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Written by Maye Phavika, a serious tennis player sharing from real experience.
Ajarn Maye in Wakingbee’s Tennis Outfit
After deciding and setting a goal for myself that this is the year I’ll seriously start playing tennis! 🎾🤏🏻
Naturally, the first thing that happens after getting a racket isn’t practicing, booking a court, or finding a coach. It’s finding the right outfit, of course! Lol.
It's that feeling of "I don't know if I can play yet, but the outfit has to be perfect." Hahaha.
A 1-Year Lesson: Tennis Outfits Must Feel Good, Confident, and Not Constricting
For me, tennis is a sport where dressing up is so much fun. There are endless ways to match—skirts, shorts, and so many top silhouettes to choose from. Just thinking about it is exciting, so how could I not buy new outfits often? :P
After playing for a full year and going through a lot of trial and error, I’ve bought many workout clothes—including those from famous international apps with ultra low prices. One thing I discovered is that not every outfit makes you feel good or confident. That "feeling" is so important! 😀
So, I want to share this with the people who love tennis just as much. Hopefully, this will be helpful in choosing the right outfit for yourself—one that lets you move freely, look beautiful in your own way, and offers functional features that aren't hot or suffocating.
A Winning Tennis Top Needs a Sports Bra and…
In terms of tops, the tennis shirts I usually wear fall into two main categories:
1. Tops with a built-in sports bra: The one-piece wonder.
On hot days or when I don’t want to overthink it, grabbing a top with a built-in sports bra is just easy and done. :)
2. An outer shirt paired with a separate sports bra.
Personally, I think the fun part is finding an outer layer to pair with a sports bra. It gives off a different kind of "classy" vibe specific to tennis. Usually, for yoga or Pilates, I’d just stick to a sports bra as the main piece.
If I go for an "all-white" look, it feels like I’m playing at Wimbledon. If the outer shirt has a little gimmick that shows the color of the sports bra underneath, it makes dressing up even more fun.
Not Just Any Sports Bra—It Must Give Shoulders Freedom
I’ve seriously discovered that the silhouette of the shirt and sports bra really affects your play. After trying many styles, you start to know which cut fits your body.
I choose designs where the straps aren’t too tight. Tennis involves a lot of shoulder rotation, so I always pick pieces that make my shoulders feel comfortable.
I have some sports bras that feel fine for yoga, but when I wear them for tennis, they feel suffocating and stiff. Every time I wear them, my swing isn't smooth. At first, I thought I was just making excuses for playing poorly, lol. But after trying them several times, I realized: No, I wasn't imagining it. The feeling was truly off. 😂
Bottoms for Confidence: Skort Are Best for Fluid Play
For the bottom half, I mostly choose skirts with built-in inner shorts because they are convenient and offer a "one-and-done" solution.
Sometimes I wear shorts, but occasionally wide-leg shorts require extra caution when bending over to pick up tennis balls. As for tight-fitting biker shorts, they don't feel quite right for tennis; they seem better suited for cycling or weightlifting. For me, a "skort" (skirt-shorts) is the best answer for tennis.
I’ve tried long leggings too, but I found... they don't work. 😂 It’s just way too hot in the Thai climate. Lol. But if I were playing in a cold country, leggings would definitely be a choice.
Tennis skirts with built-in inner shorts—convenient and complete in one piece.
Choose Bottoms Wisely: Proper Fit and Quality Stitching
I personally love wearing skirts/skorts for tennis. I've noticed that budget-friendly ones often don't fit my body perfectly. It’s better to choose high-quality pieces that aren't too cheap. Besides lasting longer—which fits the "sustainable tennis" trend—you'll feel more confident while walking, living your life, and playing.
However, a skirt that is too flowy isn't great either, lol. Sometimes, especially during a backhand, my hand catches on the skirt, preventing a full swing. So, when choosing a skirt, I look for one that fits snugly around the waist so it doesn't flare out excessively when I rotate.
For shorts, the most important thing is high-quality fabric and stitching to ensure a perfect fit that doesn't ride up or cause discomfort. All these factors affect your confidence when wearing them.
Functionality Is a Must
One more thing for a tennis skirt—if it has this, I give it full marks: Does it have a pocket for tennis balls? Lol. Because when playing, you need to tuck balls away so you don't have to keep running to retrieve them. This is very practical.
Tennis skirts that aren't too flowy but still allow for easy movement.
Thin Fabric Doesn't Always Mean Better Breathability
If I could tell my past self one thing before all this trial and error, it would be: Please prioritize the fabric! Whether it’s tops or bottoms, thin fabric doesn't always mean it's good at wicking sweat.
You should check if the fabric is actually breathable and sweat-wicking. Specifically, for specialized activewear brands, they will have technology to reduce the temperature you feel, providing a cooling effect.
I used to misunderstand and think thin fabric was enough because I don't usually sweat a lot; a little fan or AC and I'm dry. But tennis is another level. The sun is strong, and you're constantly running. If the fabric doesn't dry quickly, you'll feel sticky and miserable while playing. 😭
Seams and Stitching: The Sign of Quality
Next is the matter of seams and stitching. It might sound like a small detail, but it has a huge impact. As I mentioned, I've tried many brands, both local and international, at all price points. The stitching is what really indicates quality.
Some pieces have shorts that keep riding up, or they feel like they might rip when you pull on them. Since tennis skirts are short, it’s best if the inner shorts stay in place. You shouldn't have to keep pulling them down or worrying about exposure, which ruins your personality. Ultimately, no matter how beautiful the design is, it won't fit your form properly if the quality isn't there.
Don’t Let a Beautiful Outfit Fail Because of Wrinkles
Another thing I usually prioritize but forgot to check with activewear at first: the fabric must not wrinkle easily. As someone who hates ironing, I want to be able to wash a piece and just put it on.
Actually, many activewear brands don't wrinkle much, but some high-priced brands still use fabric that looks wrinkled. This affects both your convenience and how good you look when wearing it.
Tennis Outfits Must Be Wearable Off-Court
Another personal insight that is a "big plus" for me is activewear designed for a lifestyle look—not too revealing or flashy. There are many times I want to go grab a meal or coffee after a match. If I can wear the same outfit without having to change, and without people wondering "what is she wearing?", that is amazing. I love it. 🥹✨
Finally, I want to say that playing tennis makes matching outfits so much fun. Just taking the same top and swapping it with a different skirt or pair of shorts changes the whole vibe.
And it's not just the clothes—matching the color of your socks to your outfit is fun too. It’s a small detail that makes me feel good, boosts my confidence, and truly makes the game more enjoyable.✨
Click to shop Wakingbee Tennis Wear.
Writer: May Phavika, a serious tennis player sharing from real experience.
Editor: Chalakorn Berg, who formatted and optimized this article so you could find this useful advice from May easily, complete with beautiful photos and shop-ready links.
Support: Wakingbee, the brand that gives full creative freedom. Their products are so good that writing about them perfectly aligns with the brand's intentions. For your next tennis outfit, it has to be high quality from here.