The enduring dialogue between sportswear and daily fashion finds a fresh voice with Tanya Taylor’s new capsule, 'Off Court.' This collection, inspired by tennis and golf, translates pleated skirts, polos, and optic-bright knits into polished urban wear. It’s a contemporary chapter in a long history where athleticism informs elegance, a narrative deeply woven into lingerie’s own evolution.
Consider the polo shirt, a centerpiece of Taylor’s line. Its lineage can be traced to René Lacoste’s 1920s tennis innovations, which prized freedom of movement—a principle that directly influenced the design of early sport corsetry and, later, the structured yet flexible foundations of mid-century brands like Warner’s. The pleated skirt, another staple, echoes the kinetic ease championed by designers such as Claire McCardell, whose 1940s ‘popover’ dress and separates advocated for practical femininity, indirectly liberating undergarments from rigid formality.
Taylor’s vision—to make sporty elements feel effortless for city life—resonates with this historical pivot. As activewear became socially acceptable for women, lingerie followed, shedding layers and incorporating stretch. 'Off Court' is not merely a style moment; it is a continuation of the century-long integration of athletic principles into a woman’s complete wardrobe, from the foundation out. The collection, produced in Portugal and China, launches online April 16th, with prices from $25 to $345.
Originally reported by WWD