Also in the 1930′s, another player named Alice Marble surprised the tennis world by wearing a pair of white shorts on the tennis court.

The styles of women’s golf apparel improved very slowly. In 1909, women were allowed to wear a cardigan sweater instead of a jacket to play golf. Fabric that women’s golf clothing was made from changed from heavy fabrics to a stretchy knit jersey fabric for skirts and blouses. Soon after that, pleated skirts became the popular fashion statement for women.

Knickers enjoyed a short period of popularity but were only worn by some women. Short dresses were also favored for a while but they eventually became less popular. One of the longest lasting trends was to wear a top paired with a pleated skirt. This style is still worn today.

The Introduction Of Skorts
In the 1960′s, tennis skorts became fashionable for women. They were worn on golf courses and on tennis courts. Sometimes women wore Bermuda shorts and sleeveless blouses, but tennis skorts also became a much-loved fashion trend because of their comfort. They also allowed women to move and play to the best of their ability without the worry about bending and moving.

Tennis skorts continue to be very stylish, comfortable and popular today for women’s golf and tennis. They have a feminine look and appeal, with the extra quality of allowing for practically any type of movement. Women today are more competitive than ever before when they play sports and they appreciate comfortable clothing that allows them to always play their best game.