Every Cool Girl Is Wearing A Tennis Skirt – And I Want One In My Wardrobe

I was on holiday recently and started to notice that every woman under the age of, I'm going to say 26, was wearing a very specific outfit formula: a halter-neck top, a pair of trainers and, crucially, a tennis skirt. As someone who's quite far north of their mid-twenties, this stopped me in my tracks. These people definitely weren't headed for a court or sunny patch of grass. They weren't carrying rackets or smuggling tennis balls in the side pockets of these skirts. They were just wearing them...because.

Maybe you're thinking, this is the final straw! After the tidal wave of track pants (bearable), capri pants (questionable) and now tennis skirts (seriously?), are we really still advocating the sporting of sports kit IRL? Yup (keep up).

Coco Gauff has a lot to answer for, too. The French Open-champion raised the game of the humble tennis skirt to a stratospheric high before she raised that silverware on the clay at Roland-Garros. Because watching her serve in that signature green-and-white uniform from Miu Miu x New Balance, you couldn't help but realise why the tennis skirt could be a style ace.

In fact, after the mild shock had subsided on holiday, I had already started to clock why the garment is a good idea (in soaring temperatures especially). As a functional piece of sportswear, most come with an in-built pair of shorts that has a pocket for your phone and/or bank card, and tend to be made of a technical material that wicks sweat away from the body to stay breathable and keep you dry on the move. After last week's heatwave and a cancelled train on my way home, I can more than see the appeal.

I possibly wouldn't pair my tennis skirt with a sporty top half or a halter-top, although they're also trending so watch the space. I would still play up its preppy side, however, with a knitted V-neck, white ribbed socks and a pair of loafers. (You can also cheat slightly by seeking out a longer style that's white, pleated and still looks ripe for a game or two.) A cute and comfortable uniform that guarantees against guests of wind and will mean you look 'down with the kids' yet grown-up? That I can get on board with.

Shop: The Best Tennis Skirts

Natalie Hammond is senior fashion news editor at Grazia. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).