Return of the tennis skirt, TikTok and Bella Hadid’s favourite new trend

The versatile, sporty garment is back in the spotlight

French sports brand Lacoste delivers a fashion forehand with its appliqued pleated pique tennis skirt. Dh680.54, www.net-a-porter.com. Photo: Lacoste

With its built-in shorts and handy pockets, the Grand Slam Tennis Skirt by Alo Yoga is a winner on and off the court. Dh325, www.aloyoga.com. Photo: Alo Yoga

The adidas Originals Tennis Luxe logo pleated skirt in off-white will take you from court to lunch in the swish of a racquet. Dh96.17, www.asos.com. Photo: adidas

New Look's black and white chequered mini tennis skirt is purely for serving up style off the court. Dh77.04, www.asos.com. Photo: New Look

This embroidered pique tennis skirt by Tory Burch Sport is perfectly minimalist to go with any accessories. Dh619.28, www.net-a-porter.com. Photo: Tory Burch

French label Patou’s take on the cross-seasonal style adds a belt and a heavier material to take you into autumn. Dh1,324, www.farfetch.com. Photo: Patou

Offline by Aerie's Real Me pleated wrap tennis skirt is perfect for staying cool on hot end-of-summer days. Dh70, www.americaneagle.ae. Photo: Aerie

Made from sustainable materials, the NikeCourt Dri-Fit Women's Tennis Skirt brings major fashion points into play. Dh349, www.nike.com. Photo: Nike

With its classic red stripes, this broderie anglaise tennis skirt by L’Etoile Sport is simplicity personified. $165, www.letoilesport.com. Photo: L'Etoile Sport

Tommy Hilfiger's wide pleated skirt from its Tommy Jeans label is an easy-to-style and classic take on the trend. Dh500, www.tommy.com. Photo: Tommy Jeans

With tennis season in full swing, it’s no surprise on-court style has made its way off the clay and on to the high street.

Blowing up on TikTok, with millions of videos showing how to wear the trend, the tennis skirt is having a major fashion moment, whether paired with a crop top and trainers for beat-the-heat summer style, or with boots and an oversized jumper as spiced pumpkin latte season looms into view.

Dubbed “tenniscore”, the look made up a huge part of the Miu Miu autumn/winter 2022 ready-to-wear presentation, as Miuccia Prada sent models down the runway in Wimbledon-inspired swishy skirts, from knee-length to super-mini.

Classic minimalists Tory Burch and Ralph Lauren have offered up their takes on the style for the coming season, while purists have long turned to French sports label Lacoste for their year-round pieces.

Scroll through the gallery above for 10 tennis skirts that serve up style on and off the court

Game, set and style match

Always one with her finger on the fashion pulse, Bella Hadid was spotted out for lunch in New York pairing a Lacoste tennis skirt with decidedly non-sporty but chic accessories that included a Goyard bag and vintage Dior sunglasses.

British singer Dua Lipa is another convert, taking to Instagram to showcase two different takes on the trend.

“Sad to miss Wimbledon this year,” she wrote alongside an image of herself wearing a tennis skirt in the season’s hottest colour, Barbie pink.

In another post, the singer showed off a punk take on the trend, in a pink and black pleated skirt paying sartorial homage to 2000s Avril Lavigne.

More recently, actress Hilary Duff, 34, was spotted buying takeaway food in Los Angeles in a white tennis skirt.

For those looking to keep their tennis skirts for sport only, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, has emerged as a trendsetter, thanks to the matching Poivre Blanc top and skirt she recently wore to meet British tennis champion Emma Raducanu.