Serving Sass Sans Making A Racket

Celebrities like Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Sara Ali Khan, and Nora Fatehi have all embraced variations of the ‘tennis girl’ trend, pairing sporty silhouettes with polished glam. The result is a look that feels sporty yet feminine, effortless yet curated, and relaxed yet expensive-looking.

But the popularity of the aesthetic goes beyond fashion alone. It reflects a larger lifestyle fantasy that Gen Z and young millennials are increasingly drawn to — one that combines wellness, movement, leisure, and aspirational luxury into a single visual identity.

More Than Just a Tennis Skirt

At its core, the “tennis girl” aesthetic borrows heavily from classic tennis fashion. Think pleated miniskirts, fitted tanks, zip-up jackets, visor caps, clean white sneakers, and coordinated monochrome sets. However, social media has transformed it into something much bigger than sportswear.

Today’s version mixes activewear with lifestyle dressing. A tennis skirt is no longer worn only for a workout. It is styled with chunky sneakers for brunches, oversized hoodies for airport looks, or layered with gold jewellery and sleek sunglasses for a polished off-duty appearance.

Stylist Aastha Sharma believes the trend works because it sits perfectly between comfort and aspiration. “The aesthetic feels polished without looking overdressed,” she says. “People want clothes that look active, fresh, and put together while still being comfortable enough for everyday life. Tennis-inspired dressing gives that balance.”

The rise of athleisure over the last few years has also made sporty silhouettes socially acceptable far beyond gyms and fitness studios. What started with leggings and co-ords has now evolved into more fashion-forward sporty dressing.

Gen-Z Sweet Spot

For Gen Z especially, the aesthetic feels less about tennis itself and more about the lifestyle attached to it. “It gives rich-girl energy without trying too hard,” says 21-year-old college student Riya Mehta. “Even if someone isn’t playing tennis, the clothes make you feel active, clean, and confident. It looks very Pinterest-coded.”

Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have played a huge role in romanticising this aesthetic. Soft morning routines, smoothie runs, Pilates classes, matcha cafés, and luxury wellness culture are often packaged visually alongside tennis-inspired outfits.

For many young people, the appeal lies in how “put together” the look feels without requiring excessive effort. The pieces are simple, wearable, and versatile enough to transition from one part of the day to the next.

Fashion Meets Function

Interestingly, the trend has also become popular among people working from home or following hybrid lifestyles, where comfort matters just as much as appearance.

Mitali Shah, who works remotely as a designer, says sporty dressing has naturally become part of her daily wardrobe. “When you work from home, you still want to feel presentable without wearing restrictive clothes all day,” she says. “Tennis skirts, fitted tanks, and oversized jackets feel stylish but also comfortable enough to move around in.”

This shift reflects how modern fashion is increasingly being shaped by lifestyle needs rather than rigid dress codes. People want outfits that can move between errands, cafés, meetings, workouts, and social plans without requiring a complete outfit change.

The Wellness Effect

The popularity of the “tennis girl” aesthetic also comes at a time when wellness culture is deeply influencing fashion. Activities like Pilates, pickleball, tennis, and reformer workouts have become visually tied to luxury self-care and aspirational living online.

Fashion experts say the trend taps into the idea of looking healthy, active, and disciplined rather than overtly glamorous. The makeup is softer, the silhouettes are cleaner, and the styling feels more effortless compared to heavily curated trends from the past.

The aesthetic carries a nostalgic quality. It borrows from vintage sportswear while still feeling modern enough for social media culture. Sporty dressing is no longer limited to the gym. The “tennis girl” trend has become less about the sport itself and more about the lifestyle fantasy surrounding it: movement, balance, leisure, and looking effortlessly chic while doing it all.