Here’s how you can look like a million dollars on the court.
Are tennis players better dressed than squash players?
If you have to think about the answer, all you have to do is look at online images of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Gregory Gaultier, and Ramy Ashour.
It can’t be the money.
Clearly, professional tennis players – or their handlers – seem to spend more time picking the right accessories to ensure a coordinated look on the court. Sure, tennis clothing sponsors help!
So how important is a coordinated look to your game?
Not at all.
But, it does not hurt to be the best-dressed Squash or Tennis player in the house!
Shirts and tops
So here are a few things to consider when you invest in tennis or squash gear.
When it comes to shirts, the younger players are going neon.
If you are unsure whether you can carry it off, check out this post by Liam Mannix titled Nike designs fluoro range for male tennis stars.
Apart from Serena Williams, the women players appear to be slow to adopt the fluoro look.
Shorts & Skirts
In the world of tennis and squash, shorts have gotten longer.
While the shirts have gone neon, the shorts continue to be largely white, black, red, or blue. Skirts, on the other hand, have become marginally shorter when compared to a few years ago. Not surprisingly, they are often sold by the length of the skirt. Here’s a sample from Tennis Warehouse. Matching a top to a pair of shorts or a skirt should not be difficult to do.
Racquets
This is the most expensive piece of equipment for both tennis and squash players.
Picking a racquet based on its colour would be like betting on a horse based on its name! If you have a favourite racquet, it may be worth checking to see if the manufacturer offers options in terms of the colour of the frame.
Grip
This is an easy one to fix.
Players rightfully pay attention to the type of grip that they use, but largely ignore its colour. A red frame with a bright blue grip will do the job but is certainly not aesthetically pleasing. Grips come in a multitude of colours. Pick one that works with the colour of your racquet frame.
Shoes
Court shoes are not cheap.
Most players that I know don’t own more than one or two pairs of shoes. One for tennis and another one for squash is the norm. With court shoes becoming more and more colourful, matching them up with the rest of your outfit may become a challenge. If your shoes are largely neutral – black, white, grey, etc. – you may be able to use colourful laces to create a look that is closer to the rest of your gear.
Socks
This is another easy one to fix.
If you are wearing bright blue socks with red shoes, make sure that the rest of your ensemble follows suit. At the very least, you can pick wristbands or headbands that bring it all together.
Hats and Visors
This one is for tennis players.
Hats and visors are popular with female players and come in various shapes, colours, and patterns. Hats act as sunshades, make a fashion statement, and help hold your hair in place. Pick a couple that matches your favourite tennis outfits and you are off to a good start.
Headband
Tied headbands are in and the slip-on ones are passé.
If you wear a headband when you play, you may want to consider buying a couple that matches your shirt, shorts, or skirt.
Wrist band
Wristbands come in all colours and sizes.
Wristbands can easily be matched up with your headband, shirt, shorts, or racquet grip. You can also buy multi-coloured wristbands that enable you to mix and match when needed.
Protective glasses
This applies to squash players who are smart enough to wear protective glasses on the court.
Your favourite pair of glasses may not come with a bright yellow neon frame to match your shirt. You can always go with a neutral shade to ensure that it blends in with any outfit that you choose to wear on the court.
Bag
This one is a nice-to-have.
Like everything else, discussed above, colour is lower down on the list of features for people looking for a squash or tennis bag. If you are planning to invest in a new bag, you may want to add “colour” to the list of features that you want it to have.
So there you have it.
At the end of the day, what makes you feel good and comfortable is what you should wear. Contrasting colours may be your thing. After all, it is about the game and not the clothes, or the accessories.
Unless you are a tennis player!
