Sometimes I wonder what goes through the minds of Nike’s designers. I mean, The Australian Open is the first Slam of the season. Players expect their first collection of the year to knock our socks off, right? Unfortunately, they must be tapped out of creative ideas because, honestly, this year’s inaugural offering is not that great. (Or maybe I’m just being too picky 😂)
The Nike “Melbourne Collection” features teal, lavender, lemon yellow, and orange-y red colors poured onto a white background. Apparently, this “pattern” is supposed to represent a topographical map, but you probably wouldn’t realize it until someone told you.
Okay… Let’s look at the Nike Women’s Spring Slam Dress first.
This dress features a loose topographical print skirt joined to a solid teal top with a wide white band that sits just under the bust. The skirt is cut higher on the sides, but I don’t think that will keep it from blowing up in the wind – at least not both the front and back at the same time. I do, however, like the racer-front style and LOVE all the cutouts in the back. There is also a second color variant with a yellow top and teal waistband, which I think I prefer better.
Next is the Nike Women’s Spring Slam Tank. It has the bold printed pattern on the front and back, with lavender trim along armholes and neckline, and white side panels. It is also has a very slim fit, like it was made for a flat-chested Barbie. It won’t be a winner for a league team made up of ladies of all sizes (and ages), that’s for sure. I don’t dislike all of it, though – I like the cutout in the back 😉
Then there is the Nike Women’s Spring Slam Skirt, which comes in “Green Abyss” (I’m calling it teal) or “Rush Fuchsia” (I say it’s lavender).
Why Nike, why?
I will never understand why Nike keeps using mega pleats in their skirts. Are men designing these? Such loose and lightweight fabric ALWAYS blows the skirt up – and in the slightest of breezes. And this one is cut weirdly, like a “high-low, high-low” kind of thing. I guess they cut it that way so that when the wind does blow the skirt up (and it will), at least it won’t get in the players’ faces 🙄
Lastly, there is the Nike Women’s Spring Slam Long Sleeve Crop Top. While I do like the centrally positioned NikeCourt logo in the colorful pattern against either a solid white, teal, or brown background, I’m not a fan of how it fits through the arms and shoulders. It seems you would need to have a more slender build to pull it off (like the model on the right).
A couple of other things to mention is that Nike sizes their apparel a little small, so you should buy the next size up for a better fit. Also, retailers like Tennis Express and Tennis Warehouse only carry the S, M, L, and XL sizes, and the XL always sells out first. However, on Nike.com you can find their apparel in the XS and 2XL sizes as well.
All in all, I feel this collection is: a MISS. But that’s just me. And like I said before, maybe I’m just too picky. But I’m interested to know what you think of Nike’s latest offerings for us ladies. Is it a HIT or MISS? Tell us in the comments below 🙂
