TennisIDENTITY

For those Perennially Pink, Freshness for Your Tennis Game.

Pink, the color of cotton candy, peonies and bubble gum, in all variations is much loved in women's tennis apparel. With its feminine feel and ever flattering tone, built into performance wear it says girl power like nothing else. No matter what the street fashion barometer the color is on court in a wide variety of hues, as solid or accent, especially in team wear. Fall 2010 is no exception.

Bolle's high performance fall Pink Fusion line (above) is hitting stores now with this perennial favorite, a bold,energetic version contrasted with a very bright white.Take note: the high performance group is closer fitting than the company's more fashion oriented tennis line. I like the silhouette carving lines on the dress (racer back and built in bra) and the surprise pop of white in the pleats of the skort. Pretty. A fresh 22 possibilities in the group for getting your pink on.

adidas has a new Barricade 6.0 out  in a pink they call Beauty, $109.00. This shoe is said to run a bit big so order a half size down. Narrow feet do not do well in this shoe.

Also in hot pink is the Roxy Team Competition Dress, a slimming solid color line that forgives a less than perfect mid section with a hip sitting gathered waistline, $60. 

Grab the headband to go with it, $10.

adidas has pink in their adilibria fall collection as well. This one is called radiant pink -- see below right. The cap-sleeve top is feminine yet totally performance oriented. Look for it on Ana Ivanovic in the coming months.  

Nike has a big line of pink (Voltage Cherry) out as well for fall. Pictured left is the Women's Fall Accuracy Top with 3/4 sleeves, perfect for a chillier day.

Team the group with the new Nike Lunar Speed 2 , also in the cherry hue, $115. Narrow feet are happy in Nike.

Jerdog has a fun pink floral out as well if you like a print. At left is their Women's English Breeze Pleats Skort, $49. Pair it with the matching top or coordinating solid.

Think pink. You will not be alone.

bollé's Bloomsberry Group. A Little Neopolitan for Your Game.

bollé has just released its Spring 2010 collection which includes this sophisticated and slimming t-backed tennis dress.

The color combo here is dusk with berry, $62.99 at Tennis-Warehouse (the company does not have msrps). It also comes in the reverse, berry with dusk, but I love the sleek sophistication of the brown hue. The color combination has actually been a popular one on court recently. It's flattering on most. Add a white visor and tennis shoes and you've got a little neopolitan going on. Pretty. Take a look at the whole Bloomsberry collection if you prefer separates.

If you haven't worn bollé before, the line is cut for the real woman's body. It skims curves and accents assets without clinging to mature bodies (we can't be 18 forever). The line is figure forgiving and is a favorite of women's USTA teams nationwide because of the flattering nature of the cuts and variety of necklines within the same color group. The skorts are 14" long (most tennis skorts are 13" or less)  and the tops stay down over the waistband insuring mid-section coverage when reaching. Bextra-dry fabric insures comfort in action.

If you are one of the many who prefer a tennis skirt without the built in shorts, bollé offers those within their bollé basics.

Find a retailer at bolletenniswear or shop at Tennis-Warehouse.

Lookin' good. Style and fit tips for the size 14+ tennis player.

So your body is not a perfect ten and the close fitting athletic styles out there just don't suit your frame. According to the USTA, there were nearly 185,000 female players registered in their 2008 Leagues between the ages of 31 and 75. That's the bulk of USTA team-playing women. Every one of them needs tennis clothes; not all have Ana Ivanovic's body.

Sam Goldberg, a tennis fashion consultant to players and teams around New England, makes a living fitting women who play our game. Goldberg's clients (primarily league teams) are all are avid tennis enthusiasts, most have what Oprah might term a real woman's body.  

"I can size someone up and hand them a great looking outfit within a minute of meeting them," Goldberg says. "Nike and adidas are not well suited to most older women. My favorite brands for this player include: Bolle, Jerdog, Lejay, Fila, LBH and Tail. My clients don't usually want to wear skin tight clothing.They want well-made, comfortable, athletic attire thatis figure forgiving."

Five tips for size 14+ fit success:

1.) V-neck or scoop neck lines are more flattering to a larger frame than crew style necks. Pictured left, for example, is the Bolle Flower Power Court Tank, $45. The longer shirt length is good too.

2.) Pay attention to skirt lengths as well. Manufacturers are making them to suit each age group. "14 inches is nice for coverage" (see the Bolle Basic Skirt left, $40). Goldberg's favorite skirts are the longer ones from Bolle and Tail.

3.) Separates are best for players with "problem" bottom areas. "A small waist/ wide hips concern is very common," she says. "These women should look for a skirt that does not offer the built in shortie (called a skort). Skorts tend to sit too low on the waist for this body type."

 Most manufacturers making skirts offer a shortie separately.

4.) "Tennis clothes are not vanity sized. If you wear a size 14 in street clothes you need an XL in tennis. Size 16? Buy a 1X." Buy the right size and you will not be subject to the effects of skin-tight.

5.) Look to mono chromatic two-piece sets for a look with the most slimming line visually. Contrasting separates tend to break up the body into two chunks.

Sam Goldberg of "Something Special" is available for consult by emailing: gold513 (at) aol.com. She will fit and buy for you or your team. She is based in Rhode Island.

"Shock" The Court With A New Line From Bollé

Give your look a shot of adrenaline with something from Bollé's new Pink Shock Group. Pictured here, left, is the sorbet-delicious women's Shock Striped Tank, $44.99 USD. With the flattering wrapped bustline, fitted bodice and key-hole back this is a stunner. Pair it with the black Shock Wrap Skirt or Shock Solid Skort in the same pink, both $44.99, or add it to your existing court-drobe; any black or white skirt you already own would work well with it too. The Shock Court Tank, right, $39.99 offers coverage seekers, just that. It also comes in pink with black accents. Both pieces, as well as others in the group, feature Bollé's 4 in 1 fabrication combining moisture wicking, anti-static, UV protection and anti-bacterial properties (which truly does add time to the life of a high-performance tennis garment). Check out the whole collection and give your game some pink infused energy. Available at fine tennis retailers including Tennis-Warehouse.

Unique Style That Puts "You" In Your Game.

Tennis bloggers are buzzing about possible pro defections from camp adidas because of what is being dubbed as less-than inspired fashion. Truly the clothes haven't been bad, just repetitive.  Hey, the girls want to express themselves. Way boring wearing the same thing week after week.

In the spirit of different we're offering up a sampling of some of the most unique tennis tops on the market at the moment. Designers have been hard at work making sure your on-court experience is nothing but fun, at least in the fashion department. Coordinating pieces are available for each top shown. From left to right: Jerdog Sling Tank ($36.99 USD) , LBH Katmandu Tank ($41.99 ), Peachy Tan North Shore V Tank ($42.99), Bolle Ocean View Doubles Tank ($39.99) and LeJay Domino Effect Mandarin Tank ($35.99) . Check 'em all out at Tennis-Warehouse. Express yourselves girls! No one's telling us what to wear.