There is no shortage of spectacular tennis fashion at the 2017 Australian Open and the best thing is that there is no uniformity, as leading sports apparel companies have taken up very different routes with some going for outstanding prints, some playing with layers and laser-cuts, and some indulging in updated retro fashion. Let’s open Women’s Tennis Blog’s eighth consecutive year of Grand Slam fashion overviews!
When I first saw Serena Williams‘ Australian Open dress, I immediately named it the Piano Dress, obviously because of the print at the back, but later I read somewhere that the black and white pattern is inspired by the shadows cast on a tennis court. The Nike Spring Premier Power Dress, as it’s actually called, has a slightly sheer body, with solid panels at the bust and upper back.
At last year’s Australian Open Serena stole the show with her yellow crop top and pleated skirt, while this time Canadian Eugenie Bouchard continued the trend, only that her Nike Spring Premier Crop Top features elongated sleeves and her printed Nike Spring Print Power Spin Skirt, which comes in two lengths, closely follows the shape of the hips, stretching as the Canadian covers the court.
Genie’s shoes of choice are the Nike Air Zoom Ultra React in orange/black/volt.
We all know that crop tops are not for everyone, so for those who don’t like to show off their bellybutton we have the Nike Spring Premier Slam Tank as seen here on France’s Caroline Garcia.
Simona Halep‘s short Melbourne appearance was sporty chic, as the Romanian paired her flowy ocean blue Adidas Melbourne Tank with navy shorts whose orange binding matches the top’s spaghetti straps.
Defending champion and world number one Angelique Kerber also rocks the layered tank from new Adidas’ collection inspired by the Melbourne environment and combines it with the orange Adidas Melbourne Skirt, whose built-in compression shorts have a sun bleached graphic as a reflection of the host city’s ever-present heat. Adidas created the Adizero Ubersonic 2 shoes to increase Kerber’s chances of winning another Grand Slam title.
France’s Kristina Mladenovic presents the Adidas Melbourne Dress, whose main promoter would’ve been Ana Ivanovic, had the Serb not retired.
Garbine Muguruza showcases this Adidas Spring Stella McCartney Dress, a perfect blend of an athletic silhouette and femininity. The top tightly hugs the body, while its front zipper allows for easy on and off and its back mesh panel provides the much needed ventilation. The skirt’s design gives this dress feminine flair.
The Spaniard also rocks the bright yellow Adidas Spring Stella McCartney Long Sleeve Top, which features Climalite moisture management, and completes her look with the Adidas Stella Barricade 2017 shoes.
As I mentioned in my Stella McCartney fashion preview for AO17, this is the first tournament Caroline Wozniacki has not worn a dress, ever since becoming the face of Stella’s Adidas back in 2010. The Dane’s first ever separates are all about blues, while the style is similar to Garbi’s sporty femininity. The form-fitting seamless Adidas Spring Stella McCartney Barricade Tank has moisture-wicking properties, while the perforated Adidas Spring Stella McCartney Skirt combines a feminine silhouette with cooling Climalite technology.
Caro’s footwork is taken to the next level with the Adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Boost 2017 shoe.
Venus Williams launched her Thika collection, whose lovely purple print reminds me of tropical sunsets with the lines representing sunrays. My favorite item from the collection is the Competitor Dress, as I like the balance created by the simple white top and wide waistband. With her bold eyeliner and printed Thika Visor accessorizing the look, the American also showcased the EleVen Thika Center Stage Top and the EleVen Thika Flutter 13″ Skirt. This is my favorite EleVen print of all time! Good job, V!
If you’re a regular at Women’s Tennis Blog, you know that Fila created two lines for their athletes’ Australian Open campaigns. Karolina Pliskova and Jelena Jankovic are clad in the Heritage collection that’s all about a simple color palette that pays homage to the company’s original aesthetic with timeless designs. JJ looks so awesomely retro in the Heritage Polo Dress, doesn’t she?
Other Fila representatives like Yaroslava Shvedova and Irina-Camelia Begu showcase the Sleek Streak collection, characterized by noveaux tie-dye print, color-blocking and glimmer-sheen finishes.
Lacoste opened the 2017 season with their best ever tennis collection that I wrote about in early January. It’s stunning when designers manage to create a totally different look by making just subtle changes that can’t even be pinpointed.
Lacoste’s new collection absolutely stays true to the company’s traditional aesthetic that has exclusively nurtured navy, white and red/orange tones for years, never departing from classic sporty cuts. Yet, the new clothes have some refreshing feel about them, especially the gorgeous Lacoste Spring Player Dress worn by Dominika Cibulkova and Alize Cornet. Adorbz!
The world number six Cibulkova matches her Lacoste dress with the Nike Zoom Vapor 9.5 Tour shoes.
Agnieszka Radwanska sports the Nixia III Dress from Lotto‘s SS17 tennis tech collection, just as at the tournaments leading up to the Australian Open. The dress features ventilating mesh in the back and the flouncy skirt. Aga has the Lotto Stratosphere II shoes for the Melbourne hardcourts, which I presented in more detail in my AO Lotto outfit unveiling post.
British Heather Watson rocks the jewel multi version of the New Balance Yarra Tank, including stylish slit openings along armholes and contrast mesh panel at back, and the yellow lightweight New Balance Tournament Skort featuring printed shorts. American Nicole Gibbs is in the same kit, only that her tank is pink and skort white. The 996v3 shoes are providing a stable base for the ladies’ feet.
Asics‘ Johanna Konta and Daria Gavrilova are continuing to nurture a simple and sporty look with an athletic navy tank and blue pleated skirt. The freshly-crowned Sydney champion Konta wears the new Asics Gel Resolution 7 shoes that are updated from the previous model for increased comfort, support and flexibility.
Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig looks lovely as always in her classic Ellesse dress. The item doesn’t differ much from the Puerto Rican’s previous dresses, but that doesn’t matter since the design suits her to perfection. Traditionally my favorite part of the outfit is the hair tie that gives a nice retro touch to young Monica!
Svetlana Kuznetsova‘s clothing sponsor Qiaodan has introduced laser-cut details in the skirt, Stella McCartney’s signature feature, producing probably the best outfit since the beginning of the partnership with the Russian Grand Slam champion.
Barbora Strycova wears a simple Sergio Tacchini dress.
Belinda Bencic is in a blue and pink printed combo by Yonex.
Mona Barthel‘s pink and white outfit is from the brand called Bidu Badu.
Bethanie Mattek Sands‘ is traditionally colorful and there’s no matching in sight, but the American can go away with it. This is even one of her more subtle looks, if we compare it to her most memorable outfits.
Indian Sania Mirza opted for a pink SM dress, using the opportunity to showcase her newly-launched line of tennis clothing.
Last but not least, Germany’s Laura Siegemund is in Tonic by Martina Hingis “colorfalls”.
Now that you’ve seen the WTA fashions gracing the courts of the 2017 Australian Open, tell me your favorites in the comments! There are so many outstanding designs in Melbourne, but if I had to pick just one, it would be the Lacoste Spring Player Dress.
VIDEO: Enjoy my Australian Open 2017 video fashion overview! I’m working on improving my video editing skills 🙂
I love lacoste’s apparel! It’s Pretty and sporty. I also like Garbine&Serena ‘s dresses.
Good job for Adidas with kerber and mladenovic.I Don’t like the blue shorts paired by Simona. Venus apparel is beautiful as usual.
I Don’t like yonex ,qiaodang and tacchini.
Average dresses the separates by Nike,tonic, fila and lotto.
I love the vintage touch of fila’s heritage and ellesse
I love every one of them. It’s been such an amazing tournament both tennis wise as well as fashion wise. My absolutely fav dress is Venus outfit ( i thought it would be lacoste but Vee did it again) . I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised with Yonex outfit for belinda. I think they are doing good job with her unlike what they did for dementieva. Caro’s outfit looked too good as well
Really like the Adidas lines for this tournament. Always love blue against the blue courts! Overall I think that the fashion has been top notch so far- a good start to the year. Hopefully the tennis continues to follow suit!
I wonder why Simona used a short rather than the matching skirt, but it looks good though. It’s a shame the adizero dress don’t get much action on TV since Kiki lost in the first round. Overall I like Adidas and Fila. Fila creates a classic and sporty outfits and Adidas always innovates and very refreshing.
I’m curious to hear what others think of Serena wearing tights and turning the dress basically into a tunic. I really like it!
Serena hands down is best dressed, with or without the tights. Her whole look from the black shoes, the hair, she has an amazingly striking look.
Venus in her competitor dress is the next best.
My favourite has to be the adidas by Stella McCartney Spring dress worn by Garbine Muguruza – the shape just looks so flattering. I think I might have to get it for myself….
My favoureties are Munguruza and Mladenovic dresse. I think the worst dressed are Siegemund and Mattek Sands. I also love all nike colection (special Maria dress).