Fresh off winter’s popular “après ski” trend, one of the summer’s top trends will lean into a similar athlete-off-duty aesthetic. Much like popping the champagne in a ski chalet, summer leisure sports—particularly tennis, golf, and sailing—have an alluring “après” (French for “after”) culture of their own. And whether it be lunching on the clubhouse patio or enjoying an ice cold spritz at happy hour, it is imperative to look the part.
Enter the après sport trend—elevated athleisure that seamlessly translates from the courts to streetwear and nods to the elegance of country club culture. From pleated skirts to tennis shoes to collared polos, we saw sporty basics dominating runways throughout spring, often styled for versatility and with a streetwear edge.
The look shines particularly bright within the current cultural context. Pickleball is rising as a favorite leisure and social activity in both suburban and urban communities alike. Actress Zendaya is fresh off the spring press tour for “Challengers,” in which she showed off a series of tennis-themed haute-couture looks that all but broke the internet. And of course, the summer Olympics in Paris brings athleisure back to the forefront of public consciousness, encouraging fans to emulate their favorite athletes’ off duty uniforms.
Trends at this rare intersection, where function and fashion meet, tend to have the greatest endurance. So, in assuming this trend will enjoy a long run (as après ski has), we asked a few local shops to offer their best tips for styling après sport this summer and beyond.
Kuvetta Athletic
Founded by Nordic skier and avid endurance athlete Abby Drach, Kuvetta Athletic is a Minneapolis-based brand that creates sustainable women’s activewear tailored to a wide range of athletic body types. Characterized by playful patterns and functional designs, athleisure staples like Kuvetta’s active dress are designed with versatility in mind.
“Due to the wicking nature of the spandex dress, it’s perfect for a hike, yet polished enough for a dinner outing afterwards,” shares Drach. As a styling tip, Drach encourages adding layers. Start with the blank slate of the active dress and enhance it with a baggy denim jacket, lightweight sweater, or puffy vest.
courtesy of Kuvetta Athletic
Top pick for summer: “I’m really looking forward to wearing our floral active dress with high-top Converse. I appreciate the juxtaposition of the dress’s feminine print with the ruggedness of the sneakers.” – Abby Drach
Editor Tip: Amid summer’s hottest stretch, layers aren’t always a practical styling option. Consider instead draping a lightweight sweater around your shoulders and tying it at the collarbone to emulate a distinctly preppy aesthetic that has been taking over the streets this season.
PXG Apparel
Launched by Renee Parsons in 2018, Scottsdale-based PXG Apparel builds upon the global success of PXG’s (Performance Xtreme Golf) golf equipment by offering a line of sophisticated activewear fit for both the golf course and everyday obligations. Jordan Lee, store manager of PXG’s Edina location, offered us some insight into what to expect in store this season.
“Our summer line draws inspiration from vintage sportswear while seamlessly incorporating contemporary flair,” Lee reveals. Building upon its versatile core palette of monotone blacks, whites, and grays, PXG seasonally expands into signature colors and prints that tap into the current fashion landscape. This strong mix of “capsule closet” basics and seasonal trends makes it easy to mix and match any of PXG’s pieces for a full après sport look.
Provided by PXG Apparel
Top Pick for Summer: “Our women’s Perforated RP Polo includes perforated fabrications, which allow greater ease of movement and exceptional breathability, ideal for any active endeavor, but also acceptable in the office or at happy hour.” –Jordan Lee
Editor Tip: Try pairing this polo with a pleated skirt, tennis shoes, and white ankle socks for an elegant yet functional après sport look. Complement with a pair of dark cat-eye sunglasses—a glassware shape that has been taking over this summer—to turn up the street style edge.
Saltie Rose
Avid pickleball enthusiast Terrie Rose founded her activewear line Saltie Rose after noticing a gap in the fashion scene on the courts. Merging her love for both pickleball and fashion, she set out to design clothing that met the sport’s physical requirements while still exuding a chic, effortless style.
“Our tailored approach embodies the essence of the après sport trend,” Rose shares, “seamlessly blending sophistication with sportiness.” For a country club-ready ensemble, Rose suggests styling a pair of Saltie Rose’s shorts or tunics with one of its bomber jackets, creating a fashion-forward contrast that easily transitions from the courts to dinner. Rose is also a fan of styling monochromatically, this season opting for a bold head-to-toe print. “wearing a complete patterned ensemble from top to bottom exudes a chic flair,” she says.
Provided by Saltie Rose
Top Pick for Summer: “This summer, I’m embracing the adaptability of timeless shapes and tailored fabrics. I adore the freedom to combine prints with solids. The rugby shirt is my muse for mixing patterns with solids or color blocking.” –Terrie Rose
Editor Tip: Rugby shirts are sure to be big this summer. Try mixing and matching the sporty top with the TikTok-popularized “academia” trend—which includes staples like pleated dress pants and horse bit loafers—for a sophisticated street look.
Waggle Golf
Roseville-based apparel line Waggle Golf was founded by Travis Baker in 2018, as an alternative to traditional country club golf apparel. Baker came upon the idea after observing the attire at a Jimmy Buffet concert: a vibrant sea of patterns and color that he wished to see more of on the golf course. The result is a bold, eccentric line of golf apparel.
“Our product branding leans golf, but our patterns can resonate with pretty much anyone,” shares Jordan Herz, Waggle Golf’s women’s designer. “They’re also not limited to where you can wear them.” Herz suggests pairing Waggle’s bold and bright polos with more relaxed silhouettes and subtle patterns, to create a casual, day-to-day ensemble.
Provided by waggle golf
To Pick for Summer: “My favorite look for summer is our new Wine and Nine Sleeveless Polo. It so clearly plays into après sport, combining the game with what people like to do once the round is over—socialize while enjoying a drink on the clubhouse patio.” –Jordan Herz
Editor Tip: As we’ve seen on runways this spring, polos can be made streetwear ready with the complement of bold jewelry. Try tying Waggle’s Nine and Wine Polo into an effortless streetwear ensemble with the help of gold jewelry accents.
