Every sport has its fashion trophy—a reliable wardrobe staple that always feels right, enhancing both your mood and your performance. For tennis, it’s the dress. This quintessential court staple is celebrated not only for its versatility (toss a chevron-stripe sweater on top and you’re instantly ready for a post-game lunch), but also the vast range of styles that go from preppy adjacent to sport-forward. If you want to get in on the tennis look, it starts with this key piece.
Vogue’s Favorite Tennis Dresses:
Retro athletic attire has been a welcome trend for a while now, primarily courtesy of Tory Burch and Staud Sport for their vintage-inspired designs. For heritage sports brands like Nike, Lacoste, and Wilson, the tennis dress has always been a staple; but emerging brands such as Serves and Sporty & Rich have taken it in a trendier direction with more street style appeal. Alo Yoga and Lululemon’s technically advanced styles appeal to players looking to improve their performances, while also providing an elevated ensemble that’s spot-on for days where your time is split between the tennis club, errands, and maybe a quick coffee catch up. Pair any of these options with a sporty white sneaker or, perhaps, a tennis bracelet for a little shine, and you’ll be court ready.
Read on to discover 32 of the season’s best tennis dresses, below.
Classic Whites
Channel the Wimbledon ethos of head-to-toe tennis whites when stepping out onto the court, with preppy polo collars or racerback tanks. Tory Burch’s chic all-white, A-line dress is a favorite pick, as is Alo Yoga’s dress made of soft brushed jersey that also includes a built-in bra. Keep things on theme by finishing off with a bright white sneaker and ball cap.
Retro Styles
Chevron stripes, pleated skirts, and drop waists are iconic tennis attire features of decades past and present. Luxury designers are also bringing retro aesthetics to the forefront: Consider Miu Miu’s tennis dress in collaboration with New Balance and tennis star Coco Gauff, rendered in navy, white, and red and featuring an accordion pleat detail.
The Exercise Dress
Performance-grade dresses with sweat-wicking fabrics and built-in sports bras and shorts will get you one step closer to smashing that overhead lob without skimping on style. Rhone’s “course to court” dress is made from the label’s quick-dry fabric and includes built-in shorts to easily stow tennis balls in between serves.
Collared
For an emphasis on preppy silhouettes, slip into a collared tennis dress. Post-game, you can easily throw a V-neck sweater over your shoulders for a country club-ready look. Wilson’s white performance dress delivers timeless appeal with its striped collar and panel of pleats, while Ralph Lauren’s graphic zip-up detail offers a pop of optic yellow, channeling the tennis ball’s signature fluorescent hue.
Heritage Sportswear
If you’re not sure which athletic dress style you feel most aligned with, begin with a classic pick from a heritage sportswear label. These legacy brands have perfected design details that look (and perform!) optimally during practice. Lacoste boasts a wide assortment of pleated tennis dresses in bright color block shades to breezy spring pastels (this off-white is a current favorite). If you’re looking for a classic look, channel your inner Serena Williams in one of Nike’s classic tennis dresses or Polo’s short-sleeve dresses.
Pleats
The beloved tennis pleat is equally charming on the court as it is off. This design detail looks great as a tennis skirt, but a pleated dress should also be in your repertoire of tennis clothes (and other sportswear). Tory Burch’s drop-waist version features a preppy V-neckline, burgundy-and-white palette, and elegant pleats on the bottom; it’s a must have for any burgeoning tennis star.
Sporty Striping
Kick your tennis attire into high gear with a mini dress that includes striping and piping. The timeless pattern is the easiest way to imbue your look with the sport’s preppy aesthetic. For a graphic workout dress that embodies this look, consider The Upside’s tennis dress crafted in white, navy, and brown (with a built-in skort); the color-averse might prefer something even simpler, like these picks from Staud and Splits59—both of which pair nicely with crisp white tennis shoes.
Little Black (Tennis) Dress
While you can’t go wrong with a classic white palette, a little black tennis dress is equally as versatile. We love Beyond Yoga’s lightweight, moisture-wicking tank dress to pair nicely with all of your tennis accessories. For a more sculpted look, consider Alo Yoga’s version, designed with contrasting white piping along the chest and waistline. Lululemon’s Align activewear dress is crafted from the brand’s super-soft and breathable fabric—the same used for its bestseller leggings—with a subtle open back.
