Pickleball is a paddle sport that demands dynamic movements from your body. Lateral maneuvering of the court, stretching limbs, and running around to make the shot.
With such diverse movements on the court, it’s natural that your attire should match or at least complement and aid your movement.
Furthermore, pickleball also calls for attire that combines functionality with style. At a time when courtside fashion is becoming a trend rising trend, women participating in pickleball often opt for clothing that allows easy movement while maintaining comfort and flair on the court.
A typical pickleball outfit for women consists of moisture-wicking tops and bottoms crafted from breathable fabrics such as polyester or nylon. These materials help to keep the body cool and dry, which is necessary during intense gameplay.
On the other hand, tank tops or athletic t-shirts offer freedom of movement for swinging paddles and reaching across the court.
Pairing these tops with athletic shorts or skorts (a combination of shorts and a skirt) further enhances agility and flexibility, ensuring players can swiftly navigate the pickleball court.
We discuss women’s pickleball outfit staples in detail below and make some recommendations to illustrate the trending courtside fashion further.
Pickleball Style Guide
Women’s pickleball attire must prioritize comfort for optimal performance. However, performance doesn’t and shouldn’t have to compromise on style, especially if the presence of the latter brings out confidence and flair to help the former.
This is why an ideal pickleball outfit for women will seamlessly blend style and functionality. Tennis dresses for optimal stretch and movement are among the best examples of stylish athletic attire.
Footwear is a critical component of a pickleball ensemble, directly impacting performance and preventing injuries. Women often opt for tennis shoes or sneakers with supportive soles and excellent traction to stabilize during quick lateral movements and sudden stops. We will discuss pickleball shoes for women in detail below.
Accessories also play a role in the style and functionality of female pickleball players. Visors or hats help shield the eyes from the sun, enhancing visibility and preventing glare during outdoor matches. Additionally, wristbands or headbands absorb sweat, keeping hands and forehead dry for better grip and focus.
While functionality is non-negotiable, women often incorporate vibrant colors, patterns, and designs into their outfits, expressing their unique personalities while engaging in this dynamic sport.
There are several rules in fashion, but choosing attire that reflects personal style and preferences adds a touch of individuality. When it’s about individual expression, all rules dim.
Hence, you must be comfortable and feel good about what you’re wearing. We hope the presence of this blog doesn’t make you believe otherwise. That’s not the purpose of the blog. The blog is merely a guide for people who don’t know where to start.
So, if you’re looking for style inspiration, tie your shoelaces and get in. This will be long.
Pickleball Outfits for Women
Lacoste Women’s Sport Pleated Tennis Dress – $135.00
After our earlier commentary on style and functionality, it’s no surprise that we start our recommendations with a tennis dress.
The Lacoste Women’s Sport Pleated Dress is a versatile and stylish option for women’s pickleball outfits. It is an easy-to-wear one-piece with a sleeveless top part and a flowy ensemble below the waist to allow for a sufficient range of motion for the limbs. Whether serving, volleying, or sprinting to reach a shot, the dress enables quick and exaggerated mobility, enhancing your agility and performance.
Lacoste also constructed the dress from moisture-wicking fabric to keep the body dry and comfortable during long matches on hot days. Its innovative design has functionality with a touch of elegance, making it suitable for both on and off-the-court wear, ideal for the era of athleisure wear.
From a style perspective, the dress is chic enough to turn the eyes. The smart fit with Lacoste’s crocodile logo adds a hint of timelessness to your outfit, which is a sure way to stand out.
As someone who purchased and tried this dress, I can vouch for its comfort and durability. I paired it with a semi-dark visor and white tennis shoes and went for team dinner right after it without changing my outfit. It blended in the diner just as well as it looked on the court. I don’t think much needs to be said after this.
Wilson’s Birdie Knit Polo – $78.00
There are not many ways to go wrong with a polo. They’re comfortable, stylish, and light enough to let the skin breathe. Wilson’s Birdie Knit Polo is an ideal companion for hot days. The shirt is made from merino wool, renowned for its temperature-regulating qualities. This is extremely necessary if you’re competing and have to wait hours under the sun to play. The shirt is soft as if you’re not wearing anything, yet it protects you from temperature flairs.
The merino wool also has moisture-wicking properties to ensure that sweat is quickly dispersed, allowing for increased airflow and rapid evaporation, so you stay fresh even in hot and humid weather. The collar is a retro element that can be amazing for those with a classic aesthetic.
I had to adjust this shirt on this list of pickleball clothing for women because it’s the staple ingredient for a comfortable yet chic look. The polo provides enough coverage to move around comfortably while looking prim and proper. I don’t think it gets better than this.
Wilson’s Pintuck Shorts – $88.00
With their classic and tailored making, Wilson’s Pintuck Shorts is an effortless symbol of elegance and old money. The stark white formal-pants-cut-short style offers a range of technical benefits similar to today’s designs. These shorts are an optical illusion because I could’ve sworn they were made of cotton the first time I saw them. However, their part-polyester part-spandex build makes them moisture-resistant and stretchy, allowing maximum comfort on the court.
The spandex allows the body to move unrestricted to receive and hit shots. Meanwhile, the polyester keeps moisture from the body, ensuring you stay calm and collected on hotter days.
Despite the classic aesthetic, the shorts have an obscure zip pocket in the back to store small things. This practical detail enhances the convenience and versatility of the shorts, allowing you to focus on your game without worrying about misplaced items. Wilson also uses anti-odor fabric to ensure its clothes last longer. This is even better as you can dedicate hours to pickleball without worrying about the scent.
Coordinating Sets
Coordinating sets are some of the best pickleball clothing women can own. Polos and shorts, tank tops and skirts, tops and skorts, the list can go on, but the point is that even though they may not be as convenient as dresses, they still add functionality to your performance and are fun to experiment with. Opting for matching pieces creates a cohesive and polished look, simplifying the styling process and allowing you to focus on your game.
For coordinating sets, you need different pieces to complement each other in some capacity, for example, color or pattern. It’s not necessary, but it’s still lovely. Go for vibrant, playful prints or neutral colors and pair things up. Make sure you don’t use the same rule for pairing items up. Get spontaneous and creative with your collections.
Additionally, coordinating sets often feature complementary design details, such as matching trim or accents, enhancing their visual appeal. Coordinating sets of pickleball apparel can streamline your wardrobe, giving you pre-existing rules and decisions to work with.
Our Bloomingdale’s picks, the Focus Tank and the Performance Tights are the products of our thought theses. Another great choice is P. E. Nation’s performance-driven athleisure items: the Backcheck Sports Bra and Bike Shorts, available in different colors.
Pickleball Shoes for Women
Finding the right pair of shoes for any situation is crucial for your preparation. The same goes for pickleball. Several factors must be considered when selecting the perfect footwear for the court, from stability and support to cushioning and grip; investing in the correct type of pickleball-specific shoes designed for women can significantly impact our performance on the court.
Outsoles are a significant factor to consider. Most pickleball courts are made of concrete and asphalt, both hard surfaces that can be distressing to your outsoles. Pickleball also asks for quick lateral movements that can hurt your toes without proper cushioning.
Sturdy outsoles with proper cushioning inside for shock absorption are necessary in pickleball shoes. Consider your playing style and court surface when choosing the shoe’s tread pattern and support level.
Simultaneously, it would be best if your shoes offered stability during quick movements and were flexible enough to take some distress without giving up mid-way. Comfort is critical during long matches, so prioritize shoes with breathable materials and ample padding around the ankle and tongue.
With the right pickleball shoes, you feel confident, comfortable, and ready to conquer the court with every serve and volley.
What Are the Best Sneakers For Playing Pickleball For Women?
The Sketchers Viper Court Smash – $75.00
I consider the Skechers Viper Court Smash a game-changer in athletic footwear. The thick soles would make you believe it’s a hardcore, heavy combat-type shoe. It’s an optical illusion, though. The Skechers are super lightweight coupled with ULTRA FLIGHT® cushioning. The insoles are molded and offer exceptional comfort and support, making long matches feel effortless on the feet.
As one of the best pickleball shoes for women, the sleek, synthetic upper and non-marking indoor/outdoor traction outsole results in unparalleled responsiveness, allowing swift movements across the court without sacrificing comfort. Then there is the stitch makes the inside of shoes very roomy yet secure, ensuring ample toe and forefoot space for natural movement and agility during gameplay.
Several other features make a case for the shoe: cleaning the shoe is easy because it has a machine-washable design, which ensures shoes stay well-maintained and long-lasting. The boots have a slight heel but you don’t even feel it. The Skechers logo is very apparent to the brand’s fans.
The Skechers Viper Court Smash is a top-tier choice for paddle sports players.
Clarks Tivoli Zip Navy Leather – $120.00
Introducing the Tivoli Zip Navy Leather sneakers from Clarks, whose standout feature is the size dip details that add a smart, urban, and contemporary touch to your look. The sneakers are made from premium navy leather; they are the epitome of style and durability.
I always look for promising pickleball shoes for women I can use on and off the court. What’s impressive about the Tivoli Zip is its EVA soles also absorb impact and enable agile footwork without sacrificing your comfort. There is also a customizable footbed made of Contour Cushion, which is pillow-soft, meaning you can run your errands right after pickleball without your feet suffering.
The Tivoli Zip is a fun and practical choice with premium navy leather, a secure fit, and a recognizable Clarks logo. Whether enjoying sunny strolls in the park, embarking on urban adventures, or ruling the pickleball court, these sneakers can become your choice for all-day comfort and versatility.
Tommy Hilfiger Logo Quilted Leather Sneaker – $90.30
People loyal to Tommy Hilfiger can rejoice! The TH Logo Quilted Leather Sneaker is a premium footwear product with a quilted Tommy Hilfiger monogram design over its skin. Crafted from 100% leather, these sneakers offer luxury to play with enforced durability and support on the pickleball court.
The Quilted Leather Sneaker may be one of the best outdoor pickleball shoes for women on this list, with a thick, high-grip sole that provides excellent traction for the court and assists agile movements during intense gameplay.
The soles are rubber-made, which every player knows is a blessing during a fast-paced game, and as if that was not enough, there is further foot comfort provided through a padded footbed. I can picture how comfortable serving, volleying, or sprinting across the court will feel in these.
Tommy Hilfiger doesn’t need any introduction. Their products are expertly crafted; if anything, these sneakers vouch for the brand’s quality and style, combining fashion-forward design with functionality, making it a standout choice for women pickleball players seeking style and durability on the court.
(I have been advised to put this out here: use leather cleaners occasionally to keep their look.)
Best Pickleball Outdoor Shoes For Women
Nike Air Max Women’s Excel – $95.00
Having personally tried Nike, I can attest to the exceptional performance and style of the Women’s Nike Air Max Excee Sneakers. These shoes have effortless class paired with modern comfort, ideal for outdoor adventure, especially pickleball.
The outer layer is crafted with mesh, leather, and suede, providing durability and breathability simultaneously, keeping your feet cool and supported during intense matches. Overlays made of synthetic leather stabilize the shoe skeleton, ensuring confident movements on the court.
Air Max Excee has extended features seldom found in other footwear, such as rubber pods, midsole, and outsoles, all constructed with unique materials. By now, it’s clear that I’m a fan of comfortable insoles, like many others. So, unsurprisingly, I will talk about its insole. It’s a cushioned material that offers superior comfort and impact absorption with every step.
The foam midsole and outsole, combined with rubber pods, allow for swift movements and quick changes in direction, making it the best outdoor pickleball shoes for women.
In terms of style, there is a visible air unit with three windows, which is eye-catching and delivers responsive support in shock absorption. The elongated lines across the second half also pay homage to the iconic Air Max 90.
With a breathable fabric lining, padded collar, and foam insoles, Air Max Excee prioritizes comfort, making it suitable for extended athletic endeavors.
Reebok Lite Plus 3 Women’s Shoes – $39.97
The Reebok Lite Plus 3 Women’s Shoes are an ideal combination of style and durability, making them suitable for all levels of play. As an avid outdoor pickleball player, I always go back to Reebok’s Club C with their rubber outsoles providing ultimate foot comfort for my liking. Nothing has quite ever outshined them in the outsoles department. The Lite Plus 3 has been a fantastic buy, offering me the outsoles of a Club C and providing brilliant breathability with its mesh upper.
The mesh upper’s attraction is not limited to breathability, however, as its soft feel ensures a snug and supportive fit, allowing for confident movements and quick changes in direction. The rubber outsole allows traction on various court surfaces (asphalt, concrete, etc.), providing stability and grip during intense rallies.
The lace enclosure and textile lining tie the shoe structure together like a bow, and the heel tab ensures you can remove the shoes and put them back on just as quickly.
Lite Plus three shoes strike the perfect balance between lightweight agility and supportive cushioning, and I’m also a fan of the blue palette combination here. Overall, the shoes are a top-notch option for outdoor pickleball, offering comfort, performance, and style in one sleek package.
Pickleball Outfits for Women: An On-and-Off Court Affair
As the old proverb goes, you have to dress for success to achieve it. Dressing for success on the pickleball court is not just about looking good; it’s also about feeling comfortable, confident, and ready to perform. Throughout this blog, we’ve explored women’s fashion staples that deliver style and practicality. I have chosen items prioritizing freedom of movement, breathability, and weather-appropriate fabrics.
Whether you opt for moisture-wicking tops, stretchable skorts, stable court shoes, or everything in between, the key is to find attire that enhances agility and minimizes distractions during gameplay. I hope this list helps you optimize your comfort and performance on the court.
Moreover, from performance-focused apparel to fashion-forward ensembles, there’s something for every pickleball player to feel confident and stylish.
How do you feel about my suggestions? Do you agree with the dressing for success philosophy? Let me hear from you in the comments!
