So I’ve been obsessed with vintage tennis looks lately – those crisp polo shirts, pleated skirts, retro stripes. Wanted to build my own collection without breaking the bank. Figured I’d share how I hunted down the good stuff.
Starting the deep dive
First thing I did? Went down the Instagram rabbit hole. Scrolled through hashtags like #vintagetennis and #retrotennisfashion for hours. Saved every outfit that made me go “ooh!” Noticed certain brands kept popping up again and again. Screenshotted all the tags on those polos and dresses.
Then hit up eBay like a madwoman. Searched “deadstock tennis skirt” and filtered to vintage condition. Sorted by newly listed and checked every morning with my coffee. Found this mint green Sergio Tacchini track jacket at 3am – bid immediately and won it for $28. Score!
The brand trial phase
Bought small lots first to test quality. Grabbed three Fila polos from different sellers. Two were perfect heavyweight cotton, one had pit stains (lesson learned: always ask for armpit close-ups). Fila’s collars hold up crazy well though.
Tried Ellesse next. Those iconic logos? Tricky to find intact. Bought a shorts set where the elastic waistband disintegrated when I touched it. Total bummer. Now I only grab their jackets – those materials last forever.
Scored two Lacoste polos at a flea market. Guy had no clue what he had – paid $15 for both! The crocodiles were slightly crooked (factory defects I think) but that’s part of the charm.
My top picks after testing
Here’s what actually holds up decades later:
- Adidas originals: Their terry cloth tracksuits – indestructible. Found a baby blue set from 1987. Wore it 10 times already and zero pilling.
- Diadora: Elastic waistbands still snap back like new. Their colorblock pieces fade evenly too – no weird blotches.
- Fred Perry laurels: Shirts feel like cardboard at first but soften beautifully. Best collars for that stiff 70s look.
Final collections tips
Stick with dark socks when trying on white pleated skirts – learned that after leaving pink lint on a pristine one. Always sniff-test pit areas before buying online. And check those tiny size tags! Vintage sizes run crazy small. My biggest score? A Kappa romper that somehow fit perfectly. Just gotta hunt like it’s your job.