This is a must, especially if you're playing outdoors in the colder months. Personally, I would recommend a plain black skinny style (as opposed to boot-cut), just because I find it layers better underneath skirts, giving you an extra layer of warmth. My favorite brand for these is Athleta; they come in tall, petite, and regular sizes and fit like a dream! Nike and New Balance are also great choices. I do own a pair of Lululemons, but honestly, while the fit is great I've been disappointed with the quality and can't recommend them for that reason.
2 // The right shoes.
Not all athletic shoes are created equal. There is definitely a huge difference between a pair of running shoes and a pair of true tennis shoes. It has to do with how you move in them; the former gives more linear support for back-to-front movement while running, while the latter gives lateral support for the side-to-side movements in tennis. I'm a firm believer that it's important to buy shoes that are meant for your sport, especially if you're serious and practicing several hours a day. Like I've mentioned, I go through tennis shoes really quickly, so I've tried a lot of different brands over the years before settling on Nike as my favorite. However, there are so many different options and I would recommend finding a store in your area that can properly fit you.
3 // The classic skirt.
Tennis skirts are my favorite thing to wear during the season. Don't get me wrong, I love athletic shorts as much as the next girl, but there's something that's so much more comfortable about a good tennis skirt. I would definitely recommend looking into the Nike skirts, they run small (I typically wear a small/medium, and I buy a large in Nike for a looser fit) but the quality is amazing. I've had several of mine for years, thrown them in the washer/dryer countless times, and they still look great.
4 // Supportive sports bra.
Sports bras are so so important. There is nothing worse than not feeling secure and comfortable when you're trying to focus on a match. My personal favorite style for tennis is from Victoria's Secret; they're ultra-supportive with an underwire and clasp, and
nothing will be moving while you're running around on the court. For regular workouts, I actually prefer a softer fabric sports bra that's more compressive than it is supportive. My favorites are from various brands, and I usually find good options in the workout section at Marshall's. The important thing is to make sure that you feel comfortable in them!
5 // An invisibobble.
My hair hates staying in ponytails, and it's a huge problem during tennis season. A few months ago I discovered the invisibobble, and decided to try it out for myself. In theory, the spiral band
should keep my hair in place, but I wasn't sure if that would be the case in practice. Well, let me tell you, this thing is no joke. I can put my hair in a high pony, and if I tie it with this, it will stay in
all practice. It's amazing! I would highly recommend picking one up. Pro tip: if your invisibobble stretches out too much over time, just stick it in some boiling water and it will shrink back to its original size.
6 // Workout tops.
I own more t-shirts than I can count, but I rarely wear them for tennis. I find that lightweight workout tops (the kind made from moisture-wicking material) are much easier to move in and a lot more comfortable. Early in the season, when it's still cold, I wear long-sleeved tops (my favorite are from Old Navy -- if you haven't checked out their activewear line, I would highly recommend it!). Once the temps rise I switch to wearing almost exclusively tank tops. My "lucky" tank top is a red one that was part of my high school uniform freshman year; it's from Wilson and it still fits like a dream all these years later.
7 // An easy pullover.
One of the trickiest parts about dressing for spring tennis is the fact that the temperatures can vary so much, even over the span of a few hours. I always have a pullover in my bag to layer if needed. It's important for me to have one that's made with a stretchier, breathable material to make it easy to move my arms in (anything that restricts my arm movement is a huge no-no!).
Those are all of my tennis and workout clothing must-haves! Do you play any sports, and if so, what are your favorite items?
xo,
I don't play tennis but I do run and lift weights and these are perfect for those too! I especially love those striped New Balance leggings.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great Monday!
Felicity | http://oliverandmoose.com