It has been a long time since Rene Lacoste first wore his fashionable polo shirt to the 1926 U.S. Open championship. A year later the classic Lacoste polo was mass marketed to the fashion world. Since then, fashion has slowly evolved and made its presence into the sport of tennis. In recent years, Polo Ralph Lauren has taken an interest in sports and tennis in particular. As the official apparel sponsor of the US Open, all ball boys and girls, and on-court officials don the classic American luxury brand giving a fresh, fashionable vibe to the sport. Today, as the US Open continues into its first week of play, we are reminded of how far the sport has gone in terms of fashion.
US Open fashion revolutions of note:
1933 - The lovely Helen Jacobs takes Queens, NY by storm with her Bermuda shorts.
1949 - Arthur Ashe wins the U.S Open sporting short shorts and fashionable black-rimmed glasses.
1970 - US Open permits pastel colors after television viewers complain they canʼt tell players apart from their all-white outfits.
1987 - The birth of the tennis bracelet. Tennis legend Chris Evert loses her diamond-studded bracelet on the US Open court. Tiffany & Co and Bvlgari create their versions.
2002 - Serena Williams plays in her infamous tight and shiny black “catsuit” bodysuit.
2004 - Leopard-print makes a statement on the court. Bethanie Mattek sports the animal print outfits.
2007 - Current tennis superstar and fashion maven Maria Sharapova sports a Nike dress encrusted with 600 Swarovski crystals inspired by the Manhattan skyline.
Even though the US Open 2010 is only three days into its two week event, we are already seeing some great fashion being worn by some of the brightest and best superstars of the sport today.
Maria Sharapova in a sleek teal dress with ruffle hem.
Venus William in tennisʼs version of the LBD with frills.
Of course, no event can be considered fashionable if the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, Ms. Anna Wintour, herself is not in attendance.
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