Not long ago, you’d rarely hear the words ‘tennis’ and ‘fashion' in the same sentence. Tennis is a sport heavily regulated by strict etiquette and style codes while the very essence of fashion is freedom of expression and constant reinvention. Until recently, when it came to tennis, its impact on style off the court was none existent.
However, in the last 24 months, the tennis court has become fertile ground for some of the most defining fashion and streetwear collaborations of recent times. This, in turn, has brought tennis into the spotlight and birthed a new intrigue and demand for products and sneakers rooted in the sport. While many brands will attempt to stake their claim in this new surge of interest, few are better equipped to do so than OG tennis brand Lacoste.
Founded 86 years ago by French tennis player René Lacoste, the brand with the crocodile logo has been steadily translating tennis’ preppy, clean-cut aesthetic into everyday wear with its iconic polo shirts, elevated sportswear, and crisp white leather sneakers. The iconic crocodile logo has become a symbol of casual French elegance and rich savoir-faire both on and off the tennis court. Following a slew of impactful collaborations and with Louise Trotter now at the brand's creative helm, Lacoste is strongly positioned to draw on its sporting heritage and modernize it for a new generation of consumers.
One example of this modern take on heritage is the Court Slam sneaker, an elegant new kick that launched as part of Lacoste’s Fall/Winter 2019 collection. Based closely on the Tennis 91, a performance shoe that made its first appearance on the court in (you guessed it) 1991, the Court Slam modernizes the ‘90s kick by refining the lines of the upper and adding a chunkier sole. Adorning its leather and suede upper are ‘Lacoste’ embossed in gold on the lateral quarters and a tonal embossed crocodile on the heel.
While the Court Slam is more streamlined than it’s ‘90s counterpart, it continues to nod to its tennis heritage through details. For example, the perforated holes on the top of the toe were inspired by the grip on a racket’s handle. Colors, too, pay tribute to the sport’s roots with the collection’s hero model coming in all white with further colorways including all black and navy as well as white with pops of blue, green, or red – three classic court colors. With its modern lines and sporting details, the Court Slam strikes the perfect balance between tennis heritage and modern design.
The Court Slam retails for €109 for men and €100 for women. Cop them now at lacoste.com.
