Apparel and Gear Workout Clothes I Play Tennis Twice a Week, And I’m Completely Obsessed With These Tennis Skirts They are serving up some serious style. By Kristen Geil, NASM-CPT Kristen Geil, NASM-CPT Instagram As the Senior Fitness Editor at Shape, Kristen oversees the Fitness category and covers workout trends, exercise tips, recovery, and more. Previously, Kristen was the Chief Content Officer at aSweatLife.com, where she led content and editorial strategy. She has experience in copywriting and digital marketing, and she's an award-winning freelancer who works with B2C clients in health and wellness. Shape's editorial guidelines Updated on May 25, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews How to Style Tennis Skirts We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shape / Kristin Kempa Ever since my first tennis clinic at the age of six, I’ve loved grabbing a racquet and hitting the court. And as an adult, playing a few times a week has become both a fun way to work up a sweat and one of my favorite ways to socialize (doubles, anyone?). So now that tennis-core (a preppy, athletic-inspired style) is trending, I’m all about getting double-duty out of my skorts, tops, and dresses. Whether I’m heading to a lesson or out to brunch, you can find me in a pleated mini-skirt, a form-fitting dress with built-in shorts, or chunky tennis shoes with crew socks — or all of the above, TBH... A few staples in any tennis-inspired wardrobe will make your outfits functional on and off the court. For hitting the courts, look for skirts and dresses with built-in shorts to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions— bonus points if the shorts have grippers under the hem to keep them in place or a pocket that fits a tennis ball. Any tops should be made with a lightweight, sweat-wicking material to keep you dry. To help you find the best tennis skirts for serving looks, I rounded up some of my absolute faves that I wear time and time again. Most of these tennis skirts are ones that I’ve personally tried and tested, and I also polled fellow editors to see what’s in their wardrobes. Trust, these tennis skirts are absolutely aces. Our Top Picks Best Under $40: HALARA Everyday Cloudful Air 2-in-1 Tennis Skirt at Thehalara.com Jump to Review Best on Amazon: BALEAF Women's Pleated Tennis Skirt at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Actually Playing Tennis: Wilson Midtown Tennis Skirt at Wilson.com Jump to Review Most Comfortable: Outdoor Voices FreeForm 3" Skort at Outdoorvoices.com Jump to Review Best Pleated: Athleta Advantage Skort at Gap.com Jump to Review Best Compression: Outdoor Voices Court Skort at Outdoorvoices.com Jump to Review Best for Tall People: Alo Tennis Skirt at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Girlfriend Collective Black FLOAT Ultralight Split Skort at Girlfriend.com Jump to Review Best for On and Off the Court: Lululemon Peek Pleat High-Rise Tennis Skirt at Lululemon Jump to Review Best Under $40 HALARA Everyday Cloudful Air 2-in-1 Tennis Skirt Halara View On Thehalara.com Why We Like It: It’s an affordable way to give the tennis skirt trend a try.It’s Worth Noting: The length was perfect on one editor’s petite frame, but it may be scandalous on taller people (but that’s what built-in shorts are for). This budget-friendly tennis skirt earned rave reviews from one editor, who calls it her gateway to becoming “obsessed with skorts.” “It’s cute enough to wear on dates and hanging out with friends, but it’s also functional enough to run errands,” she says. Like most of our favorite tennis skirts, it has a pocket on each leg, and the elastic waistband keeps the skort in place without being too compressive. Notably, the built-in shorts didn’t ride up or dig into the skin, making this one of the most comfortable tennis skirts we found. And with the most colors available of any tennis skirt we tested (seriously, it’s a veritable rainbow of options), there’s sure to be one that fits your personal style. If you’re a petite gal like our editor (who clocks in at 5’3”), we’re confident in recommending this Halara tennis skirt in the regular inseam. However, if you’re taller, you might opt for a similar style with the option to grab a long inseam — like the Everyday Cloudful Air Crossover Tennis Skirt in Longer, which is made of the same buttery soft fabric. Price at time of publish: $35 Sizes: XS to 4X | Colors: 26 | Material: 77% Nylon, 23% Elastane Best on Amazon BALEAF Women's Pleated Tennis Skirt Amazon View On Amazon Why We Like It: The mesh liner is incredibly breathable.It’s Worth Noting: The built-in shorts don’t have grippers, but there is a silicone strip to prevent riding up. Who doesn’t love a solid Amazon find? BALEAF is quickly becoming our go-to for affordable activewear on Amazon, and this pleated tennis skirt is no exception. It nails the must-haves for any active skort — built-in shorts, wide waistband, and plenty of functional pockets — and goes above and beyond with some extra-thoughtful features. There’s tons of breathability and ventilation, thanks to the flowy pleats and mesh liner in the built-in shorts. The pocket comfortably fits a tennis ball, and there’s an adjustable cord in the waistband to get your perfect fit. While we wish it had the same grippers as the Athleta Advantage Skort, there is a silicone strip in the shorts that helps prevent it from riding up. And word to the wise, be sure to check your measurements against the size chart. BALEAF seems to run a bit small. Price at time of publish: $30 Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 9 | Material: 87% Polyester, 13% Spandex Best for Actually Playing Tennis Wilson Midtown Tennis Skirt Wilson View On Wilson.com Why We Like It: This completely functional tennis skirt has a built-in pocket that fits a tennis ball. It’s Worth Noting: The thick waistband is compressive. Nothing makes me feel more like Serena Williams than wearing this classic-looking Wilson tennis skirt (which I own in Bright White). The traditional pleats and the color-blocked stripes on the waistband give off varsity vibes — but when I’m playing an actual match, this is the skirt I turn to for one simple reason. The built-in shorts have a pocket that actually fits a tennis ball. This is a major differentiator because tons of other tennis skirts have pockets that are only big enough for a phone or a set of keys. These fit a standard yellow tennis ball, so you’re not stuffing extras in your built-in shorts or chasing them around the court. I also love the way the pleats move with me on the court; they feel featherlight and floaty, and they don’t drag me down or get in my way. If you’re not a fan of compression, this waistband might be a little constricting. It’s pretty thick and the material has a ribbed feel that’s a contrast to the seamless liner shorts. Price at time of publish: $68 Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 8 | Material: 100% Nylon Most Comfortable Outdoor Voices FreeForm 3" Skort Outdoor Voices View On Outdoorvoices.com Why We Like It: The soft-touch fabric feels like wearing your favorite old pair of sweats.It’s Worth Noting: The built-in shorts rode up just a tad. News flash: Tennis skirts can be loungewear, all you need is the right fabric. Outdoor Voices’ FreeForm material is mega-stretchy and soft to the touch. When I tested it recently, I noticed that it moved with me but still stayed close to my body — so I felt slightly more pulled together than I would have in a baggy pair of sweat shorts. I also loved the two side slits, both for the practical purposes of moving freely and for an Angelina Jolie moment of showing a little leg. Although the actual fabric of the tennis skirt feels like a dream, the inner shorts were slightly less comfortable. I felt them ride up just a tad as I was moving around, so I had to readjust a few times (after awkwardly scouting around to make sure no one was watching). I’d love the built-in shorts to be a tad longer, but I do have seriously strong thighs — so it might be a personal fit thing. I did love that the shorts have grippers sewn into the hems, which helps keep the shorts down. Price at time of publish: $58 Sizes: XXS to XXXL | Colors: 3 | Material: 85% Polyester, 15% Spandex Best Pleated Athleta Advantage Skort Athleta View On Gap.com Why We Like It: The pleats are only in the back, so they lay better on the booty.It’s Worth Noting: The shorts are longer than the skirt’s hem, so the proportions look a little off. This tennis skirt comes highly recommended by Shape senior commerce editor Shannon Bauer, who’s taking weekly tennis lessons and loves the business in the front, party in the back style of the Advantage Skort. “I love that the pleats are only in the back — it’s less fussy and it lays more smoothly on the bottom,” she points out. “Plus, the shorts have grippers around the hem, and even after a two-hour tennis lesson, they didn’t budge. I never pulled or adjusted this skirt the entire time.” For your on-court convenience, there are small zipper pockets on the sides and two pockets in the built-in shorts that are big enough for tennis balls (and they’re hidden easily by the skirt’s pleats, so you don’t look like “a squirrel hoarding nuts,” as Bauer puts it). “I wore the first skirt (gifted by PR) a few times, and I’ve already purchased a second one on my own, I love it so much,” adds Bauer. One heads up: The built-in shorts are a little longer than the hem of the skirt, which takes away from the streamlined style. You can scrunch the shorts up a bit to hide them, but the proportions look a little off if you leave them as-is. Price at time of publish: $89 Sizes: XXS to 3X | Colors: 3 | Material: 83% Recycled Polyester, 17% Spandex Best Compression Outdoor Voices Court Skort 4.5-inch Outdoor Voices View On Outdoorvoices.com Why We Like It: The skort is made with a mid-weight, textured material that provides medium compression.It’s Worth Noting: The heavier fabric feels thick on the body, not like a second skin. If you love the feeling of being held in by your activewear, the Outdoor Voices Court Skort offers medium compression for that slightly snug sensation. Made with a mid-weight textured fabric, the built-in shorts give me a subtle booty lift, and an eye-catching slit up the side lets me move freely (without it, I’d feel a little too restricted, especially moving side to side). Another bonus is that this fabric is majorly durable. Personally, I’ve had this skort for several years now (and yes, run it through machine washers and dryers countless times), and it still looks as good as the day I bought it. No tears, snags, stains, or discolorations. The compression fabric is sweat-wicking and has a four-way stretch, but I still find myself getting warm quickly when I’m playing. I’d recommend it for low-sweat activities or indoor tennis (read: air conditioning). The fabric is noticeably thick, so even though it’s comfortable, I wouldn’t call it “buttery soft” (like Lululemon Align fabric, for example). Price at time of publish: $58 Sizes: XXS to XXXL | Colors: 4 | Material: 86% Polyester, 14% Spandex Best for Tall People Alo Yoga Match Point Tennis Skirt Alo View On Nordstrom View On Aloyoga.com View On Bloomingdales Why We Like It: It’s not too scandalous on long legs.It’s Worth Noting: The Alo branding on the waistband is showy, but we personally dig it. If you’re frequently the victim of “what’s the weather like up there?” height-related jokes, you might be wary of trying the tennis skirt trend, since they can be famously mini. However, one 5’8” editor vouches for the viral Alo Yoga Match Point Tennis Skirt, noting that while she usually has issues with length, this tennis skirt isn’t too short. (And if you want details, the product page shares exact specs for the length of each size of the skirt — so helpful.) Even though the waistband is thinner than others we’ve tried (like the budget-friendly Halara option), it didn’t dig into our skin at all, and it’s majorly comfortable. This skirt has the built-in shorts and pockets that we’ve come to love in our tennis skirts, and we’re obsessed with the sporty-chic design. It’s both stylish and versatile. We loved the branding-forward waistband, but if you prefer a more subtle logo, this may not be the vibe for you. Also, it has to be noted that Alo Yoga’s size range is incredibly limited — having a size large be the biggest option available for this skirt is disappointing. Price at time of publish: $79 Sizes: XXS to L | Colors: 3 | Material: 92% Spandex, 8% Elastane Best Lightweight Girlfriend Collective Black FLOAT Ultralight Split Skort Girlfriend Collective View On Girlfriend.com Why We Like It: The material is so lightweight and breathable, you won’t sweat hot summer days.It’s Worth Noting: There’s no true waistband. If your idea of an ideal tennis skirt is that you barely feel it on your skin, we love this option from Girlfriend Collective. Not only is the fabric super lightweight, but the skort features a high slit up the side that helps the material move around your body — so you feel totally free (and yes, there are built-in compression shorts to keep from any peekaboo moments). “This skirt is SO comfortable, I could wear it to sleep!” raves one editor. “It's the perfect balance of compression and comfort, and I love the built-in shorts.” And, she points out, Girlfriend Collective always creates their clothing in an exclusive size range. However, unlike the other tennis skirts on this list, this skirt doesn’t have a true waistband. On one hand, that creates a super streamlined look if you wear it with a tucked-in tank. On the other, we’re concerned it might dig into our skin a bit without the extra fabric. It’s also only available in a very basic black color at the time of publish, which makes it a little less exciting than the other tennis skirts we reviewed. Price at time of publish: $62 Sizes: XXS to 6XL | Colors: 1 | Material: 90% Recycled Plastic Bottles, 10% Spandex The Best Pickleball Clothing for Every Dink, Drop Shot, and Volley Best for On and Off the Court Lululemon Peek Pleat High-Rise Tennis Skirt Lululemon View On Lululemon Why We Like It: The streamlined design doesn’t scream “tennis,” thanks to a flat front.It’s Worth Noting: Depending on size, the built-in shorts may peek out a little under the skirt. For a seamless transition from hitting to happy hour, we love the Lululemon Peek Pleat High-Rise Tennis Skirt. Unlike other pleated options we tested (like the Wilson Midtown Tennis Skirt), this tennis skirt has a flat front that looks like a regular skirt. The sides, however, feature subtle paneling with pleated fabric for a look that is more Serena Van der Woodsen than Serena Williams. We’re bookmarking this as one of the most versatile tennis skirts out there (in fact, this would work for pickleball and golf, too). A hidden drawcord in the thick, comfy waistband lets you customize the fit. Like the Athleta Advantage Skort, the shorts tend to peek out from underneath the skirt (although silicone grippers do their job preventing the shorts from riding up). This also might be a tad short for longer legs, especially if you want it to pull double-duty as a golf skirt (since golf courses may have more modest dress clothes than the tennis courts). Price at time of publish: $88 Sizes: 0 to 14 | Colors: 3 | Material: 86% Polyester, 14% Elastane How to Style Tennis Skirts Now that you’ve got the perfect tennis skirt picked out, it’s time to build the rest of your outfit. Here are editor-approved ideas for styling tennis skirts. On the Court When you’re actually serving up a match, functionality has to take priority. Opt for a form-fitting top in a sweat-wicking material to keep you dry, cool, and free of distractions (we like this one from Athleta). Add a hat or visor to keep the sun out of your eyes — bonus points if it has a wide opening for your ponytail, like this one from Lululemon. Finally, you’ll need supportive shoes they let you switch directions without twisting an ankle; these Nike Court are our favorites right now. Off the Court Call this the Meredith Blake-inspired look (and if you don’t get this reference, it’s time to rewatch The Parent Trap). Lean into the prep by topping your tennis skirt with a lightweight V-neck sweater (like this one from Vuori) or a classic collared polo shirt from Outdoor Voices. Slide into affordable slouchy socks and white tennis shoes, and accessorize with classic gold hoops. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit