by: Allen Brown
If you are preparing for your first tennis match, you are probably wondering what to wear. Official tennis clubs will usually require you to wear approved tennis attire, and while open courts don’t have similar dress codes, you should be wearing clothes and shoes that are suitable for this sport. Your gear should allow you enough movement and not hinder you in any way. Aside from improving your game, stylish attire will also help you get noticed among other players. Here is what you should wear for your first-ever tennis game to perform well and fit in any tennis circle.
Clothes
Besides fitting you comfortably, your clothes on the tennis court should be made of a moisture-wicking material to prevent sweat from hindering you in your game. The rest of the factors required from your tennis clothes will depend on the venue you will be playing at. If there is a dress code to be followed, make sure to adhere to it as much as possible. Most tennis clubs will require you to wear short-sleeved cotton tops and matching tennis shorts. Aside from shorts, women may also wear tennis skirts with built-in shorts or one-piece suits, which are quite fashionable. If the weather is warm, some clubs may allow you to wear a sleeveless tank top, and if it’s cold, you will be permitted to wear long-sleeved tops. This too has to be made of elastic material suitable for this sport.
And finally, you should never forget about one more important piece of clothing: your socks. Regardless of the place of the match or the temperatures, you will need to wear high socks and for a good reason. Good quality socks of this length will catch all the sweat from your tights and absorb it quickly before it gets far enough to bother you. Other than the material they are made of, you should also pay attention to the color of your socks. As with your clothes and shoes, your socks should be void of any load pattern or color as well.
Shoes
When playing tennis, you will be running and jumping a lot, so you will need to wear shoes that allow you all kinds of movements. Plus, they should be easy on your feet and comfortable for standing too. Although there are many sport sneaker options designed for this purpose, it’s recommended to focus only on tennis shoes in particular. These types of shoes are made with comfort for sweaty feet in mind. Plus, they usually have non-marking soles, suitable for different types of courts.
And while you might consider it a huge investment to buy specific tennis shoes, you can actually use this footwear for other sports too. Choosing fashionable and trending tennis gear will also give you the option of styling it with a casual outfit for any non-sports-related occasion. It’s only the question of finding a pair of shoes with the right anatomy and sole pattern for different types of surfaces.
Sun Protection
Playing tennis on a hot summer day can be fun. However, it can quickly become quite uncomfortable if you don’t wear the necessary Sun protection. Depending on the temperatures, besides appropriate sunglasses designed for sports, you might need to wear some hats with visors as well. Even if the weather isn’t too hot, wearing visors is absolutely recommended when facing the Sun on the tennis court. Because they are safer than hats, tennis visors are usually permitted in clubs along with sunglasses. Hats, on the other hand, may not be allowed in some venues. To see what protection you are permitted to wear at a certain venue, check their rules about tennis attire.
Wristbands
Although it’s not compulsory to do so, many tennis players wear cotton or wool wristbands and not just for sweat absorption. Albeit being moisture-wicking is a great feature to have in a wristband, the primary purpose of this piece of garment is to protect your wrist from injuries. When you hit the ball with your tennis racket, your wrist takes a high-impact blow, which the band absorbs.
Additionally, a wristband could be a good piece of a fashion statement on the tennis court, as long as it doesn’t clash with the rest of your outfit. This is especially important in some exclusive clubs that may ask you to match your whole tennis attire. And even if ist not mandatory, a stylish ensemble will get the approval of the rest of the players for sure.
Finally, we can surmise that finding the right tennis attire isn’t just about looking stylish or getting approved. For beginners, in particular, the most important factor should be functionality. And you don’t have to spend tons of money on expensive gear either. Even if you want to acquire attire specifically designed for tennis, it’s worth shopping around for great deals.