Tennis is a sport that at least here in Toronto is approved to do during Covid times. I don’t play, but I sure do love the outfits! Cute Tennis skirts are even making their way off the court into modern day clothing as currently trending on Pinterest. Now I don’t post modern clothing here (unless it’s vintage reproduction), but I thought it would be fun to see what Tennis Outfits looked like from the 1920s-1950s.

Grab your racket and let the sportswear fashion show begin!

Source: Etsy

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Vintage Tennis Outfits from the 1920’s-1950’s

Vintage Images & Sewing Patterns

Vintage Shopping: I have created an Etsy Collection called “VINTAGE TENNIS” that features more sewing patterns, fashions & inspiration not featured below (updated monthly-feb 2023)

1920’s Tennis Fashions

Vintage Flapper Sewing Pattern for a Ladies’ 1920’s Blazer Sport Jacket. So very Chic! You would be the most stylish on the court.

Source: Etsy

Cute alert! Love this 1920’s photo of a young woman holding a Tennis racket in her sportswear outfit posing for a picture with her mother (I’m assuming).

Source: Etsy

1920’s Women’s Sportswear. Suzanne Lenglen, Julie Vlasto 1926 in 1920s tennis outfits. Love the scarves in their hair.

Source: Fascination Street Vintage

1930’s Tennis Fashions

1930s Tennis outfit fashion spread as seen in a Harpers Bazaar Magazine. 

Source: Etsy

1930’s sewing pattern illustration for tennis shorts, blouse and hairscarf. The blouse can also be worn with a long skirt. So pretty!

Source: Etsy

1939 knitting pattern for a ladies tennis sports set which includes: a dress (with belt), playsuit/all-in-one, cardigan and socks. Perfect outfit for when the weather starts to cool off.

Source: Etsy

I’m a big fan of multi functional outfits, just like the vintage 1930’s sewing pattern below. Head to the tennis court in style with blouse and shorts and an overskirt. Take the longer skirt off and BAM! time to play the game.

Source: Etsy

1932 Vintage Photo of 2 women smoking on the court. Both ladies are wearing what looks like 1930’s swimsuits.

Source: Pinterest

1940’s Tennis Fashions

Cute vintage 1940’s Simplicity sewing pattern to make a “Misses’ and Women’s blouse and jumper or tennis dress. The detail on this illustration is wonderful! Check out the bracelet on our model to the left? Just the fact that there is even that detail at all is awesome.

Source: Etsy

Rita Hayworth playing Tennis in 1940 in an adorable one piece tennis dress (playsuit).

Source: Pinterest

1940’s photo by Tennie Harris of a cute Woman, Vivian V. Clayton, wearing two-pieceTtennis outfit, standing on Tennis court holding the ball and racket.

Source: Carniege Museum of Art

1940’s sewing pattern for Women’s Tennis outfit-Blouse & Shorts.

Source: Etsy

Women’s Tennis Class 1940. Vintage photo of Students in their Tennis outfits and jackets. Great form!

Source: Flickr

1950’s Tennis Fashions

1950’s sewing pattern for a 2 Pc. Tennis uutfit. Full Skirt, Blouse and Shorts. Love the full skirt that is shorter Tennis skirt!

Source: Etsy

1950’s photo of a young Black woman sitting on a bench in her Tennis gear in Oakland, California. I love her casual but really cool look!

Source: Tumblr

1950’s Drawing of 2 women taking a break from Tennis to have some drama over a man. Drawing is from 1953. I love the romper on the left on the lovely Iris.

Source: Fine Art America

1956 photo of a young woman posing in front of her house in her shorts & blouse Tennis outfit.

Source: Etsy – DearMacyVintage

1950’s Weldons sewing pattern for a Tennis Dress and Briefs.

Source: Etsy

1950s Photo of “Tennis in the Bahamas, 1957.” Photo: Slim Aarons. What a cool hat on the lady on the right! Super example of the short & blouse and tennis dress that has been seen in the sewing patterns above.

Source: Pinterest

May 19th, 2022 update: I just saw ‘Downtown Abbey: A New Era’ last night in the movie theatres and the 1928 fashions were STUNNING! Especially the sportswear styles like the Tennis clothes pictured below. How fantastic does our Downtown family look?

Source: W Magazine

Question Time: What was your favorite Era for Tennis Outfits? Mine was the 1930s (those outfits are just darn cute!). Share your favs in the comment section below.

Follow up Reading from ‘Nylon Nostalgia“: The tennis player who dared to wear ruffled frilly panties at Wimbledon It’s a fascinating read! so don’t miss it!

And check out my blog post on Jinx Falkenburg-1930s and 1940s “Did It All” Girl, Tennis star and movie star!

Liz