Let’s continue our 2020 Fashion Retrospections with Coco Gauff and her New Balance gear.
Gauff’s season started in Auckland, followed by the Australian Open, where she debuted the New Balance AO Print Rally Skort, featuring mesh pockets on the shorts, and a matching tank.
In doubles, Gauff sported separates from the Spring 2020 collection: the New Balance AO Tournament Tank and New Balance AO Tournament Skirt.
The color of the tank is officially called lemon slush to reflect the energy of the Australian tennis summer. The tank features split racerback with keyhole cutout, curved hem, and a mesh lining to highlight the waist. The skirt has all-over mesh pinholes and side vents for freedom of movement.
One of the best 2020 tennis shoe models are Gauff’s New Balance 996v4s that the American personalized during the Australian Open to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant.
In time for Indian Wells and Miami, New Balance revealed a collection similar to the Australian Open one, only in orange/grey palette, plus the FuelCell 996v4 shoe that combines colors moon dust and ginger pink. The tournaments were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but Gauff wore the clothes when the WTA Tour resumed, at the Top Seed Open in Lexington in August.
At the Western & Southern Open, Gauff introduced the Fall Print Tournament Tank, which features criss-cross elastic straps and frame-like red lines that contrast the all-over print, and the perforated Fall Print Tournament Skirt. At closer look, you can see that the print features small squares and tennis balls. Here you can read more about this collection.
The 16-year-old Gauff was honored with a custom outfit at the US Open — a striking red tank with asymmetrical neckline and a matching printed skirt.
At the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Gauff sported the New Balance Printed Tournament Tank and Tournament Skort. The outfit combines colors eclipse and bali blue. Her New Balance WC 996v4 shoes were also in bali blue.
At Roland Garros and the Ostrava Open, her final tournament this year, Gauff rocked another custom look, this time in the color eclipse. As you can see, the design is very similar to her red US Open outfit.
At the end of the tennis season, Gauff wore the grey/flame version of the the ultra-light 996v4.
I’ve been writing about women’s tennis apparel for more than a decade and I can safely say that New Balance has never had a fashion fail. They always stick to simple and sporty looks, but they make them stand out with subtle details, innovative fabrics and appealing cuts (such as unique racerback designs, rounded hems).
That being said, I like all Coco’s 2020 outfits. If I had to pick my favorite, it would be the one she wore at the Western & Southern Open. What do you think about New Balance gear and Coco’s 2020 fashion? Tell me in the comments below!
Always liked New Balance. Hey, it’s the tennis shoe I wear..it’s the only shoe out there that has extra wide widths. The kits are usually classic in style, and I really like the look..very professional.
Jim, I agree, the kits are classic in style, but also very modern and youthful.
I think the New Balance stuff is always pretty boring. Don’t mind the asymmetrical neckline on the red and dark blue tops though. Too plain otherwise.
CLT, I don’t think they’re boring at all. They have very nice details and textures.
I really like these outfits and they looked great on Coco!
I also like the fact that she sticks with something different. I hope she won’t end up with Nike like everyone else (because let’s face it : if they are not already after her, they probably will once Serena is gone…)
Gin, you’re right, Nike will probably strive to get Coco. So many players are sponsored by Nike now, it’s boring. Years ago there was more variety in tennis apparel brands among top players.