Serena Williams' outfit yesterday "stole the show" during her first-round match at Wimbledon, as she "emerged in a high-collared dress with a tight bodice that flowed into a pleated skirt," according to Chris Chase of FOXSPORTS.com. Williams' look was a "nice coup for Nike, which entered Wimbledon with the embarrassment of having to adjust its other dress, one that will be worn by more than a dozen players and will be sold at retail." Williams' outfit was "introduced to near unanimous praise on Twitter." Chase: "She looked like a boss. And she knew it" (FOXSPORTS.com, 6/28). In N.Y., Ben Rothenberg writes instead of the typical outfits Nike "offers most players who are paid to wear its apparel, the company issued a loosely hanging, short dress" for Wimbledon. Several players said that the dress "was not exactly ideal for competitive tennis." Rebecca Peterson "played with a long-sleeved shirt over her dress to hold the dress somewhat in place," while Katie Boulter "improvised by tying a headband around her waist to serve as a belt." Aside from the "mandatory fixes made to the dress, Nike also offered its players the option of wearing a more traditional skirt and top combination." There were several takers, including Daria Kasatkina, Sabine Lisicki and Samantha Crawford. But Maria Sakkari "raved about the dress," while Eugenie Bouchard "defended the design." Williams was "not affected by the dress design" as Nike "provides unique outfits for her" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/29).
HIGH FASION: In London, Victoria Moss writes pleats and frills "feature fairly heavily in this season's Wimbledon attire, across all courts." Lacoste, which will outfit Christina McHale and Elena Vesnina, "opted for pleated skirts, which nod as much to current trends as to classic preppy tennis style." Meanwhile, Caroline Wozniacki and Garbiñe Muguruza wore the "cool, modern-looking adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade collection, which features laser-cut mesh fabric in zones that require 'superior breathability,' as well as technology to help regulate players' temperature." Brands will "work closely with players to develop outfits they feel happy in, but these pieces will be sold widely off the back of their popularity and appearances." The "element of picture appeal matters almost as much as the technical innovations of fabrics and fit" (London TELEGRAPH, 6/29).
