The US Open is in full swing and we couldn't be more excited! I don't know about you, but watching the on-court action makes us want to serve up some tennis-inspired looks. For women, it's all about the cute tennis outfit with tennis skirts and matching sets being a major focus - and don't forget your accessories.
Dressing the part is almost as fun as playing the game, and chic tenniscore is definitely in vogue right now. In fact, ever since we watched Zendaya in the tennis movie Challengers, we've been desperate to wear a skort and hit a few balls.
We've picked out the perfect tennis gear - and accessories - to help you ace your match day look or to your inner Emma Raducanu.
Top tennis outfit pics - at a glance
- Stylish tennis skirt: Lululemon Tennis Skirt, £65 / $88
- Ace tennis dress: Slazenger Tennis Dress
- The star tennis buy: Ralph Lauren Jacket, £189
- Top trouser two-piece: Exeat The Tryst Tennis Tracksuit
- Tennis accessory obsession: Etsy tennis racket necklace, £151.98 / from $180
SQUIRREL_ANCHOR_LIST
What are the key tennis outfit trends for 2024
We reached out to Laura Ward, the founder of chic but functional tennis wear brand EXEAT and she told us: "I think 2024 is going to go down in the history books as the year the tennis aesthetic went mainstream.
"We've got Zendaya and her stylist Law Roach to thank for that on the fashion pages combined with the next generation of social media savvy tennis greats emerging at the slams and blowing up all over TikTok so it's a really exciting moment for the sport.
© Getty Images"Off court, it's now absolutely acceptable to sport a full tennis look as a chic off-duty uniform. Think about pairing an A-line tennis dress spun from butter soft technical fabric with a preppy cable knit slung over the shoulders and a retro converse tennis shoe or a sharply pleated skirt tucked into a crisp cotton polo shirt with white crew socks and Chanel ballet pumps. The overall effect is effortlessly elegant with lashings of quiet luxury."
© EXEATLaura continued: "The great news for fashion fans is that there's finally an abundance of choice when it come to tennis apparel. Most of the major sports brands are now running really considered tennis apparel collections which is great to see and quite a few fashion houses are now diversifying to jump on the trend. The more the merrier as far as i'm concerned as tennis and it's rich sartorial heritage (even the original fashion influencer Marie Antoinette was a fan!) deserves to be revelled in."
Stylish tennis players to inspire you
Serena Williams was known for her eclectic on-court style during her sporting career (as well as being a powerhouse of a player, of course!), and 21-year-old Emma Raducanu is making her mark in the style stakes, with sponsorships from Nike and Tiffany & Co. Other style stars on and off the court include Naomi Osaka and her love of neon and bright colours.
© Mike StobeBack in the day, Steffi Graf brought floral prints to the court and Anna Kournikova caused headlines with her on-court style.
© Getty ImagesWho has Laura got her sights on for 2024? Who will bring their A-game on the court this year? She told us: "The 20 year old American tennis sensation Coco Gauff who is already emerging as a style icon on and off court. She won the US Open when she was 19 and is currently ranked #2 in the world. Coco is already the stuff of legends on the tour and every major brand and fashion house is clamouring to work with her. I'm so excited to watch her."
© Getty ImagesHow we chose the best tennis outfits for women
- Style: While sweat-wicking properties are all well and good - and included in the below choices - this edit is mainly about finding chic and stylish outfits to wear on the court.
- Inclusive sizing: We wanted this edit to be for everyone, which is why many of the brands featured cater for all sizes.
- Variety: Some women might want to wear a tennis dress, others might prefer a tennis skirt or a cool tennis-themed sweatshirt - this edit features a wide range of options.
Let us serve you the best tennis outfits for women in 2024…
Tennis skirts and skorts
We asked for advice on how to style the iconic tennis skirt, and Laura told us: "The most important thing about choosing a tennis skirt is to pay attention to the pleating and choose a formation that's going to flatter your body type. Generally speaking, thin 'knife' pleats (the ones that all point in the same direction and look like a concertina when pulled out) suit most figures and bestow a sleek 'n' chic fluidity across your lower half, where as wider pleats can add unwanted bulk and flounce. Pair with a tucked in polo shirt for a super polished court ready silhouette."
When shopping for a tennis skirt you want space to twist and drive that forehand, also room to store your tennis balls is a bonus. Look out for flared and pleated designs that set you free to run, turn, swing and pivot.
Nike Women's Tennis Skirt
© NikeA 'mango' tennis skort, anyone? Yes please. Nike is a great destination for tennis outfits with its NikeCourt Slam collection.
New for this year you have this stretchy, easy-fitting tennis skirt. It comes complete with drop-in pockets on the internal shorts let you keep your essentials close.
Adidas AEROREADY Pro Print Skirt
© AdidasThe double-layer design of this Adidas skirt is backed up by moisture-wicking AEROREADY and stretchy inner shorts, it'll ensure you always bring your A-game to court.
Lululemon Tennis Skirt
© LululemonLululemon is a great place to find cute tennis outfits for women - especially skirts! The lightweight design on this flowy tennis skirt will help you feel focused and agile on the court.
Fabletics Hot Shot Pleated Skirt
© FableticsServe looks on or off the court by wearing this ultra high-waisted, pleated performance skirt with built-in shorts and a ball pocket. So chic.
Tennis dresses
According to Laura: "The joy of #tenniscore is that there is now so much choice when it comes to tennis dress silhouettes so spend some time picking out your perfect 'ball gown' and don't settle util you've hit peak fit. My top tip when it comes to styling is to think about what is going underneath it - some tennis dresses look incredible online, but once you've got them home you realise they are extremely sheer and that the barely there straps mean that underwear suddenly becomes a consideration as it will be on show. I find investing in simple plain white or skin tone sports bras can make most dresses very wearable and then I like to have fun with the shorts I wear underneath - a flash of neon or print is always good fun as are briefs with a joyful trim or even bikini bottoms. The only fashion rule here is to make sure there's good cheek coverage!"
Dresses with pleated skirts are very popular and will help you stand out on the court. Collared designs are great for smart country clubs and keep an eye out for mesh panels in order to give extra ventilation.
Slazenger Tennis Dress
© SlazengerThis Slazenger white tennis dress is a sleeveless style with a crew neckline for a classic look in a lightweight construction.
Sweaty Betty Power Match Point Pleat Tennis Dress
© Sweaty BettySweaty Betty's tennis outfits this year are so stylish! Within the tennis dress category you have this new pleated dress which is breathable and sweat-wicking. The ribbed collar gives it a classic feel and the A-line silhouette is extremely flattering.
Gym Shark Sweat Seamless Dress
© GymsharkThe website states that you'll look like a "total baddie" in this sweat proof dress from Gym Shark.
Polo tops and jackets
This is where you might want to look out for sweat-wicking material. You want to stay cool when the game starts to heat up.
Ralph Lauren x Wimbledon Ballperson Full-Zip Jacket
© Ralph LaurenRalph Lauren sponsors Wimbledon every year and this bomber jacket is part of the 2024 collection. It's so stylish!
Original Penguin Women's Tennis Jacket
© Original PenguinEveryone needs a water repellent jacket in their gym locker, and this one is ideal and it'll go with everything.
Matching tennis sets for ladies
Matching will never go out of style! And if you're into a cute two-piece, check out our faves below...
Exeat The Tryst Tennis Tracksuit
© ExeatCalling all tennis goddesses! Spun from ultra-luxe recycled Dupont yarns, this impossibly chic co-ord features oversized golden buttons, a very cool Peter Pan collar and flattering slim fit bottoms that have been specially constructed to visibly lengthen the leg.
The best bit? The trousers feature an oversized elasticated waistband that pulls double duty synching the waist and providing supportive comfort during play.
Alo Match Point Tennis Outfit
© AloHow cute is this little matching two-piece from Alo? Take your look from the court to post-practice plans in the Match Point Tennis Skirt with matching bra top. It has a boxer-style elastic waistband (so on-trend), built-in shorts with a side pocket, and a mini-length hem.
Sweaty Betty Power Match Point Pleat Tennis Matching Set
© Sweaty BettyOk, I'm obsessed with the colour of this two-piece from Sweaty Betty. Tennis. Padel. Pickleball. Whichever court you’re hitting this summer, ace your match day look with this two-piece (and there are matching socks, too!).
Tennis sweaters
The Upside Louie Cotton Sweater
© The UpsideThe Upside was founded by Australian model-turned-entrepreneur Jodhi Meares. The brand embraces technical fabrics with an expert attention to detail.
Joules Break Point Navy blue Knitted Tennis Jumper
© JoulesA very playful slogan jumper from Joules here! The knit is designed to be a statement layer and has a relaxed fit, raglan shoulders for a laid-back feel and slight volume in the sleeves.
The best bit - stylish tennis accessories
I just love a tennis accessory. Whether it's a chic tennis racket bag, a cute towel, a visor and even tennis jewellery (sorry, but if you know you know).
Helios Gold 14k Tennis Racket Necklace
© Helios GoldIf you're wearing a tennis outfit for more of a fashion look, why not accessorise accordingly? This cute tennis racket necklace is top of the wish list.
Anya Hindmarch Bespoke Walton Tennis Bag
The Anya Hindmarch Bespoke Walton Tennis Bag is a classic sports accessory that will get you noticed as you rock up to court. It's designed to fit one standard-sized racquet in the outer pocket and has a detachable compartment for your tennis balls. Plus for the finishing touch, you can personalise the front with your choice of initials.
Amazon Sun Visor Cap
© AmazonA sun visor is a must - when the sun comes out to play, that is.
Meet the expert: Laura Ward
© EXEATUK entrepreneur Laura Ward is the founder of EXEAT, the world’s best-selling luxury British court wear brand for women. Since the brand’s inception in 2021, Laura has revolutionised the global tennis apparel market, and has been dubbed ‘the fashion editor’s favourite tennis brand’.
This unparalleled success hasn’t gone unnoticed. With her string of accolades that include ‘Global Start-Up of The Year’ and ‘Start-Up Entrepreneur of The Year.
Laura has grown up playing the sport and is a champion of how tennis unites people on the court with EXEAT’s famously flattering silhouettes making women feel beautiful and supported, enabling them to play their best game.
