There is no better time to be a girl who loves tennis than now. The grass is cut, the strawberries are out, and for two weeks the whole country falls a little in love with the game. It is the perfect moment to bring that magic to your daughter's own summer of play, whether she is heading to her first lesson or simply twirling around the garden.
Here is how to dress her for the season, the Ace & Grace way.
Begin with the whites
Nothing says the occasion quite like crisp tennis whites. Our Courtside Cream pieces are a soft, wearable take on the classic, designed to look the part without the harsh blue-white of adult sportswear. A white dress, or a white tank with matching shorts, is the foundation of her summer wardrobe, and it goes with absolutely everything.
There is a reason whites have endured on court for more than a century. They look clean and considered, they keep her cooler in the sun than darker shades, and they let the personality come from her, not her outfit. For a girl just falling for the game, there is something quietly special about dressing the way the players she watches on television do.
Worried about keeping them pristine? A cool wash, a prompt rinse after grass-court adventures and a spell drying in the fresh air will keep her whites looking their best all summer.
Add a little colour
Tradition is lovely, but so is personality. This is where Blush Pink and Powder Blue come in. A blush dress for the girl who loves a softer look, powder blue for something a touch cooler and calmer. Mix a white tank with blush shorts, or a blue dress with white socks, to keep things feeling fresh and let her choose the version of herself she wants to be on court.
Because our palette is built to work together, there are no wrong combinations, which means fewer morning negotiations and more time on court.
The dress that does it all
If the season had a single hero piece, it would be the Charlotte Dress. With its ball shorts that come in the dress, it carries her from the first rally of the morning to strawberries and cream in the afternoon, with nothing to adjust and nothing to think about. It is comfortable enough for hours of play and pretty enough that she will not want to take it off.
Finish the look
- A visor to shade her eyes and complete the look.
- Socks with a little detail at the cuff, for comfort through a long afternoon.
- A soft set of tennis balls for warming up, or for garden rallies between the real thing.
From the garden to the club
Every tennis story starts somewhere small. For most girls it begins not at a club but in the garden, on the drive, or at the park with a soft ball and a parent gamely lobbing it back. Dressing her properly for those first informal sessions matters more than you might think, because feeling the part is so often what turns a five-minute go into a genuine love of the game. By the time she is ready for a lesson or a club, she will already feel like she belongs there.
Whatever the weather
British summers being what they are, layers help. On cooler mornings a tank with full-length leggings, keep her warm without limiting movement. As the day heats up, switch to shorts and a tank. Breathable, four-way-stretch fabric does the hard work either way, moving with her and drying quickly if a sudden shower arrives, as it so often does.
Make a day of it
Half the joy of the season is the ritual around it. Pack a picnic, bring the strawberries, and let her play dressed for the part. Whether you are courtside at a club or set up on a blanket in the garden, the right kit turns an ordinary afternoon into a proper occasion, and the kind of summer memory she will hold on to.
A little something from us
To mark the season, we have a gift. Spend £150 or more in a single order before 12 July and a complimentary Ace & Grace visor is yours, available on the first 50 qualifying orders only. It is our way of saying thank you, and of sending her into her summer of tennis feeling every bit the part.
Questions parents ask
Can girls wear colours for tennis, or does it have to be white? Outside of certain clubs and tournaments with a whites rule, colour is absolutely fine. Check your club's dress code, but for lessons and casual play, blush and blue are a lovely way to show personality.
What is the best tennis outfit for a hot day? A breathable tank with ball shorts, plus a visor and cushioned socks. Light, cool and made to move.
