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My tennis career technically started in high school, when a coach recruited me to play. I quit before the season started because the school play conflicted with practice, and honestly — I regret nothing. Theatre was the right call.
Tennis and I found each other again about eleven years ago, when I started playing with Jake. And if I’m being completely honest, the early days were rough. He used to have to drag me onto the court because I was so frustrated that I couldn’t beat him. We are competitive about everything — I mean everything — and losing to your own partner repeatedly does something to you. I almost quit more than once.
I didn’t. I kept getting better, and better, and now we are pretty even. I’m calling that a victory.
These days we play as much as life allows — three or four times a week in the summer. My daughter has started playing too, and getting to share the court with her is one of my favorite things. Jake, for his part, has recently decided that pickleball is his true calling. I love him. He’s wrong.
I’m writing this post specifically for the recreational players out there — women over 40 who pick up a racket because they genuinely love the game, not because they’re trying to go pro. One of the best things about tennis is that it’s a sport you can play your entire life. It grows with you. Your fashion absolutely should too.
Here’s everything I’m wearing — and obsessing over — on and around the court right now.
The Fits
Let’s start with the most important part. The right tennis outfit does two things: it moves with you and it looks intentional. Gone are the days of generic athletic shorts and a ratty t-shirt — the tennis fashion world has fully arrived, and the options on Amazon right now are genuinely impressive.
Here are the 3 outfits I’m currently rotating through (and linking everything below):
Look 1: The Classic — Black and White Color Block Dress
You can’t go wrong with black and white on the court. This sleeveless racerback dress with the white side panel detail is clean, classic, and photographs beautifully. The color blocking gives it just enough visual interest without going overboard, and the racerback cut means you’ll have full range of motion through every serve. This is my “always reliable” pick — the outfit equivalent of a baseline strategy that just works.
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- Black and white color block racerback tennis dress Shop here
Look 2: The Power Move — Red Pleated Dress
There is something about walking onto the court in red that just shifts your energy. This pleated dress is dramatic in the best way — the deep red, the sweetheart neckline, the full pleated skirt with the built-in shorts underneath. It’s the kind of outfit that makes people assume you’re better at tennis than you are, which I am fully in support of. (And then you back it up.)
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- Red pleated tennis dress Shop here
Look 3: The Fan Favorite — Green and White 2-Piece Set
Sometimes you just want a color that makes you happy, and this green does that. The white trim brings it back to classic tennis territory without making it feel too safe. Mesh back, streamlined fit, and that green is genuinely gorgeous in outdoor court lighting. If you’re a person who gets compliments on court, this is going to be the one.
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- Green and white racerback tennis set Shop here
Honorable mentions:
I already have so many tennis outfits and I just didn’t have any more room in my closet but I felt the need to share these adorable outfits too!
Caracilia Women’s 2 Piece Tennis Dress Set – Shop here
Yousify Womens Two Piece Skirt Sets – Shop here
IUK Womens 2-Piece Tennis Set – Shop here
The Accessories
Accessories are where the tennis player aesthetic really comes together — and where it gets fun. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for the perfect gift for a fellow player, this is the section you’re going to want to save.
On the Court
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- Tennis print microfiber towel — for wiping down your grip between games. Functional and cute, which is the only kind of functional I’m interested in. Shop here
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- Black transparent tennis visor — keeps the sun out of your eyes, looks great in photos. Essential summer court accessory. Shop here
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- Pink quilted tennis bag — holds your rackets, shoes, and all the extras. The quilted detail makes it look like something you’d carry off the court too, which honestly you will. Shop here
The Fun Stuff
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- Gold tennis racket charm necklace — a delicate gold chain with a tiny tennis racket charm. Wear it on the court, wear it off the court, wear it to remind people that tennis is your whole personality. Shop here
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- Tennis racket keychain with ball — the smallest, most joyful accessory on this list. Shop here
For the Love of the Game
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- “Smells Like The Sweet Scent Of My Tennis Victory” candle — I need to say nothing more. This is the candle you light after winning. Or after a really good game. Or honestly just because. Shop here
The Beauty Edit
Playing tennis outdoors means sun exposure, sweat, and the particular chaos of what happens to your hair when you’re actually trying to hit something. Here’s what I’m reaching for before and during a game.
SPF — Non-Negotiable
I cannot stress this enough: if you are playing outdoors, you are wearing sunscreen. Full stop. As someone who plays multiple times a week in the summer, this is the hill I will die on. Here are my current favorites:
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Kopari Sunglaze Body Gel Cream Sunscreen SPF 50+
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- Hyaluronic acid helps hydrate and plump, coconut oil nourishes, and niacinamide supports even skin tone and smooth texture.
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Naked Sundays Cabana Clear Water Gel SPF 50 —
- LIGHTWEIGHT GLOW SUNSCREEN – SPF 50 broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection in a weightless water-gel serum—the glow formula that actually feels like skincare, not sunscreen Shop here
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Court-Ready Beauty
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- Kitsch Taming Wand — this is the secret weapon. You know those flyaways and baby hairs that go absolutely rogue after an hour of running around a court? This tames them instantly. I keep one in my tennis bag now. Shop here
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- Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil — I’m not going full glam on the court, but a little color goes a long way. These are lightweight, comfortable, and the shades they offer are exactly the kind of your-lips-but-better options that look great in outdoor light without feeling like you tried too hard. Shop here
Stay Hydrated (In Style)
Tennis is physical. It’s hot. Hydration is not optional. But that doesn’t mean your water bottle has to be boring about it.
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- Sandjest “Live Love Tennis” tumbler — the green colorway with the bow detail is so cute I almost don’t want to put it down between points. Almost. Shop here
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- Tennis ball print glass cups set — for off-court hydration because the commitment to the theme doesn’t stop when you leave the court. Shop here
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- “Tear of the People I Beat at Tennis” tumbler — I refuse to explain why I love this. You either get it or you don’t. Shop here
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- Swig tennis racket print tumbler — the pink handle and the tennis racket print pattern is genuinely one of the best things I’ve seen on Amazon. Shop here
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- Sandjest tennis racket and bow print water bottle — the blue lid, the white bottle, the delicate bow and racket print. It’s giving Wimbledon in the best way. Shop here
These also make excellent gifts for the tennis player in your life — just saying.
Shop Everything
Everything linked in this post is available through my Amazon Storefront — I’ve got it all organized so you can find it easily. If you’re building out your court wardrobe from scratch or just looking for one great piece to add to the rotation, it’s all there.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/theposhpanda39/list/ACNPAW15QUFR?ref_=aipsflist
If you’re a recreational player over 40, I hope this post felt like it was written for you — because it was. We don’t always see ourselves reflected in athletic fashion content, but we should. Tennis is for us. It’s always been for us.
Tell me in the comments: how long have you been playing? And are you team tennis or team pickleball? (The correct answer is tennis. Jake, if you’re reading this, I stand by it.)
And if you’re just getting into the game, welcome. The frustration is temporary. The love for it sticks around.
