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I Tried A Bunch Of Cute Pickleball Outfits – Here Were My Favorites
Y’all, there is a lot of pickleball fashion out there, and I tried on all of it (including a million dresses that didn’t feel like “me” but were so cute). People are wearing it everywhere – less so in Portland, but when I was in New York and recently up in the San Juan Islands. I took note!! The skirt is having a moment, for sure, and while athleisure is changing a lot right now, I’m mostly interested in what I feel comfortable in that I’ll look forward to putting on my body. If I lived in LA, I’d likely go a little more fashion-forward because you wear your pickleball outfits around town afterwards, but here I’m less motivated to wear a whole curated outfit and instead like to look more casual.
Anthro Jacket | Anthro Shorts | Socks | Shoes | Recess Paddle
That being said, that set above is SO CUTE with the shorts being something that I would wear often, and I’d separate the two easily, obviously.
Hat (similar) | Anthro Jacket | Anthro Skirt | Blue Top | Socks | Shoes | Recess Paddle
The varsity trend is certainly still thriving – it’s so cute, but feels less me (I like the skirt so much in theory, but I prefer shorts on me :)). This skirt had a great waistband (wide and not too tight) and was generally really flirty and fun to wear. And those are my new favorite all-day, every-day Nike shoes. So comfortable, and I’m feeling this cross-trainer trend.
Nike Sports Bra | Nike Skirt | Muscle Tank | Socks | Nike Shoes | Recess Paddle
This was my favorite look for sure that felt the most “me” – the Nike skirt (with shorts underneath) was really comfortable and flattering (and still felt athletic, easy to move in with a really nice soft fabric). I liked that it wasn’t pleated (I think the pleats might be too preppy for my style?) and instead it’s a fit and flare. I’m wearing the matching bra here, which I LOVE, and most people would just flex the matching set. But I love throwing this muscle shirt over it (I want to buy this in a few colors) – it’s loose, a bit see-through, has a big open sleeve that feels edgy but with the modesty that I clearly prefer.
Nike Sports Bra | Nike Skirt | Muscle Tank | Socks | Nike Shoes | Recess Paddle
We all went wild over these shoes – Kaitlin even took them home for her birthday lol (and I’m likely going to re-buy them for me because seeing them here, I want them back and loved how they worked with the colors of the skirt).
Fabletics Jacket | Leopard Cap Sleeve Top | Fabletics Skirt | Alo Skirt (simlilar) | Socks | Shoes
This was me trying the butter yellow trend (they were out of the matching skirt in-store, so buy online if you want to go full butter). That jacket was a really cute cut and comes in a billion colors. The skirt I’m wearing is Fabletics, but their membership makes it a little hard to buy, so I’m also linking up Alo (I loved their black skirt slightly more, but didn’t shoot both and chose to feature this because it was more affordable). So if you have a subscription to Fabletics, great, but if not, the Alo skirt was extremely good. This look didn’t feel totally like me, but I liked all the pieces individually a lot.
Leopard Cap Sleeve Top | Fabletics Skirt | Alo Skirt (simlilar) | Shoes | Recess Paddle
I did make a couple of purchases from PE Nation, which is an athletic brand that I love for being more fashion-forward but still performance wear. I bought this leopard top with matching biker shorts – I wore the top during our 5-night cycling tour through the San Juans, which I have yet to tell you about, and it made me feel so good, stayed put, and I felt like me (but with padded shorts, lol). And no, you don’t wear those Nikes for pickleball, but they are rad and are great street shoes for fall.
Berlook Top | Berlook Skirt | Socks | Shoes | Recess Paddle
This set is super cute, full coverage up top, and the waist on the skirt stayed put.
Jacket | Blue Top | Skort | Socks | Nike Shoes | Recess Paddle
While I’m not this preppy, everyone loved this skirt with the little slit. If I were going on a pickleball date, this might be the outfit :) That workout T-shirt is excellent BTW for those of us who don’t love tiny tanks but don’t want to wear a baggy T-shirt all the time. It has a nice structure and a good cut.
Hat (similar) | Sweatshirt (similar) | Blue Top | Skort | Socks | Shoes | Recess Paddle
Aerie has so many shorts that give “skirt” that are so affordable in a lot of different colors. If you want to dabble in the skirt but still have them be shorts, I loved these. Super soft, didn’t cut in at the waist (I was wearing a small, but the mediums fit, too, just longer).
Hat (similar) | Sweatshirt | Blue Top | Skort | Socks | Shoes | Recess Paddle
Curious if you guys are playing pickleball, and if so, are you embracing the fashion culture around it? Or just wearing your favorite workout clothes on the court? Everything seems to be flying off the shelf, and I feel very late to this game. LMK :)
*Photos by Kaitlin Green
No pickleball where I live, super cute outfits though. What I want to know is how do you get your legs that toned??? Please, please, fill us in. Been reading the blog for twelve years at least, and still
do every day! You’re one of the most authentic voices out there: congratulations on staying relevant and real. Now, the legs, please!
Here is WA state (the home of pickleball) Lots of pickleball, new courts, groups. But as I play with the retirees, mostly workout clothes. Really enjoying your series about it.
I want to hear about your cycling trip, please!
I play pickleball and see a huge range of clothing on the courts. I am most comfortable in a skort and a regular workout shirt made of performance fabric. I always wear a hat and sunglasses and sturdy court shoes. When the weather is cooler, I wear joggers with the same type of shirt but long sleeves.
Be aware that none of these shoe options were designed for tennis courts or provide lateral support which is needed for the side-to-side movement of playing pickleball. Doesn’t seem like a big deal but you likely will experience knee and/or ankle pain, or sprained ankles. FWIW I am a pickleball/tennis player who used to sell athletic shoes.
My daughter plays tennis and it is SO HARD to find true “tennis” shoes – I never realized how much that description got generalized over the years until I tried buy appropriate ones for the sport. Thanks for mentioning this.
I came to the comments to say exactly this. There are a lot of injuries in pickleball. Incorrect footwear makes injures more likely. Please have fun and be careful.
Love pickleball and play often. Court shoes are important as well as pickleball glasses.
Both have saved me from injuries. Skorts, hat, wicking shirts are the best for me.
Enjoy this very fun and social game.
Let me know if you need a partner some time.
I plan tons of pickleball in California and Hawaii. You’ll want to wear 1) real court shoes, 2) eye protection, 3) head to toe sun protection.
Details on the cycling trip please!
I live in NYC where pickleball is controversial. Conflicts are breaking out between groups of adults wanting to play pickle ball and families with children who want to use the same sports/play spaces.
I don’t know if this is pushing people back to traditional tennis, or if it’s just spillover, but tennis has become really popular again – and those people are the ones I find wear skirts and preppy outfits. The pickleball people tend to wear regular gym clothes, at least in my neighborhood.
Same with the conflict in my town! Municipalities have been booting out longstanding user groups (youth roller hockey, women’s roller derby) so that the spaces can be used by pickleballers….who are notably an older, wealthier, whiter crowd. Unfortunate. The style is super cute though!