I Started Wearing a Tennis Skirt, and Just Like That, It's Replacing My Biker Shorts

I've always tended toward skirts instead of shorts, but I didn't let that sway me in my preference for one trend over another. The fashion trends in question: biker shorts [1], a look popularized in 2019 with sporty trainers and tees or oversize blazers for a touch of sophistication, and tennis skirts [2], 2020's latest fashion obsession. Obviously, tennis skirts have been around for a while, albeit considered athletic gear, taking the form of a longer floor length in the early 1900s and transitioning into the mini version, or skort, in 1949.

I'm not surprised at all that [tennis skirts] are becoming fashion must haves for fall, only dismayed by the fact that it's taken me so long to try one on.

Though we've seen tennis heroes like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova wear all sorts of skirts [3] while actually playing on the court, fashion influencers have a knack for styling up the most standard iterations in white or black with cropped ribbed tanks, cardigans, oversize jumpers, and bucket hats. Similar to how biker shorts have made their way into our wardrobes, becoming an athleisure staple that can be worn with so much more than workout gear, tennis skirts are seemingly up to par. But are they as comfortable as our favourite shorts? I had to test one out and see.

Back in high school, we used to wear our field-hockey uniforms to class on the days we had games, and the tennis skirt instantly reminded me of my old kilt, which was also pleated and hit above the knee. I always felt feminine yet fierce in my kilt. I'd try to wear it like it was part of my closet, adding jewellery to my look and slides I thought looked cool with my striped sport socks. I was also partial to the preppy appeal of a skirt — who could forsake that Britney Spears "...Baby One More Time" schoolgirl aesthetic?

Well, as soon as I tried on my crisp white tennis skirts from Tory Sport and Mayfair Athletics, I was as smitten as 14-year-old Sarah on the field-hockey team, ready to pull on ribbed socks and all the necessary outfit accoutrements to make this look my own. Both skirts were comfortable, just like my biker shorts, but also way more flattering given that they're not so tight-fitting. I'm not surprised at all that these are becoming fashion must haves for fall, only wondering what took me so long to try one on. Scroll through to see my new favourite ways to wear a tennis skirt, then shop my exact designs, along with more of my favourite pieces on the market.

Tennis Skirt Outfit #1

I styled my drop-waist Tory Sport tennis skirt with a vintage Donna Karan Collection cashmere cardigan set, white low-top Pumas, and an ankle bracelet, playing up the prep in this trend but also keeping in line with my personal style, which usually involves some sort of statement piece — hence the beads! They suggest this look is just as much a fashion statement as it is a sport set.

Shop My Tory Sport Tennis Skirt

Tory Sport Pleated-Hem Tennis Skirt [5] ($128)

Tennis Skirt Outfit #2

I love the full pleats on this Mayfair Athletics design, so I really wanted to show them off by sticking to a neutral palette and opting for a fitted cardigan tucked in at the waist. You can give the look even more of a varsity thrill with striped logo socks [6] — mine are from Mother.