When you’re just beginning a sport, it can be difficult to figure out what not to do. One of the easiest blunders is in your clothing- you don’t want to be so padded that you have difficulty moving, but at the same time, not having the right protection can make or break your safety on the court. So what should you wear when playing tennis, and how should you do it right?

Protect Your Head

There are a few tips for headgear that can benefit you no matter what. On the court, you should wear some kind of headgear- a visor, a hat, or even a headband- to help keep the sun out of your eyes. When you can’t see what’s coming, after all, it gets much harder to play. You can also invest in a good pair of sunglasses, to ensure that it’s never too bright to play. Some sport sunglasses have coatings to reduce glare and alter colors slightly, so that the ball is more easily visible in brightly-colored environments.

The Basic Outfit

It should be pretty self-explanatory that on the tennis court, you have to wear shoes, a shirt, and either a skirt or a pair of shorts. For women, tennis dresses or leggings are also acceptable, as well as tank tops, but some more traditional courts may not let men practice in sleeveless apparel. When choosing tennis outfits, you need to ensure that they all easily take away moisture, like sweat, and that they all allow you a good range of movement. It’s helpful to have matching outfits, as well- but that isn’t quite as necessary. 

Tennis Shoes

A crucial part of your playing gear, though, should be your shoes. You need to tailor your shoes to your environment- if you’re playing on grass, look for a pair of shoes with a flatter, more flexible sole, for easier grip and movement. On grass, you’ll also need a pair of shoes with good grip- after all, you don’t want to slip! On clay courts, you should look for tighter-fitting shoes, and tougher-soled shoes on hard courts.

The Best Way To Build A Tennis Outfit

When you’re a first-time player, the ins and outs of tennis fashion may look like a maze. But once you understand the basics- visor, shirt, shoes, and shorts- it’ll be simple to get out on the court looking your best.