Could gloves be making a comeback? Alex Eala may have a case for it.
The Filipina tennis star has been making waves off the court after her New York Fashion Week debut. One of her latest looks has also drawn attention to a familiar accessory: gloves. In a recent video shared by The Tennis Pulse on TikTok, Eala is seen embracing the polished accessory. The look adds another fashion moment to a busy week in New York.
@thetennispulse Third round exit, front row entrance. No crumbs. No fingerprints detected. @Alex Eala
♬ original sound - The Tennis Pulse
Her choice comes as gloves are once again appearing in fashion coverage. The accessory has long been linked with formal dressing and old-school glamour.
Now, designers and fashion figures are giving gloves a more modern treatment. For Eala, the look offers another example of her exploring fashion beyond the tennis court.
Alex Eala Takes Gloves From Court to Catwalk
Eala's New York Fashion Week appearances have added a new side to her growing public profile.
The 21-year-old tennis player arrived in New York after reaching the third round of the 2026 US Open. She then attended shows by some of fashion's biggest names.
Her first appearance came at the Tory Burch Spring/Summer 2027 show on 10 September. She later attended the Michael Kors presentation and a Calvin Klein event.
At Michael Kors, Eala wore a little black dress with matching gloves and kitten heels. The outfit gave the classic accessory a polished and elegant feel.
The following day, Eala appeared at Calvin Klein in an all-white look. She paired a white shirt and trousers with pointed shoes and matching gloves, according to coverage of the event.
The monochromatic look gave the accessory a more contemporary feel. Rather than appearing only as a formal evening piece, the gloves became part of a clean and understated outfit.
Are Gloves Actually Back?
Eala's recent looks come as fashion publications highlight a renewed interest in gloves.
British Glamour made its prediction clear in January 2026, writing: 'We're calling it; gloves are back for 2026.' The publication described the accessory as being due for a major fashion moment.
Marie Claire has also highlighted statement gloves as an accessory to consider for 2026. Its January feature made the case for gloves as a standout accessory trend for the year.
The wider trend is not entirely new. Statement gloves have appeared in fashion coverage for several seasons, with designers using different fabrics, colours and lengths to give the accessory a fresh feel.
That makes Eala's styling choice part of a wider fashion conversation rather than an isolated experiment. Her recent outfits also show how gloves can be styled without making an outfit feel overly formal.
Eala Is Finding Her Fashion Voice
Eala's fashion appearances are particularly notable because she remains closely linked to tennis. Speaking to the WTA during New York Fashion Week, she said: 'I love that in tennis, we're able to express ourselves through fashion.'
She added: 'You're able to show your personality in both worlds, and, you know, I'm excited to explore more.'
At Tory Burch, Eala wore a red blazer with a blue-grey striped shirt and wide brown trousers. At Michael Kors, she moved towards a more classic look with a little black dress, gloves and kitten heels. At Calvin Klein, she chose an understated white ensemble.
The three looks were different, but each showed Eala experimenting with fashion in her own way.
Her NYFW appearances also put her alongside established figures in the fashion world. At Michael Kors, she was seated near Anna Wintour, who has previously praised Eala's interest in fashion and her desire to learn more about it.
