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Pickleball may be the best thing since sliced bread these days — but let’s forget about that for a second. Because, thanks in large part to Zendaya’s amazing tennis core looks for Challengers and her entire press tour, tennis is seriously having a moment. Playing the game is about more than just good form — what you’re wearing is just as important as your hours of practice on the court. Enter the tennis skirt.
The best tennis skirts equally combine form, fashion, and function, so you can serve up serious looks while serving, well, tennis balls. “The tennis aesthetic is a big trend now — consider it a modern take on the preppy country club look,” says Tara West, stylist at Tara West Fashion. “It works well as an elevated workout or athleisure look that can take you from the gym to lunch.”
So, put down your racquet and start scrolling. Because we’ve got the 10 best tennis skirts to serve your style rotation a total ace.
Best Tennis Skirts at a Glance
Best overall:Alo Varsity Tennis Skirt, $74
Best moisture-wicking:Lululemon Lightweight High-Rise Tennis Skirt, $78
Best budget:Stelle Tennis Skirt, $19
Best pleated:Tory Burch Tech Twill Pleated Tennis Skirt, $79 (was $158)
Best lightweight: Spanx Get Moving 14-Inch Skort, $72
Best skort:Nike Court Victory Dri-FIT Sport Skort, $58
Best fashion-forward:Banana Republic Factory Satin Pleated Skort, $20 (originally $75)
Best on or off the court:Athleta Ace High Rise 15 ½ Tennis Skort, $69
Best with pockets:Vuori Volley Skirt, $68
Best size inclusive: Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Skort, $25 (was $37)
What to Look for in a Tennis Skirt, According to Tennis Pros & Stylists
Choosing the right tennis skirt is dependent on where it’s going to be seen. There are specific features that are necessary for playing tennis that may not factor into ones you wear simply for aesthetics.
On the court
The best tennis skirts to enhance your game have slightly longer silhouettes, built-in shorts, and ball pockets. “I am always surprised how many tennis skirts don’t have a pocket for a tennis ball,” says wardrobe stylist and tennis player Katie Quinn of Q the Stylist. She also recommends looking for a pleated silhouette. “This allows the skirt to move with you when you run or lunge for the balls,” she says.
Off the court
When you’re more concerned with the tennis look than the tennis game, you can take a few extra liberties with your tennis skirt. “The best tennis skirts to wear off the court are right above the knee, or mid-thigh for that miniskirt look,” says personal stylist Tannya Bernadette of The Closet Edit. “The whole point of the tennis skirt is to show off those legs for that sporty-esque look.” She also recommends looking for style details like slits or wraps if you want a tennis skirt that’s a bit more fashion forward.
Are Tennis Skirts Still in Style in 2024?
In a word? Duh. Between Zendaya and Coco Gauff, the sport’s having quite the resurgence, so it’s no wonder that tennis skirts are cool again. “Tennis skirts are still causing a stir in the fashion scene,” says wardrobe stylist and styling expert Chellie Carlson. “They’ve got this amazing ability to effortlessly blend sporty vibes with chic flair.”
Bernadette agrees. “It’s a time in fashion where the lines are blurred on what’s casual and dressy,” she says. “A tennis skirt can be worn casually with sneakers for a day at the market, or can be dressed up with a lightweight sweater vest and wedges.”
What Fabric Is Good for a Tennis Skirt?
Simply put, a tennis skirt’s fabric matters. Would you really want to be running around the court in a skirt that feels terrible and makes you sweat uncontrollably? Look for breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics that keep you cool, even while you’re working up a sweat with your backhand. “The fabric should always be breathable, move with the body, and feel snug but not constricted,” recommends Courtgirl founder Marina Marzel. “A blend of polyester and spandex, or polyester and elastane, are ideal for a sporty tennis skirt — they tend to be breathable and strong with the ability to stretch and hold their shape after many washes.”
Additionally, you can play around with fabrics more when you’re looking for a tennis-inspired look, rather than one for actually playing the game. “A skirt to wear out to brunch might use a heavier fabric in a style that mimics the shape and length of a playable tennis skirt but would ultimately be too unyielding to play in,” Marzel says.
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Shop the Best Tennis Skirts in 2024:
Alo, Varsity Tennis Skirt
When it comes to a tennis skirt that packs all the punches, it’s hard to beat the Alo Varsity Tennis Skirt. “This skirt offers a fresh take on a classic piece that’s cute and very comfortable,” West says. It’s designed with iconic box pleats, and features a pull-on waistband and four-way stretch for ease of movement through every swing. While the skirt’s 2.6-inch inseam is on the shorter side, especially for taller players, it does have built-in shorts to keep you covered while you play. The shorts also have a hidden pocket to hold an extra ball. Talk about acing the competition!
Pros
Iconic silhouette and pleating
Hidden pocket allows for ball storage
Designed with comfortable four-way stretch
Cons
Skirt is on the shorter side
Not too size inclusive
Sizes available
XXS-L
Colors
3
Material
Not listed
Lululemon, Lightweight High-Rise Tennis Skirt
Let’s face it — no one wants to sweat while they slice. If you’re serious about your game, though, some beads of sweat are sure to form throughout a match. Luckily, the Lululemon Lightweight High-Rise Tennis Skirt has a liner crafted in the brand’s signature Luxtreme™ fabric, which means it wicks sweat away from the body, dries quickly, and keeps you cool. Plus, the skirt has comfortable four-way stretch, a wide pull-on waistband with a customizable hidden drawcord, and shorts with drop-in pockets and silicone grippers at the hem. Seems like this skirt is ready to rally.
Pros
Moisture-wicking fabric
Built-in shorts with pockets and grippers on the hem
Comes in multiple colors
Cons
Less size inclusive
Some reviewers say the shorts are loose
Sizes available
0-14
Colors
6
Material
Front Lining: 87% Nylon, 13% Lycra Elastane; Waistband: 78% Nylon, 22% Elastane; Body: 86% Polyester, 14% Elastane; Back Lining: 69% Nylon, 31% Lycra Elastane
Stelle, Tennis Skirt
This Stelle Tennis Skirt is the perfect budget-friendly option, whether you’re hitting balls on the tennis court or just want a sporty look for weekend brunch. It’s designed in soft, comfortable stretch nylon, with a wide, no-roll waistband for extra coverage and support. The built-in shorts have two side pockets, so you can store your keys, phone, and an extra ball while you play. Plus, it comes in a wide variety of colors, so you’re covered whether you need classic white for the court or want to show off your tennis vibes in hot pink or lime green.
Pros
Wide variety of colors to choose from
Multiple pockets to hold essentials on and off the court
Affordable
Cons
Not super fashion-forward
Sizes available
XS-XL
Colors
11
Material
Body: 75% Nylon, 25% Spandex; Liner: 80% Nylon, 20% Spandex
Tory Burch, Tech Twill Pleated Tennis Skirt
Pleats, please. Tory Burch is eponymous with preppy style, and this Tech Twill Pleated Tennis Skirt is certainly no exception to the rule. Since it doesn’t have built-in shorts (though the brand recommends pairing it with a pair of biker shorts), it may be better suited to a Sporty Spice-inspired look, rather than for actual play. However, we still love this twill skirt for the A-line silhouette, bold piped trim, and side pleated details.
Pros
Moisture-wicking fabric will keep you cool and dry
Preppy pleated details
Cons
No built-in shorts
Sizes available
XS-XL
Colors
2
Material
Not listed
Spanx, Get Moving 14-Inch Skort
The name of this Spanx skort says it all. The lightweight fabric alone will make you want to get moving — it has comfortable four-way stretch, plus it’s sweat-wicking and quick-drying. Mesh panels add to the skirt’s breathability. Meanwhile, the brand’s Booty Boost shorts are attached underneath, to help — you guessed it — boost your butt while keeping things covered on the move. It has pockets, too, so you can secure your essentials while you volley. There’s no need to worry about sun exposure on the court, either, since the fabric has built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. Sounds like an ace to us.
Pros
Multiple fabric features including UPF 50+ sun protection, moisture-wicking, and four-way stretch
Built-in shorts with pockets
Longer inseam and length
Cons
Not all colors available in all sizes
Sizes available
XS-XL
Colors
3
Material
78% Polyester, 22% Elastane
Nike, NikeCourt Dri-FIT Victory Skort
Equal parts sporty and stylish. That’s this Nike tennis skort in a nutshell. It’s designed in the brand’s signature Dri-FIT stretch fabric to wick away sweat and keep you comfortable on and off the court. The pull-on silhouette has a wide waistband, swingy silhouette, and logo detail at the hem. It has inner bike shorts, too, though it should be noted they don’t have any pockets to hold extra balls. “Take this skort to the gym for a warmup before you hit the courts and then to the club for lunch,” West recommends. Game, set, match.
Pros
Affordable
Moisture-wicking fabric keeps you cool and dry
Cons
No pockets
Shorts are longer than the skirt, which some players may not like
Sizes available
XS-XXL
Colors
2
Material
88% Polyester, 12% Spandex
Banana Republic, Satin Pleated Skort
So you don’t actually play tennis, but you want to look like you do. That’s where this Banana Republic Factory satin skort comes in. While you likely won’t be heading to the court in a satin skort, it’s absolutely perfect when you want to rock the tennis aesthetic. It’s business in the back, party in the front, thanks to box pleats, a half-back elastic waistband, and back welt pockets. Plus, it’s designed in sustainable polyester, so you can do good while you look good. “It drapes on your body perfectly,” says Bernadette. “You can definitely dress it up and add a pair of heels to the look.”
Pros
Crafted from sustainable fabric
Flattering front pleats
Comes in multiple colors
Cons
Not suitable for actually playing tennis
Sizes available
XXS-XL
Colors
4
Material
55% Recycled Polyester, 45% Polyester
Athleta, Ace High Rise 15 1/2 Tennis Skort
On the court, off the court, basically anywhere you want to take it — your sporty outfits just got a major upgrade, thanks to this Athleta tennis skirt. The multiple playable features make it a favorite of Quinn’s. “The extra high rise provides a snug fit that won’t go anywhere, unlike the slices you’ll be hitting,” she says. “”Great colors and tons of freedom [to move] make this truly an ace.” Speaking of those features: The short list includes the brand’s signature SwiftLite fabric (cool, slick, quick-drying, moisture-wicking, and rated UPF 50+ sun protection), three pockets (one on the back waistband and two on the inner shorts), and internal hem grippers to keep the shorts in place. The sustainable fabric is even crafted from post-consumer plastic bottles. Talk about smashing the competition.
Pros
Fabric is moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and has sun protection
Crafted in sustainable, recycled polyester
Longer length
Built-in shorts
Size-inclusive
Multiple colors to choose from
Cons
Some reviewers don’t like the fabric
Sizes available
XXS-3X
Colors
5
Material
Recycled Polyester, Spandex
Old Navy, High-Waisted PowerSoft Skort
This Old Navy skort is a must-have from hits to happy hours. For starters, it comes in sizes XS-4X, making it not only the most size-inclusive style on our list, but one of the only size-inclusive options we found at all. At under $40, it’s also pretty affordable, so budget-conscious shoppers can still incorporate the tennis look into their wardrobes. Luckily, it also has a variety of playable features, including the brand’s stretchy, compressive PowerSoft fabric, an elastic waist, built-in shorts, and a stash pocket. The tiered ruffles at the back add a flirty finish. Looks like 40-Love to us.
Pros
Size inclusive
Comes in multiple colors
Built-in shorts
Cons
3-inch inseam may be too short for some
Sizes available
XS-4X
Colors
6
Material
77% Polyester, 23% Spandex
Experts in This Article
Tara West: Stylist at Tara West Fashion
Katie Quinn: Wardrobe stylist and tennis player of Q the Stylist
Tannya Bernadette: Personal stylist of The Closet Edit
Chellie Carlson:wardrobe stylist and styling expert
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