It feels like it's been a hot minute since any variation of a skirt was the one item on top of my wish list. So I'm excited to welcome the tennis skirt into play, and I'm ready to meet my match. (I promise, now is where the tennis puns come to a stop.) While sheltering in place, it feels like I've cycled through a few Instagram fashion trends pretty quickly. Sweat suits became little ribbed loungewear sets — of course, Kim Kardashian's Skims rolled one out ASAP — and now, it seems everyone is elevating their at-home looks even further with the tennis skirt resurgence.
Is this a subtle way for us all to honor Wimbledon, since the tennis tournament has been canceled this year? Or perhaps it's a nod to the '90s school girl moment that Cher Horowitz would approve of. Either way, Cardi B and her daughter Kulture are fans, having matched in Burberry's checked iteration. Since then, I feel as though I spot a tennis skirt on every feed I land on. Styled with sports bras, logo socks and chunky sneakers, oversize hoodies, and even cowboy boots, these are a straight-up replacement for sweatpants now that the weather's warm.
Seriously — for every pair of sweatpants you see, I challenge you to mentally replace it with a tennis skirt and tell me the outfit doesn't somehow still work. The tennis skirt lends any outfit a hint of athleisure and, as long as the fabric's not too stiff, it's easy to lounge around in, too. Popping out for some groceries or a walk around the park never looked so good, since of course tennis skirts offer a bit more polish than your everyday joggers do. Keep reading to find some smart ways to wear one, then shop my favorite pieces, most of which ring in under $100.
You can wear your tennis skirt with silky crop tops that are soft enough to be pajamas.
You can turn up the Western mood with a bandana and cowboy boots.
Throw one on with your favorite crewneck, mirrored sunglasses, and sneaker-and-sock combo.
Try a black version with your favorite white graphic tee and chunky sneakers.
Turn up the prep and pop your collar out from under a sweatshirt, complete with sport-logo socks.
Wear it with a miniature purse and a live-in sweater.
Style it with your favorite white ribbed tank and a cardigan swung over the shoulders.
Match up your tennis skirt with your bucket hat and go for an all-white, minimalist look.
Add bright pops of color and a retro twist with a sweater vest and shoulder bag.
Style your tennis skirt with a sports bra and scrunchie while lounging at home.
Wear it with patent brogues and socks for a walk outdoors.
ASOS Design Tennis Miniskirt ($32, originally $40)
H:ours Amara Skirt in White ($90, originally $128)