The World Cup has kicked off in North America. Tennis season is upon us with the Grand Slams. And next month, Formula 1 comes back to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix. Summer ’26 is all about sport. Over the last several seasons, we’ve seen our favourite labels turning to sport for inspiration. Now that the summer of sport is here, it’s set to dominate the conversation.  

Sports-coded dressing is so much more than throwing on an England shirt and heading out, though. Think outside the box. Disrupt crisp tennis whites with textured fabrics and bold pops of colour. Pair your football jersey with tailored shorts to bring a sharper edge to your edit. Wear a corset top under your F1-inspired bomber jacket.  

Whatever your plans this summer, we’ve got you covered. 

Welcome back to FLANNELS 3-Ways, your styling BFF, where we break down three ways to dress for three different occasions. This time we’re tackling (pun intended) the summer of sport. Whether you’re catching a World Cup match, watching your favourite tennis player clinch victory in straight sets, or you’re trackside for lights out at the British Grand Prix, this is how to nail sporty dressing the FLANNELS way.  

IT’S COMING HOME 

ICYMI… this summer, football is everywhere. 48 teams have travelled to Canada, Mexico, and the USA for the biggest tournament on the planet: the World Cup. With 104 matches in 16 cities, it’s set to supercharge our style this season. If anything, it’s already started. England captain Declan Rice features in Burberry’s latest campaign. Grace Wales Bonner’s latest collection with adidas is a love-letter to the sport. Dua Lipa’s been spotted in football-inspired fits.  

Lean into the mood, but keep things unexpected. Anchor the look around one or two pieces that pay homage to the beautiful game, and pair them with leftfield details. To finish, keep accessories minimal, but elevated. The result? An ensemble that reads football, but considered. 

Here’s how to do it… 

Represent is going all-in on the World Cup this season. Inspired by vintage football jerseys, its Champions capsule is rooted in terrace culture. Look no further than the Spike Jersey, with a red and white colourway that pays tribute to the Three Lions home kit. Finished with the label’s new crest and 93 number, it might feel built for match day, but you’ll be wearing it long after the final whistle. For a sharper touch, team it with about:blank’s Tailored Shorts. The front pleats add polish, while the knee-length fit stops your outfit from reading too formal.  

When it comes to footwear, adidas Originals by Wales Bonner is your go-to. The collab between the German label and one of Britain’s most exciting designers has always been a FLANNELS favourite. This season, they’ve teamed up with Y-3. The standout? The Field Lizzard Shoes. Think croc-embossed leather. A foldover tongue inspired by retro football boots. The classic Three-Stripes. An easy hat-trick.  

Accessories matter too. Fred Perry might have been a tennis champion, but his label has become synonymous with the terraces. The Classic Barrel Bag will see you through the day, whether you’re watching the World Cup coming home at a mate’s house or heading to your favourite local. Flatlist Eyewear are on our radar right now and we’re big fans of their Sting sunglasses. Finally, circle back to Represent and opt for its Initial Baseball Cap in vintage grey to pull the edit together.  

Up top, start with WRSTBHVR. We’ve been following the Berlin-based label for a while and, safe to say, we’re big fans. Its polo shirt might be inspired by rugby, but the horizontal stripes? Pure football. The chocolate brown/pastel pink colour combo is the hero detail, the retro flair putting it in the back of the net. Below, go for the adidas Originals by Wales Bonner Football Shorts. In crisp white, they anchor the look. The ‘WB’ crest on the leg? A low-key touch that lands with maximum effect.  

Let Puma take care of the shoes. Keep it streamlined and slip into the Speedcat OG sneakers to contrast with the baggier shorts. In coffee, they’re sleek and pair perfectly with the polo. The wavy Ivory accents along the sides make us think of movement, and you’ll feel like your favourite striker racing down the pitch every time.  

Off-White are enjoying a moment and their Dumbo Bag in beige gives big crook-of-the-arm energy, with enough space for every essential you need to see you through the day. Your finishing touches? Flatlist Eyewear and TWOJEYS jewellery. Go for silver pieces: Sting sunglasses and the Icon Pearl necklace. 

GAME, SET, AND MATCH 

If football is the beautiful game, then tennis is the stylish game. During the grand slams, our eyes are as much on courtside style as they are on the matches. Razor-sharp suits and crisp shirting straight from Savile Row for the gentlemen, with tailored separates and midi dresses for the ladies. The dress code reads smart, served with ease. 

Done right, it can linger in the memory long after the umpire calls “game, set and match.” We’re still thinking about Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro’s co-ordinated moment during the 2025 tennis season. He pulled focus in a smart button-up with a knit jumper tied around his shoulder. And she caught our attention in a silky slip dress that channelled classic tennis whites. 

This season, have fun with tenniscore. Go for the key colours and staples, but disrupt them with offbeat moments. Play with texture and length. Add in vibrant pops of colour. Bring in more casual elements. The result? Courtside style, but make it yours. 

Whether you’re at the match or following it on your phone, consider this your tennis season playbook. 

For courtside style, a blazer is non-negotiable. It’s the focal point for your outfit, so it has to land. Let Balmain take the lead with its Twill Blazer. With clean lines, sharp lapels, and a rich Marine colour, it feels tailor-made for a Grand Slam. The French house keeps the silhouette restrained, saving its one showy moment for the gold-toned buttons. Skip the matching trousers and reach for shorts. about:blank’s Tailored Shorts in grey are the ones to go for. Unexpected yes, but they bring that preppy edge. 

For the shirting, leave your favourite button-down in your wardrobe choose a polo shirt. The style was born on a French tennis court in the '20s, so it's a fitting pick. Ami Paris' long sleeve option is ours. The two-tone white and navy colourway complements the blazer perfectly and the embroidered logo is a sporty detail that quietly does the work. Stick with the French mood for footwear. Jacquemus’ Tennis Trainers are an easy play, drawing from classic on-court styles. The canvas uppers are ideal for keeping your feet cool as you move through the day. 

Be playful with your accessories. Maison Kitsuné’s Dressed Fox Tote Bag slips on to your shoulder with ease, and the graphic print continues the season’s theme of introducing off-kilter moments. Elsewhere, a Certina watch adds a refined edge, while an Ami Paris baseball cap brings it full circle. 

Tennis whites are tradition. Here's how to make them your own: a tennis dress. Our pick? Casablanca's Striped Mesh Midi Dress. That crisp white base and ribbed polo shirt collar ground the look. But it's the details that elevate it. The vivid blue stripes. The breezy mesh fabric up top. The label's signature diamond monogram. It's classic, without ever tipping into stuffy. For cooler evenings, layer it under the matching Bomber Cardigan that’ll make you feel like you’re stepping out on the court.

Brighten things up with an injection of primary colour. Ganni’s another favourite at the FLANNELS office, and we rate its B-Kat Bag in deep red. The curved design effortlessly sits under the arm or in the hand and comes with room for the essentials: makeup for mid-match touch-ups and your phone for courtside selfies.

For your feet, invest in Gianvito Rossi’s Flavia 100 Sandals. They bring Grand Slam elegance with mirrored gold-toned leather and laurel leaf details that are a small statement all of their own. And those 100mm heels? Pure confidence with every step. Match the jewellery to the shoes. Think a gold watch and bangle from Coach and pendant earrings from Cult Gaia. Simple, but effective.

POLE POSITION 

If you’re anything like us, you’ve been quietly watching Formula 1 for the fashion moments as much as the races over the last few years. Rihanna in Balenciaga at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Priyanka Chopra stopping by Ferrari’s Abu Dhabi garage in a hot pink maxi dress. Literally anytime Lewis Hamilton swaps his racing leathers for an eye-popping fit. Over the last few years, the lines between fashion and F1 have blurred. Think gridwalk rather than catwalk. 

With the 2026 British Grand Prix right around the corner, it makes sense that we’re looking to motorsport for style inspiration. Picture bombers that nod to F1 team jackets, paired with everyday essentials and elevated with considered details. Think slick blacks, directional panelling and the kind of technical detailing pulled straight from the track without going full cosplay. Outfits that say Silverstone, whether you’ve got tickets or not. 

This is how to do Formula 1 style and finish in pole position… 

If there’s one label that knows about motorsports, it’s Belstaff. It’s been making racing jackets for over a century, and its collaboration with Represent brings that heritage up to speed. Its Leather Race Jacket feels like it’s built for the Grand Prix. The sleek two-tone colourway. The reinforced elbow and shoulder panels. The specially designed logos and appliqués. It’s the real thing, not a costume. Let it set the pace. Everything else will follow. 

Because we’re in summer, don’t layer too heavily. A vest is all you’ll need. Low-key and clean, Casablanca’s Ribbed Tank Vest in white is our pick. It won’t pull focus, but it’ll sit comfortably against your skin. Down below, reach for denim. Our Legacy’s Third Cut Jeans are an easy choice. They sit at the mid-waist and have plenty of room through the legs. The twist? The indigo colour and distressed details are printed. We’re seeing more brands leaning into this and frankly, we’re all for it.  

On your feet, lean towards the shoe of the moment: the loafer. Maison Margiela’s Decortique Loafers subvert expectations with visible cut lines and a penny strap that reverses the suede underside. Ideal for a season that's all about finding new angles on the classics. As usual, don’t overdo your accessories. One or two TWOJEYS necklaces are enough to complete the fit.  

You don’t mess with perfection, so stick with the Represent x Belstaff collab for the hero piece. Its nylon bomber jacket is light enough for a warm summer, especially when slung off one shoulder. The slouchy silhouette feels playfully oversized, yet unbothered, the ideal vibe to take into the weekend. This time around, the logos are even more of a statement, above all on the sleeves. And those bright blue panels? Meant to be noticed. 

Elsewhere, dial things back to let the bomber lead. Mars The Label is another name on our radar. Its Everly Corset is our choice. Boned throughout to cinch in the waist, with a sweetheart neckline, it’s a girly take on your wardrobe staples, with the lace detailing at the back. Stick with Ariana Ajtar’s label and reach for the Brielle Capris beneath. The ¾ length feels summery in the best possible way, with the mesh fabric to keep you cool. And the lace overlay? A quiet textural hit to contrast with the sleek bomber. 

Vivienne Westwood has you covered for your bag. Its Pamela Small Bag in white is a chic move. The geometric lines. The white leather. The Saturn Orb on the flap. It’s showy without overwhelming the whole look, the first thing people will notice after they’ve finished admiring the jacket. Finish up with a pair of Miu Miu sunglasses. Y2kcore is everywhere right now, so lean into that and opt for a pair of wraparound shades. Now you’re ready for the gridwalk.