The Lacoste Spring/Summer 2026 collection, set against the emblematic Eiffel Hall of the Lycée Carnot, felt like peeking through a small hole in the wall of a locker room after tennis practice: we watch the cool kids chat about the match with tangible passion, unbuttoning their polos, loosening their tracksuits. The collection invites us to experience a magnetic moment between observers and players, exploring the transition from unfinished states of dress to changing into fresh, new clothes. Players shed sweat-soaked garments to make way for a new lightness and elegance, preparing to grab a drink with their teammates in a Parisian restaurant.
This collection is an ode to the beauty of sports and tennis: the passion, the devotion, and the inherent elegance found in accepting both victory and defeat. It’s no surprise that René Lacoste, founder of the brand, was himself one of the world’s top tennis players in the 1920s and 1930s, winning multiple Grand Slam titles. Lacoste is rooted in both the practicality of athleisure and the timeless simplicity of French elegance, and this collection perfectly captures that duality: contradictions between transparency and opacity, comfort and fluidity, athletic intention and effortless sophistication. Lacoste’s rich sporting heritage serves as the foundation, and its raw authenticity evolves toward refinement.
Silhouettes were oversized and fluid, featuring wide-leg trousers, robe-like trench coats, and sheer cover-ups that created an effortlessly sophisticated look. The iconic Lacoste polos were reimagined in transparent nylon and paired with either flowy trousers or tennis-length shorts, all accented with vintage sportswear details. Towels wrapped around the waist as skirts added to the locker-room metaphor, complemented by accessories such as zip pouch necklaces and luggage tags engraved with ‘For Tennis Use Only.’
The colour palette was dynamic and quite exquisite: vibrant hues like burnt orange, grass green, and archival Lacoste blue were balanced by classy nudes and whites that added polish to the collection. The incorporation of performance fabrics with couture-level precision highlighted a commitment to technical innovation without sacrificing style. Materials ranged from glossy nylons and wet-look silks to luxurious mohair and tropical wools, emphasising Lacoste’s core values of comfort and elegance.
This collection offers a fresh and bold take on Lacoste’s longstanding athletic heritage. Vulnerable yet strong, it makes a compelling statement that athleisure can seamlessly blend into high fashion without compromising sophistication. Creative Director Pelagia Kolotouros’s vision ushers in a new era for Lacoste, where performance meets elegance in a celebration of movement and transformation.
