Look Chic While You Serve In Our Favorite Tennis Gear

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from watching the US Tennis Open year after year, it’s that the outfits have range.

Last year, Naomi Osaka went all out with frilly skirts and oversized bows. “I wouldn’t automatically associate myself with being girlish when I’m on the court, but I tend to gravitate toward really beautiful and cute things,” she said in a New York Times interview. “I think there’s something quite cool in making that an emphasis.”

Then Jessica Pegula stepped out on the court in sleek, slim-fitting dresses, with simple sweatbands and a visor to keep the sun out of her eyes.

The point? There’s no one way to dress for tennis. So if you’re planning on trying your hand at the sport this year—or you’re just a big fan of preppy chic court style—we put together cute tennis outfits that’ll carry you through. And we ran these ’fits by coaches and players to make sure they’re as functional as they are stylish.

Our top picks

1. FP Movement Advantage Set, $98
2. Adidas Barricade 13 Tennis Shoes, $160
3. Alo Tennis Club Sweater Knit Cardigan, $168
4. Beis The Sport Backpack, $108
5. Hydro Flask 40 oz with Flex Straw Cap, $50

Bare necessities

Going for a simplistic, sporty vibe? Pick up Alo’s Airbrush Real Bra Tank—a longline, medium support sports bra that Marina Todd, a coach at Court 16, swears by. “I almost exclusively play in compression women’s tank tops,” she says. “I don’t like a ton of extra fabric and want to freely move when I swing a racket.”

She pairs them with shorts that won’t bunch or ride up, like Wilson’s Tennis Ball Shorts. “When it comes to bottoms, I prefer minimal fabric, especially since I’m constantly running and bending low on the court,” Todd says. “Short skirts or shorts give me the freedom to move without feeling constricted.”

Todd’s other must-haves? Hydro Flask’s 40 oz Wide Mouth with Flex Straw Cap to help her stay hydrated, her on-theme Wimbledon Towel, and her L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Zip-Top to hold all of her gear.

Think pink

This outfit proves that tennis is for the girlies—it’s pretty and feminine, but you can definitely move in it. The base is Under Armour’s Motion Dress: “In 2006, Maria Sharapova won the US Open in an iconic black Nike dress. Ever since, I have enjoyed playing matches in tennis dresses,” Peri Sheinin, a tennis broadcaster, Brown University’s assistant women’s tennis coach, and a member of athletic networking community LaunchBreak, tells SELF. “This is a versatile dress that you can wear on the court, then change your shoes and wear it to lunch.”

We also recommend scooping up a pair of Adidas’ Barricade 13 Tennis Shoes. Eric Davidson, a tennis supervisor at Midtown Athletic Club and a member of the Wilson Select Team, previously recommended them to SELF because they sit low on the ankle, so you can move side to side easily.

With the basics all set, it’s time to accessorize. “Hot Girls Pearls has a great selection of cooling jewelry to look stylish and cool down after a long match,” Philippa Portnoy, the cofounder of LaunchBreak and a Columbia University women’s tennis alumna, tells SELF. We have our eyes on the brand’s Ivory White Cooling Necklace for this ’fit. Then, throw Mark & Graham’s Personalized Sports Towel in your bag to dab at sweat—or drench it in cold water and wear it as a neck wrap post-game.

Classic whites

FP Movement’s Advantage Set should be an immediate add-to-cart. The white and green might match the court, but you’ll definitely stand out in something this cute. Sheinin agrees: “The tight-fitting top provides a lovely contrast with the flowy skirt,” she says.

For a matchy moment, pair your set with FP Movement’s Game Set Match Sock Pack and some white sneakers. You can go with the Adidas we mentioned above, or follow Davidson’s advice to pick out a pair on your own.

“When it comes to the sole of the tennis shoe, you want to make sure that it has support in the arch,” he says. “A lot of flat tennis shoes will hurt, and they’ll start to wear and tear very quickly.” Look for low-top sneaks that’ll give your ankles their full range of motion.

You’ll want a bag to toss your equipment in. Beis’ The Sport Backpack is the one to go with—it has a designated slot to hold your racquet, plus pockets for your water bottle, tennis balls, keys, and wallet. One more thing you might want to add? Nuun’s Sport Electrolyte Tablets; Portnoy packs them any time she’s playing in hot weather. Pop one in your water, let it dissolve, and sip to rehydrate between serves.

Vintage vibes

It might seem like exercise dresses and pleated skirts are trends of the moment—but they’ve been cute for decades, as proven by this 1973 photo of tennis pro Chris Everet.

We wanted to take a page out of Everet’s book, starting with Halara’s Softlyzero dress. One SELF editor recommends it because you don’t have to take the whole thing off every time you need to pee, thanks to built-in bike shorts with a sneaky cutout in the back.

The standout in this look is the varsity cardigan, and Alo’s Tennis Club Sweater Knit Cardigan fits the bill. For a pair of white sneaks that emulate Everet’s, try the Vapor 12 Hard Court Tennis Shoes. Portnoy recommends Nike’s tennis sneakers because they’re supportive on concrete and clay courts. “Nike has models tailored to a wide range of players based on cushion, shoe width, and level of play—competitive or recreational,” she adds.

Don’t forget to slip Lovers and Friends’ Elaine Bow into your hair to upgrade a plain ponytail or bun.

Related:

• The Best Polarized Sunglasses for All Your Outdoor Adventures
• The Best Pickleball Paddles Make Every Shot Feel Satisfying
• 13 Comfy, Supportive Walking Shoes for Flat Feet

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