The prestigious Wimbledon tennis tournament that is currently under way in England is known for its strict dress code: the players are required to dress in all white. But Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova is looking to set her own fashion trend at Wimbledonâ€"she wore a Nike-designed tuxedo vest.
“I love men's wear in general,†Sharapova said. “I love tuxedo jackets.â€
The 2004 women's single champion played the match in a Nike sleeveless top with a tuxedo-style bib front and the Nike swoosh in gold on the frontal, upper left side of the bib.
Sharapova also wore shortsâ€"the first time the 6-foot-2 player has done so in a Grand Slam tournament. But not just any old shorts: Sharapova wore white shorts that fit low on the hips with a wide-tailored waistband, pin stripe-effect and gold-stitched buttons.
Maria looks good in that attire which in the conservative, sponsor-conscious tennis circles might be considered to be a little risque. As a tennis fan, I know that there aren't many women in the sport who'd dare to venture out into Wimbledon's Court One wearing shorts. Except, off course, for Serena Williams who will wear a suit of armor and f*ck me knee-high stiletto boots to a match if they'd allow her.
Wimbledon Fashion
Maria Sharapova's Tennis Tuxedo
Trend Themes
1. Athletic Tuxedo Trend - The trend of incorporating tuxedo-style elements into athletic wear, as seen in Maria Sharapova's Wimbledon outfit, presents an opportunity for sportswear designers to disrupt the market by combining formal and casual elements.
2. Female Athlete Fashion - With Maria Sharapova's Wimbledon outfit and Serena Williams' bold fashion choices, there is a growing trend in female athlete fashion, creating opportunities for designers to break away from traditional athletic wear and incorporate fashion-forward elements into it.
3. Disruptive Tennis Uniforms - As athletes push the boundaries of traditional tennis dress codes, there is an opportunity for innovative and disruptive designers to create new tennis uniform styles that challenge norms and are still functional for gameplay.
Industry Implications
1. Sportswear - The trend of incorporating formal elements into athletic wear creates opportunities for sportswear companies to push boundaries and expand their product lines.
2. Fashion - The trend in female athlete fashion presents opportunities for fashion designers to partner with athletic wear brands and create functional yet fashionable clothes for female athletes.
3. Athletics - With the growing trend of disruptive tennis uniforms and bold fashion choices by athletes, there is an opportunity for athletic associations to revisit dress codes and allow for more creative expression in sportswear.