What to wear to play pickleball: Here’s how to perfect your pickleball attire

Wondering what to wear to play pickleball? Here’s everything you need to know about pickleball attire!

While there’s no strict pickleball dress code (or pickleball etiquette) stating what you should wear on the pickleball courts, you’ll want to choose your pickleball outfits wisely.

Choosing what to wear for pickleball won’t just help you stand out on the court – it will also affect your game.

Wearing the right clothing for pickleball will help you move easily, letting you focus entirely on the game. It can also give you a psychological boost, making you more confident and, in turn, helping you succeed on the court.

Here’s how to choose what to wear to play pickleball and the kind of pickleball attire you should wear, no matter what your skill level.


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What to look for in pickleball clothing

Choosing the best pickleball clothing for you is crucial, but it doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, it can be easy!

Your perfect pickleball outfit will ultimately come down to your own preferences and needs, but here are some things to keep in mind.

Comfort is key

Even though it’s gained a bit of a reputation as a more stylish tennis, pickleball is still a form of exercise.

Whether you mostly play fun games or competitive games, you need to be able to move easily when playing pickleball.

Reaction time matters, so there’s simply no point wearing something you love and feel good in if you can’t actually move in it!

Wearing clothes that allow you to move around easily won’t just help you improve your pickleball skills, but will also help you prevent injury.


Embrace colour – if you want to

Just because your pickleball attire needs to be functional, it doesn’t mean it can’t be fashionable.

Pickleball isn’t just the fastest growing popular sport in America – it’s also one of the trendiest sports around. And pickleball players of all skill levels enjoy bringing style to the court.

Don’t be afraid to stand out when playing pickleball. In fact, Pink Pickleball’s mission is to help you stand out!

Feel free to don your brightest, punchiest clothes for pickleball. After all, pickleball is all about having fun!


Don’t forget the weather

While indoor pickleball is on the rise, most games still take place outdoors.

That means you’ll need to take the environment and the weather into account when choosing what to wear to play pickleball.

Make sure you’re protected from the sun and don’t forget to pack a warm layer if you’re playing in the evening. You can quickly feel the cold after an intense rally!

For cold outdoor play, make sure you have layers that you can put on or remove without interrupting the game.

It’s also a good idea to look for fast drying pickleball apparel if you’re going to be playing somewhere hot.


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What to wear to play pickleball

Now you know what goes – and, more importantly, what doesn’t – on the pickleball court, here’s what to wear for pickleball.

The best pickleball clothes are the ones that you feel good in, can move in and can layer when needed.

Pickleball outfits for ladies

Female pickleball players love to experiment with their style on the court.

Ladies pickleball clothes designed specifically for the paddle sport come in a wide range of different colors and styles, but you don’t need to buy specific pickleball clothing if you don’t want to.

The most important thing is that your pickleball outfits are functional and allow you to have good fun on the court!

Here’s what every female pickleball player should have in her wardrobe:


Pickleball tops: t-shirts, long-sleeve tops or tank tops

What you wear up top while playing pickleball will probably depend mostly on the weather.

Active women’s t-shirts, long-sleeve workout tops and tank tops are all things you can wear to play pickleball, so take your pick.

Whichever one you choose, make sure it dries quickly (pickleball can get sweaty!) and make sure it doesn’t restrict you when serving. You don’t want your clothing to lead to a let serve or – worse – a serving fault.

womens pickleball attire tshirts
pickleball outfits for ladies
Women's pickleball clothing

Pickleball bottoms: leggings, shorts or a tennis skirt

On your lower half, you can wear anything you’d usually wear to the gym or an exercise class.

Yoga leggings are a great option for playing pickleball because they’re super comfy and easy to move in.

If it’s hot out, you can switch them for a pair of athletic shorts or a tennis skirt. Tennis-style dresses are also a good option in some cases.

Check out our article on the best pickleball skirts for more recommendations and advice on choosing the best option for you.

womens pickleball shorts
womens pickleball skirt

Bras for pickleball

Pickleball can be a good aerobic workout for both new players and serious players, with lots of lateral movement.

Since you’re going to be moving around on the court, it’s best to wear supportive sports bras when playing pickleball.

This one offers plenty of support, has removable pads and comes in several funky colors.


Men’s pickleball clothing

For men, the same rules apply when choosing what to wear for pickleball.

Here are the essentials every man should have in his pickleball wardrobe.

Pickleball t-shirts: a sweat-resistant tank or long sleeve top

The most important thing when choosing what to wear to play pickleball is comfort.

Athletic tops aren’t essential, but the quick-drying fabrics and loose fit will certainly allow for optimum performance.

Whether you prefer a short sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve shirt or one of the many funny pickleball shirts that are available now, it’s really down to personal preference.

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Pickleball USA long sleeve shirt mens
mens pickleball tank top

Pickleball bottoms: sweat pants or shorts

When it comes to your legs, you’ll want to make sure your choice of clothing doesn’t restrict your movement.

In most cases, shorts are the best option. When it’s cold, a pair of sweat pants will also do the job.

While it’s possible to wear any shorts or pants, some brands now offer pickleball shorts designed to withstand hours of play. Here are some of the best ones:

mens pickleball shorts
mens tennis shorts

Pickleball accessories and more

Now you have the basics, don’t forget the rest! Choosing what to wear to play pickleball doesn’t stop with your clothes.

Now you have all the essential pickleball clothing, here are a few more things to complete your pickleball outfit.


Pickleball shoes

Choosing the right pickleball shoes is crucial, especially when playing on hard courts.

If there’s one item of pickleball clothing that you should put research time into, make it your pickleball shoes.

Having the right type of shoe will give you better grip on both outdoor pickleball courts and indoor courts, helping you to avoid some of the more common injuries. Trust us – your lower back will thank you!

While most players begin by wearing their regular tennis shoes or another athletic shoe they already have, getting the right kind of shoes will make a world of difference when you play regularly.

Check out our full guide to buying the best pickleball shoes to see what types of shoes you should look for and some of the best options available right now.


Pickleball hats

Some of the biggest pickleball communities are in sunny spots. If it gets sunny where you play, a hat or visor will keep the sun out of your eyes and protect your from getting burned.

Our premium pickleball hat and logo visor have both been designed to make you stand out on the court (for all the right reasons!) while helping you bring your best game.

A bag to put everything in

While you don’t need a whole lot of things to play pickleball, you’ll want to turn up to every pickleball game prepared.

Having a bag that you can use exclusively for pickleball will take a lot of the stress out of getting to the court.

Make sure your pickleball bag is big enough to fit all the essentials, as well as your pickleball balls and pickleball paddle.

Our premium pickleball tote has been designed to fit all your essentials in. It’s eye-catching and sure to strike up a conversation with any passing pickler in the street.


What do you wear to play pickleball?

Do you have any other suggestions for what to wear to play pickleball?

Let us know in the comments below or join our free community for pickleball players on Facebook.


Shop ladies and men’s pickleball clothing from Pink Pickleball

Did you know that you can find even more pickleball clothing and accessories in our Pink Pickleball store?

Whether you’re on or off the court, we’ve got you covered with everything from funky socks to trendy slogan tees.

As well as fun and trendy pickleball clothing, we also have a wide selection of pickleball gifts. Why not treat the pickleball player in your life – or treat yourself (we won’t tell anyone!)?

2 thoughts on “What to wear to play pickleball: Here’s how to perfect your pickleball attire”

  1. With Pickleball exploding on the global scene, there is a lot of retail merchandise that has hit the market. This includes Pickleball apparel for women. As with men, women playing Pickleball should have the right mix of comfort and aesthetic value. Pickleball hats are important Pickleball accessories to wear on the Pickleball court. They protect your eyes from the sun. Pickleball hats also enable you to see the Pickleball ball when you re playing your Pickleball game facing the sun. 

    Reply

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