Reviewed and Tested: Top 9 Tennis Skirts for 2023

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From my first tennis clinic as a six-year-old, I’ve enjoyed hitting the court with a racquet in hand. Today, playing tennis is both a fun workout and a great way to socialize. With tennis-core being a trendy athletic-inspired style, I'm excited about taking advantage of wearing double-duty outfits like skorts, tops, and dresses to tennis lessons and brunch dates. Pleated mini-skirts, form-fitting dresses with built-in shorts, and chunky tennis shoes with crew socks are among my favorite pieces. Whether you choose to wear one or all of these, the tennis-inspired wardrobe staples will make your outfits functional both on and off the court.

When heading to the court, make sure to wear skirts and dresses with built-in shorts to avoid wardrobe malfunctions. Opt for shorts with grippers under the hem to keep them in place, and don't forget pockets ideal for holding a tennis ball. Whichever top you decide on, choose lightweight, sweat-wicking materials to keep you dry.

To help those looking for the best tennis skirts, I've rounded up my top favorites, personally tested and highly-reviewed by fellow editors.

This budget-friendly tennis skirt from ATHVOTAR is an editor favorite and perfect for those just starting to explore skorts. It's cute enough for social events but also functional enough to wear while running errands. The elastic waistband ensures the skort stays put without being too compressive. Additionally, the built-in shorts don’t ride up or dig into your skin, maximizing comfort. With twenty-six colors to choose from, you're guaranteed to find a style that fits your personal taste.

If you're under 5’3'', the Halara tennis skirt is ideal for petite gals, while the Cloudful Air Crossover Tennis Skirt in Longer is a great option for taller individuals.

Amazon shoppers on a budget will appreciate the BALEAF pleated tennis skirt. This skort is affordable and has must-have features like built-in shorts, wide waistband, and functional pockets. However, it goes above and beyond with some additional features like flowy pleats and a mesh liner helping with breathability and ventilation. BALEAF has also added an adjustable waistband to help get the perfect fit. While this skirt doesn't have grippers like the Athleta Advantage Skort, the silicone strip on the shorts helps keep them in place. Make sure to check your measurements against the size chart as the BALEAF brand tends to run small.

The classic Wilson tennis skirt is a personal favorite as it provides a traditional yet stylish look. With its color-blocked waistband stripes, this skirt gives off varsity vibes. More importantly, the built-in shorts have a pocket perfect for tennis balls, which makes it a game-changer on the court. Also, the pleats move with me, feeling lightweight and floaty, without getting in the way, or slowing me down. However, if you don't like compression, the waistband may feel a little tight, so keep that in mind when choosing this skirt.

Good news! Tennis skirts can double as loungewear with the right fabric. Outdoor Voices' FreeForm material is stretchy and soft to the touch, moving with you while still staying close to your body, creating a more polished look than baggy sweat shorts. The skirt also has two side slits, which allow for freedom of movement and an opportunity to show off a little leg!

However, the inner shorts of the skirt can be slightly uncomfortable, riding up while in motion. But don't worry, the shorts have grippers sewn into the hems that keep them in place. The built-in shorts can be a bit longer for personal preference and to create a more streamlined look, but the Advantage Skort comes recommended by Shape senior commerce editor Shannon Bauer, who praises its business in the front, party in the back style. The skort has a small zipper pocket on the side, as well as two pockets in the shorts that are large enough for tennis balls.

The Court Skort, also by Outdoor Voices, offers medium compression for a snug feeling and includes a mid-weight textured fabric and built-in shorts that provide a subtle booty lift. The skort is durable and sweat-wicking but may not be ideal for high-sweat activities due to its thickness.

Fearful of the trend due to height? No problem! The viral Alo Yoga Match Point Tennis Skirt includes a range of sizes and exact specs for length. The built-in shorts and pockets are present and perfect for a sporty-chic design. However, the waistband is thinner than others, and Alo Yoga's size range can be limited, with only a size large as the largest option available for this skirt.

All in all, tennis skirts can be versatile and comfortable, with multiple options available to fit any preference and style.

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.

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). 

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.

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. 

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.