Comfort of the Cotton Tennis Shirt
The tennis shirt, a t-shaped shirt with a collar, was originally made from cotton fiber. With changing times, trends, and fashions, the tennis shirt is now created from different man-made fibers as well. A typical cotton tennis shirt has a small slit below the collar with two or three buttons, slits on either side at the bottom and a pocket (optional). A cotton tennis shirt is usually made from pique cotton or twilled cotton.
The tennis shirt originated in the twentieth century, when Rene Lacoste, a seven-time tennis Grand Slam winner, thought of bringing changes in tennis apparel. In those days tennis players wore starched long sleeved shirts, pants and ties. This attire, without a doubt, restricted the players’ movements considerably. The discomfort that he and other tennis players faced during his playing days led Lacoste to start his line of Lacoste tennis shirts. The original design comprised a loose non-starched pique cotton shirt with side slits at the bottom, and a collar. The shirt-tail at the back was generally longer, known as “tennis tail”. The collar was thicker than the shirt, so that it could be upturned to protect the neck from the sun.
The present day tennis shirt may have undergone many changes in style, but the originality of the Lacoste design has always been in fashion. Not only is the original style worn by sportsperson, but people of both sexes wear it as a casual wear too. It also forms part of the uniform of certain commercial establishments, where formal attire is not required. The Lacoste style cotton tennis shirts can be seen on employees running supermarkets with company logos printed on them.
The cotton tennis shirt is also worn by sportspersons from different disciplines. Polo is a sport that has adopted the tennis shirt. Golf caddies and retired sportspersons still prefer wearing this comfortable wear. Junior government officials in China wear the tennis shirt as standard business wear. Many schools around the globe have the tennis shirt as part of the school children’s uniform.
The cotton tennis shirt is an evergreen apparel that has continued to rock generations in the past, and will continue its run of popularity among the future generations.