I think Mary's 1970 date is right.englishangel wrote:We have discussed them elsewhere but thinking about it they must have appeared in 70/71 becasue I have several pics of us 'revising' for O levels on the field (summer '70) and we are wearing aertex shirts.kerrensimmonds wrote:I don't remember jumpsuits....... when did they come in?
I was in the Second V1 tennis team in 1969, and played in a frumpy white skirt and white aertex skirt. The next year, tennis team members were summoned by SWSNBN to Nines and fitted with white stretchy jumpsuits and matching short skirts. SWSNBN eased the largest size (16) out of its plastic wrapping for me - clicking and tutting - and I was thrilled. Firstly, the outfit was wonderfully comfortable, and secondly it was new. Snowily whiteily stretchily immaculately brand new! I loved to wear this outfit to play - only for matches though - and one could really jump about at the net without a dreary shirt detaching from one's skirt.
SWSNBN instructed us that we should squeeze out the garments in soap flakes after the match and return them to her in the plastic bags. I could hardly bear to hand back the most comfortable sports kit I'd ever worn.
I'd happily wear the ensemble to play these days too. So did tennis jumpsuits go on to be general sports wear? Excellent!