Back to School
The Preppy Handbook
If ya didn’t read this in high school, ya gotta read it now. Lisa Birnbach started a trend by distilling a lifestyle into a how-to manual. She was Kardashian before The Kardashians…. $24.98
Kurt Geiger London Rainbow Purse
I am obsessed with this designer’s bags. The leather is so buttery, and the tweed ones are very Coco like. This one in rainbow patchwork is la piece de reisistance of the collection! $265
Leopard Print Tretorn Nylite2 Sneakers
Blend your inner animal with your inner preppy with this classic Tretorn style in a leopard print. $84.95
She Believed She Could So She Did Notebook
Make your New Year’s resolutions in this inspirational notebook with dot grid paper. Planning home decorating, organizing a tennis community service event, or making a shopping list? Do it in style! $13.99
Linea Paolo Mary Jane Flats
These edgy Mary Janes with a black strap are not from Buster Brown! Linea Paolo, comes in several color combinations, but I prefer the tan with black. $129.95
Jansport Rainbow Sparkle Back Pack
Jansport is the go-to brand for sturdy durable backpacks which come in a variety of styles and colors for every sensibility. $32,85 and free shipping
Friends are always asking, “What’s the best court shoe?” I have one piece of advice: are you a Ginger or a Mary Ann? Or the Professor or the Skipper? Choosing tennis shoes is a highly personal experience. You have to pick what feels comfortable, looks fashionable and makes you feel like a gazelle on the court. And when you find a shoe that works, stick with it! Find a source for tennis shoes with free shipping and returns, where you can try on a few pairs and return the ones that you don’t want.
New Balance Women’s 996
If you know New Balance, you know that all shoes have a style number on the tongue. This is the 996, a fashionable, reasonably-priced court shoes that comes in wild indigo (go crazy!), grey and white with orange accents. $89.95
Babolat Women’s Pro Pulse Fury
This Babolat shoe is built for durability and has a 6 month guarantee on the outer sole. It has a catchy side accent and comes in a white/teal or a sky blue/coral color combos. $110
K Swiss Men’s Hypercourt Express
A stylish and functional court shoe that comes in a variety of colors. $104.95
Nike Men’s Air Zoom Vapor X Tennis Shoes
Nike’s Air Zoom comes in a multitude of colors to match your mood each day of the week. It does not use unfriendly “sock” styling of other Nike shoes, including the Cage. $110
Wilson Women’s Rush Pro 3.0
Wilson makes a solid, inexpensive court shoe with a mesh upper for added breathability. In white with cashmere blue accents or fiery coral with cashmere blue accents. $99 with free shipping and returns.
Adidas Women’s Barricade Court Shoe
This white court shoe with red accents and sole will catch your opponent’s eye. This sold out on most tennis websites but available at Amazon.com. $119.95
Wimbledon Whites
Velvet by Graham & Spencer Gauze Sundress
Colorful topstitching accents this gauze dress with a fun tie back, which can double as a swim cover up. $178
Asics Gel Dedicate 5 Court Shoe
Asics is my go-to court shoe, and this one in white with a silver logo is perfect for playing at the All England Club. Starting at $49
White Umbrella
Perfect for keeping yourself out of the sun or rain when sitting on Henman Hill having a picnic between matches. $19.99
Lanzom Women Wide Brim Straw Panama Roll up Hat Fedora Beach Sun Hat UPF50+
This is the perfect hat for hopping across the pond to watch Wimbledon. It is pack-able because it rolls up and UPF50+ should the sun decide to shine on center court. A steal at $15.99 and free shipping.
Nike Tiered Tennis Skirt
A must-have for your all season tennis wardrobe. In Dri-Fit fabric and starting at $30.98.
Nike White Visor
Although you won’t need to keep the sun away with the often gloomy Wimbledon weather, this visor is a perfect year ’round staple. $19.99
Men’s Nike Dri-Fit Polo Shirt
A perfect shirt for the tennis clubs that require all white on the court. It also comes in a bunch of other colors. Starting at $32.87
French Open Outfits and Items
Nike Court Mesh Tank Top
This breathable top is also fun and stylish with its cropped fit and stripe trim. Comes in lilac, the color de rigueur, as well as a faded black shade. $55
Nike Toile Cropped Pullover
A pullover with an interestingly draped, cropped front in a crazy skeleton-playing-tennis toile print. Also comes in the reverse, black outline on a white field sporting the Nike blaze in a dri-fit fabric. $80
French County Kitchen Canisters
Amazon.com has a large assortment of French style kitchen canisters to bring the espirit de France into your kitchen. Store your power bars, nuts and dried fruit in them. I like these earthenware kitchen canisters in classic black and white. $35.71
Nike Air Zoom Cage 3 Court Shoes
Who wouldn’t want to own a pair of lavender court shoes? These Nike Cage third generation are outfitted in the *it* color of Nike’s French Open wardrobe, lilac with a sporty black accent. And as an added bonus, the interface of the shoe is Nike’s new floral print design. $130
Nike Women’s Court Toile Tank
If you ever thought you couldn’t wear your tennis clothes to a Pfish concert, think again! Louis XIV skeletons playing tennis on a white field is this summer’s concert t-shirt! Only $30
Nike Men’s Toile Court Pique Polo
The Grateful Dead meet Marie Antoinette on the tennis court on this toile print on a classic pique polo shirt. Run, don’t walk, to buy this shirt that is sure to turn heads! $55
Nike Court Victory Tennis Skirt
Nike recast its Court Victory Tennis skirt in a soft lavender for the French Open. The skirt is flattering on the court and off. It also comes in black and royal blue. $70
Pierre Deux’s French Country: A Style and Source Book
Pierre Deux made French interior style accessible in the United States in the late ’80s, and this “vintage” source book provides hundreds of ideas of how to bring the French countryside to Peoria, Pittsburgh, Punxsutawney, or wherever you live. $42
Tennis Tournament Watching
Hydro Flask 24 oz Water Bottle
Stainless steel 24 oz. water bottle in multiple colors. Leak proof. $34.95
“LBTS” – Little Black Tennis Skirt
The easiest item to wear while you’re tennis tournament watching is, of course, the tennis version of the LBD, the LBTS. This “flip tier” one from Lucky in Love easily pairs with any of the fun Lucky in Love tops. Also comes in white. $64
Avon Skin So Soft
A spray to keep the bugs away, whether you’re near the court or on the court in the summer evenings. Folks swear by this product! $22.99
Love Game: A History of Tennis…
…from Victorian Pastime to Global Phenomenon. By Elizabeth Wilson. From the corset wearing elite to the global, celebrity phenomenon which tennis has become. $20.67
Huge Water Jug
A 7 gallon water container that can supply the travel tennis team with water for a match. $14.97
Ame and Lulu Tennis Bag
This “Love” bag will hold all of what you need for tennis watching or tennis playing, including books, racquets, balls, sunscreen and water. $136
Black or White Tennis Skirt
Another Lucky in Love basic for tennis watching, whether at a tournament or on your back deck. This scallop tennis skirt comes in black or white. $56
Cloudy Sky Umbrella
I needed an umbrella this tournament weekend for both shade from the sun and protection from the drizzle! In a bright, fun sky print which collapses easy for travel. $22.95
Avon Skin So Soft Bug Repellent with SPF 30
Avon developed an expedition-quality bug repellent that lasts for 8 hours and contains SPF 30. 2 bottles for $19.39
The Tennis Parents Bible, Second Edition
By Frank Giampaolo. Required reading material for any parent or coach of a junior tennis star. Packed with over 400 pages of sage advice. $39.99
Laroche Posay SPF 60 Sunscreen
Laroche Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 60. An Amazon favorite. $29.99
Parisian Chic
My Junior Tennis Star and I traveled to Paris in April. Before our trip I crafted my dream packing list with some of my favorite items from French designers. We had the bonne chance to visit the Isabel Marant store in the Marai district *sigh*! Now I bring you some of the latest styles that the Parisian women are wearing. These are six items/styles/trends that we consistently saw in Paris that are a must for your spring/summer wardrobe: (1) round sunglasses; (2) tennis shoes (no surprise there if you’ve been reading this blog – see other postings in the Pro Shop); (3) trench coats; (4) midi-skirts; (5) scarves around the neck; and (5) cross-body bags. Parisians do chic better than anyone else!
Chloe Scalloped Rimless Sunglasses
Of course I had to include something by Chloe! I can just picture Janis Joplin wearing these specs! $390
BP Round Gradient Sunglasses
This style from BP, with a tortoise trim, is oh so perfect for le printemps! The are sooooo similar to the ones from Prada! $16
Something Navy Trench Coat
A classic style in a non-classic color. This trench coat from Something Navy comes in a bright marigold sure to turn heads. Also comes in black. $189.
1901 Classic Trench Coat
A classic trench coat in a classic shade of tan that won’t break the bank (or banque, as the French say!) $129
Topshop Tie Dyed Midi Skirt
I love the riot of color in this boho yet tailored midi skirt. I would partner this with a leather moto jacket in black or an off-shade. $75
Madewell Patio Button Front Midi Skirt
This cotton-blend midi skirt is perfect for tennis watching! Pairs with tennis shoes or sandals. Shown in tungsten glow, and comes in pink and olive shades. $88
Tissue Weight Plain Wool and Cashmere Scarf
This classic silk/wool blend in solid colors is sure to please everyone. Shown here in sunny yellow, which keeps showing up in the Spring runways. It comes in 12 spring happy shades. $98
Burberry Stone Check Wool and Silk Scarf
A classic Burberry check scarf in a silk wool gauzy blend for those rainy days in April. The Parisians love Burberry! This comes in three subtle, classic prints. $390
Mali + Lili Rattan Circular Cross-Body Bag
This rattan cross-body bag is poppin’ up everywhere. It pairs equally well with a classic, tailored style and a flowy, boho sensibility. It comes in black, espresso and creme to fit your wardrobe theme. $74.
Longchamp Le Pilage Neo Crossbody Bag
The cross-body bag is de rigeur! This one from the former French saddlery is a wonderful compromise for the original styled Le Pilage which you had to hold in your hand. The cross-body means “hands free” and is perfect for travel! It comes in black and navy. $110.