Today's Women's Tennis Apparel

You might not play the French Open, but you can at least look as good and be as comfortable as the tennis players who do get invites to Grand Sam tournaments. Have you ever checked out the women's tennis apparel on the pros? It usually looks fantastic and always features performance fabrics that stretch and support while wicking away moisture and even blocking the sun. It's also figure flattering. It seems that the women's tennis apparel designers are realizing not every woman wants to be in the shortest skirt possible. Today's tennis clothing lines feature style, ease and the ability to go from court to grocery store while retaining the wearer's modesty.

Gratefully, gone are the days of full-length dresses with high collars and voluminous layers. Through the years tennis dresses have evolved, becoming shorter and made of lighter weight material. They're much more user friendly, thanks to athletes turned designers creating their own lines like the Williams sisters designed. The new crop of women's tennis apparel designers recognize the tradition of "tennis whites" but also push forwards, using graphic designs and bold colors. You're also as likely to find scoop necks as you are necklines tricked out in grosgrain ribbon and waistlines defined by seams as well as ruching. Tennis dresses are more fashion forward, but remain country club tennis appropriate. Plus, you'll also notice they are a little more comfortable and roomy. Tennis dresses should support the body, but not cut into the skin. A built-in bra offers support and aesthetics, as it reduces the need for bulky bra straps. Add a sweet pleated hem and you have an all age appropriate, modern dress with a full range of motion.

Those of you who like to mix and match will favor a shirt and separate skirt arrangement. Shirts generally come in polo-style or a tank top style with a myriad of options as to color and fabric. The Alo Activewear Tennis Polo Tank combines the two with a stylish polo tank made flirty with a yolk mesh for sass and ventilation. Like dresses, you might look for a shirt with a built-in bra. You can match your skirt exactly or coordinate it with the shirt by color or style. This can get tricky, especially if your skirt doesn't come with shorties. You'll then need to mix and match the top, skirt and shorts that are worn underneath the skirt. Skirts, sometimes called "skorts", that come with shorties or compression shorts are easy and practical. Women's tennis apparel can be functional, too. Both skorts and the shortues under skirts usually have a pocket option for balls. Today is all about form, function and fashion!

To pleat or not to pleat? That really is an excellent question. A neat, A-line skirt with contrasting trims and color blocks can be slimming and stylish. But that kick pleat does allow for full leg range of motion and lends a sporty feel to your skirt. Pleats and half-pleats let the wearer move gracefully. Just be certain your pleats are more sporty than they are school-girl uniform. Length can help, too. A safe skirt length is about 13 1/2 inches long - short enough to move in and long enough to go to lunch in after your match.

The final element to consider when choosing women's tennis apparel is the fabric. Hot tennis courts and sweaty matches require moisture wicking fabrics that reduce bacteria and odors. Most likely such material will be lightweight and durable, offering long-lasting ventilation. Today's fabrics also can come with UV protection. Protection from the sun? Quick drying material? To us, this equals longer playing time on the courts!