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Tennis and fashion have always been deeply intertwined — long before the tenniscore aesthetic earned its TikTok-viral wings. From world champion Björn Borg’s effortlessly cool ’70s style and Chris Evert’s iconic tennis bracelet to Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka’s boundary-breaking court styles, players have always led the charge in the sport’s fashion legacy. Off the courts, tennis-inspired style has seen a meteoric rise in recent years, from the rise of buzzy activewear brands to Zendaya’s Challengers press tour style that sparked a full-blown tenniscore summer last year. Whether or not you actually play the sport, the appeal of its country‑club chic aesthetic is undeniable, and you can channel it with the best tennis dresses of the moment — no racket required.
From Tory Burch to Off-White, the spring 2025 runways made one thing clear: the sporty chic look is still going strong. Designers offered fresh, elevated twists on performance wear, blending fashion and function with boundary-pushing pairings. The rise of retro-inspired labels like Sporty & Rich, alongside the growing influence of cult-favorite activewear brands such as Alo Yoga and Varley, has pushed the exercise dress into stylish new territory with thoughtful, design-driven details. Meanwhile, sportswear giants like Nike and Wilson — and longtime tennis icons like Lacoste — continue to set the standard with performance fabrics and silhouettes that have defined the modern exercise dress.
This season’s standout tennis dresses strike the perfect balance between function and fashion, with preppy collars, pleated skirts, trending drop-waist silhouettes, and varsity stripes leading the way. Their effortless elegance fits seamlessly into the “Old Money” aesthetic, but their appeal goes far beyond any trend cycle. Whether you’re a seasoned player, just picking up a racket, or simply tapping into the sport’s timeless style, today’s best tennis dresses offer sculpting, breathable performance fabrics and versatile silhouettes that keep you looking chic on and off the court. Now a true athleisure staple, they’re also ideal for taking on summer’s scorching temperatures.
From top-performing (and top-rated) staples via legacy tennis brand Wilson to trendy, fashion girl-coded styles from Staud’s sport collection, keep scrolling to shop the best tennis dresses for serving up major tenniscore style this summer and beyond.
While this polo dress isn’t designed for high-impact sports, it still nails the preppy tennis aesthetic for those simply looking to channel the look. The classic short-sleeve polo is ideal for wearing to watch Wimbledon or the U.S. Open, or for achieving peak country club vibes. Just style a knit cardigan across your shoulders and add a baseball cap, and you’ve got a serve-worthy look.
Activewear brand Varley has mastered the art of the tennis dress, offering a wide array of silhouettes and styles to choose from. This short-sleeved court dress checks all the boxes with removable shorts, hidden side seam pockets, and an adjustable drawstring waist. The pleated skirt offers a loose, lightweight fit for those who aren’t looking for a skin-tight performance fabric that hugs the body. Available in a white and forest green color or this navy and white style, all you need to do is add varsity-striped crew socks and low-profile sneakers, and you’ve got an instant look that serves up tenniscore at its finest.
Jennifer Lawrence, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Chrissy Teigen are all fans of Beyond Yoga’s activewear, but the brand offers more than just A-list hype. Its top-rated Court Appeal Dress is a prime example of how Beyond Yoga’s designs merge functionality with peak model off-duty style. This mini tennis dress features a square neckline and subtle front slit for style points, but reviewers attest the soft, flattering fabric is just as good for a workout dress that’s comfortable for both tennis and lounging or running errands. Rounding out its performance details, it also features attached inner shorts with drop-in pockets.
Featuring this season’s trending drop-waist silhouette, this Tory Burch tennis dress serves up both fashion and function. Crafted from the brand’s signature performance jersey, it’s breathable, moisture-wicking, and offers just the right amount of stretch to move with your body. Unlike some tennis dresses that can veer into a bit too short territory, this pleated skirt offers just enough length for comfortable movement without compromising style. For a chic courtside look, tie a cardigan or sweater over your shoulders and top it off with crew socks and sporty white sneakers — perfect for everything from watching the US Open to running errands.
It’s no surprise that legacy tennis brand Wilson is behind some of the best designed tennis dresses out there. Offering quick-drying fabric and a fully-lined silhouette, this dress features a supportive shelf bra with removable cups and pockets in the liner shorts on both legs for convenient storage. Whether you want to go for a little black tennis dress moment or a classic white and green design, it’s available in five colorways and its flouncy skirt ensures a standout style moment in any of them.
From Taylor Swift to Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, Alo Yoga has racked up a long list of celebrity fans — and for good reason. The cult-favorite activewear brand not only delivers buttery-soft performance fabrics, but its designs nail the off-duty chic look perfectly. Its bestselling Courtside Tennis Dress is prime proof: the minimalist, subtle sweetheart neckline design hits all the notes of tenniscore style, but its ultra-soft stretchy fabric and design details really take it up a notch. Featuring adjustable straps, a hidden shelf bra and shorts, and pockets, this dress is just as functional as it is stylish. Reviewers say the soft, sculpting fabric fits like a glove and the silhouette is flattering without riding up — which is always a concern with built-in shorts.
Don’t sleep on Gap when it comes to activewear. The brand’s range of exercise dress options feature soft, sculpting performance fabric that doesn’t disappoint. The brushed jersey material is designed to contour to your body, delivering a flattering fit that offers movement and shape retention. This collared style features hidden shorts, a convenient zipper closure, and a racerback design. And, as a bonus, it’s available in three colors — tennis-inspired green, Barbie pink, and classic black.
Nike has remained a go-to choice for tennis champions worldwide due to its innovative high-performance fabrics and designs. The sportswear brand’s Victory Dri-Fit Tennis Dress is a winner in its own right with its technical quick-drying fabric that’s designed to work with your full range of motion, so you can serve up your best swing. Offering a super stretch and ribbed panels underneath the arms, there’s a reason this tennis dress is a favorite of pros and beginners alike.
Lacoste is synonymous with tennis style, and its collection of heritage tennis dresses showcase exactly why. Not only does the French label nail the aesthetics of the sport, but its dresses are also tried and tested by tennis experts for maximum performance. Designed to withstand intensive training, Lacoste’s abrasion-resistant piqué fabric is made with Ultra Dry moisture-wicking technology for more breathable wear. This collared dress features the signature pleated tennis skirt that comes equipped with a separate liner and shorts including two pockets.
Leave it to fashion-favorite brand Staud to reimagine the tennis dress with playful twists like halter necklines, drop-waist silhouettes, corset-inspired bodices, and fluttery mini skirts. This ivory number offers a softer take on the sport’s classic crisp white for a subtle alternative. The sculpting bodice is crafted from stretchy shapewear fabric for a flattering fit, while the flirty skirt features built-in liner shorts with pockets for added practicality. Available in ivory or black, it’s the kind of tennis dress that delivers a statement, whether you’re courtside, running errands, or just dressing for the vibe.
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is the Senior Style Commerce Editor at WWD and Footwear News, where she writes and edits fashion, beauty, and lifestyle stories. Previously, she served as Senior Editor at Cosmopolitan and Market Editor at Harper’s BAZAAR, where she oversaw digital content from fashion features to news and product reviews. With over a decade of experience as a digital fashion editor, she’s an expert in scouring the internet for the greatest emerging brands, top-rated products, and latest trends to shop.
