Tennis outfit guide: what to wear on and off the court

What to wear to play tennis

Tennis asks for quick sideways movement, reaching overhead and a lot of sun, so the outfit has three jobs. The top should move freely at the shoulders and handle sweat: a technical T shirt, tank or polo, or a light cotton one for a casual hit. The bottom should let you lunge and sprint, and ideally hold a spare ball: a skirt or skort with built in shorts that have ball pockets, or shorts with deep pockets. Leggings and fitted bike shorts also work, especially on cool days.

Shoes matter most. Tennis shoes are built for side to side movement with support around the sides of the foot, while running shoes are designed to roll forward and can let an ankle tip over on a hard stop. Many courts, especially indoor ones and private clubs, require non marking soles: flat, fairly soft soles with a modest tread that will not scuff the surface. A quick check is to press a fingernail into the sole; a soft sole that dents slightly is usually non marking, and rubbing it on white paper should leave no mark. Add sports socks that come above the shoe collar, a cap or visor, and sunscreen.

Club dress codes and the all white rule

Public courts rarely have a dress code beyond proper shoes. Private clubs and resorts often ask for recognized tennis clothing, which usually means no jeans, cargo shorts, gym tanks with big cutouts or street sneakers, and some still require all white. When a friend invites you, ask what the club expects; it saves an awkward walk back to the car.

The strictest version is Wimbledon. Players must wear clothing that is almost entirely white, and white there does not include off white or cream. A single trim of color no wider than one centimeter is allowed in set places such as the neckline or cuffs, shoes must be almost entirely white, soles included, and caps, headbands and wristbands follow the same rule. Since 2023, women may wear solid mid or dark colored undershorts, a change made after players spoke about the stress of wearing white during their periods. The tradition goes back to Victorian tennis, when white was thought to hide sweat and visible perspiration was considered improper.

Tennis clothes have also shaped everyday fashion. In the 1920s the French champion Suzanne Lenglen played in short pleated white silk skirts, sleeveless cardigans and a headband designed with the couturier Jean Patou, which was scandalous at first and then copied all over Paris. René Lacoste popularized the short sleeved knit polo in the same era, and in the 1930s the British player Bunny Austin swapped long flannel trousers for shorts. Most of what we now call a tennis outfit comes from those three moves.

Tennis outfits for women

The classic women's tennis outfit is a pleated or A line skirt with built in shorts, a fitted tank or short sleeve top, and a supportive sports bra. Pick the skirt length you can lunge in comfortably, and check that the inner shorts stay put and have a pocket that actually holds a ball. A one piece tennis dress is the simplest option on hot days, and a matching set in a single color looks sharp in photos from the sidelines. For a cute tennis outfit that also feels current, try a white pleated skirt with a pale blue or sage fitted tank and white socks folded once above the shoe.

Plus size tennis outfits follow the same logic. Look for inner shorts long enough to prevent rubbing, a waistband that stays flat when you bend, and a bra that is supportive for running rather than for yoga. A longer skirt or a skort with a smooth front panel can feel more secure than a short flippy one. A black tennis outfit or other dark colors are welcome on most public courts and hide sweat marks, but will not pass at an all white club.

Tennis outfits for men

For men, a tennis outfit is a technical crew neck tee or a polo with a soft collar, and shorts that end around mid thigh to just above the knee, cut loose enough to lunge and with pockets deep enough that a ball does not bounce out. Very long basketball shorts and heavy cargo shorts get in the way of the swing and are not allowed at many clubs. Tennis socks with some cushioning and proper court shoes finish it.

For a sharper look at a club, go all white or white with navy: a white piqué polo, navy shorts, white socks and white shoes, with a white cap. On a public court with friends, a plain gray tee, black shorts and a colored cap are completely fine. Save the vintage style, a cable knit sweater over the shoulders or pleated shorts, for the walk to the court or the drinks after.

Dressing for heat and cool evenings

On hot days above about 85°F (29°C), lighter colors, loose or technical fabrics, a cap and plenty of water make the biggest difference. White reflects sun, which is one practical reason the tradition has lasted. Avoid heavy cotton that stays wet, and put on sunscreen before you dress so collars and straps do not leave unprotected strips.

For early mornings, evenings or spring and fall play around 50 to 60°F (10 to 16°C), wear a light zip jacket or a thin long sleeve layer over your top for the warm up, and take it off once you are moving. Leggings or a skirt over leggings keep legs warm. Our guides on what to wear in 60 degree weather and 80 degree weather help with the rest of the day.

Tennis skirt outfits off the court

The tennis look off the court is part preppy style and part sportswear, and it is easy to wear if you keep one sporty piece and make the rest a little more polished. For a tennis skirt outfit for class or brunch, wear a white pleated skirt with a cream cable knit sweater or a fine cardigan, white crew socks and loafers or clean white sneakers, with a small shoulder bag. In spring, swap the knit for a striped oxford shirt tucked in loosely. A navy or green pleated skirt with a white polo reads more grown up than all white.

For men, a white or cream knit polo with pleated chino shorts or relaxed cream trousers, white sneakers and a cable knit vest or sweater worn over the shoulders gives the country club feel without looking like a costume. Our guide to styling a sweater vest has more ideas. Whoever wears it, the look is about crisp white, soft knits and a relaxed posture, not about logos, so thrifted cable knits and plain polos work as well as anything new.

Keeping tennis clothes and shoes fresh

Technical tennis clothes hold on to sweat and sunscreen, which is what turns white collars and armpits gray. Wash them soon after playing, in cool or warm water as the label allows, skip fabric softener because it coats the fibers and traps odor, and air dry rather than tumble drying on high heat. Our guide to washing workout clothes covers the details.

White tennis clothes stay white longer if you wash them together and treat sunscreen marks before washing. Knock clay and grit out of your shoes after each session, let them dry away from direct heat, and clean the uppers regularly; the method in our guide to cleaning white sneakers works for most court shoes. Keeping court shoes for the court also protects their soles from outdoor wear that can make them mark.