Are you looking to level up your pickleball outfits with fresh pickleball clothes?
Pickleball offers players greater latitude when it comes to fashion rules, making the court a colorful place to be.
Look, it’s no secret that pickleball does not enjoy the same lauded reputation in the fashion world as tennis. Close your eyes and imagine the stereotypical pickleball player’s clothing. Are you envisioning a boxy shirt that features tacky, paddle-wielding pickles? Are the pickles wearing sweatbands and sunglasses? Yikes.
Your pickleball game might be fine. Maybe you’re a 4.0+, higher-level player. But if you’re hitting the courts in ill-fitting clothes that look like they’re emblazoned with Windows 99 clip art, it’s time to step up your clothing game.
I once played some pick-up games with a guy whose name I’ve forgotten, but it was an extremely pickleball name like Ryder or Axel. He wore a tank top and bright pink shorts that made him look like Ryan Gosling from the movie Barbie. The inseam was insanely short, and his thighs bulged. Ryder or Axel was clearly a CrossFit guy.
Yes! We need more peacocks on the pickleball courts.
Get your inspiration from the tennis world. How cool did Andre Agassi look in those legendary acid-wash Nike jean shorts? Or how about Frances Tiafo’s kaleidoscopic-inspired outfit at the 2023 Australian open? Or the countless iconic looks Venus Williams (more on her later) has sported over the years?
My fellow pickleball players – let’s take a cue from our sister sport, tennis. Let’s do better with our outfits.
As the popularity of pickleball has exploded, so too has the number of brands that cater to players. Behemoths in the sports apparel world, like Nike, Adidas, and Fila, are hip to the world’s hottest sport. All of them offer clothes specifically designed for pickleball.
There are seemingly countless pickleball apparel companies. We’ve waded through them and will let you in on some of our favorites.
Let’s look at some of our favorite brands that are turning the pickleball fashion world upside down with their fresh fits.
Pickleball Outfits From Varsity Pickle
If you’re going for a vintage 1960s and 1970s vibe, head over to Varsity Pickle to find the pickleball fit of your dreams. Even their brand’s font screams summer of love.
We’re digging their cropped tie-dye hoodie, which is psychedelic blue. Grab one, and you’ll be the best-dressed player at your local courts.
They also sell ringer crewneck sweatshirts that would be perfect for fall – stay warm during your early morning pickleball sessions. Their “Vintage Varsity” sweatshirt is their bestseller. It’s a handsome navy blue with red and white ribbed striping on the cuffs and waistline.
Perhaps their most iconic shirt is called the “Pickleback” (available as both a t-shirt and a sweatshirt), which features the word pickle spelled backward. Why?
Well, a few reasons. First, Varsity Pickle wanted to nod to “The BACKhand in PICKLEball.” It’s also an homage to the pickleback shot you’d order at a bar, a shot of bourbon or whiskey chased with a pickle brine (none for me, thanks). Finally, they wanted to create a shirt that read correctly when viewed in a mirror.
Lucky In Love
Good news, ladies. Just when you thought you couldn’t look any better hitting an ATP or an Erne. Now, you can crush those ATPs and Erne’s while looking fabulous and fashionable. Just score some pickleball outfits from Lucky In Love.
With style “filled with personality and vivacious Miami flair,” Lucky In Love is pushing the boundaries of traditional pickleball clothing.
Lucky In Love offers a myriad of clothing options for you to rock.
We’re fans of their best-selling skirt, the “Wet Scallop,” which is as shiny as you are and features a scalloped pattern. Complete your pickleball outfit with one of Lucky In Love’s sleeveless tank tops, available in a kaleidoscope of fresh and bold colors, and rule the courts in style.
Lucky In Love creates pickleball clothing that moves with you. So you can scoop every dink and rip your drives, and your clothes will stretch with your entire range of motion. Almost as good as having the perfect doubles partner.
The Kitchen Dink Pickleball Outfits
If you’re looking for ultra-cool, minimalistic pickleball fits, The Kitchen Dink is the apparel company for you.
The company was founded in 2020. Their design aesthetic is simple, and the Kitchen Dink offers clean-looking shirts, tank tops, and hats. Most of The Kitchen Dink’s clothing is black and white, although a few shirts and hats are bold neon colors. Their streamlined look will allow you to look, feel, and play your best.
The folks over at The Kitchen Dink are firm advocates for the pickleball community, too. They’re trying to make pickleball a school-sanctioned sport across the United States and get it recognized as an Olympic sport.
We love their “panda” line of clothing. A blend of 70% bamboo and 30% cotton, these shirts and sweatshirts are breathable enough for warm-weather play but hefty enough to keep you warm when temperatures dip.
Don’t be surprised when your new Panda shirt or sweatshirt becomes your new go-to.
EleVen
EleVen is Venus Williams’ signature line of apparel. Yes, that Venus Williams. The tennis legend and fashion icon.
While EleVen started as a tennis and activewear clothing company, they got hip to the burgeoning pickleball scene. So, they launched a line of clothing specifically tailored to the modern pickleball player.
Their athleisure line boasts “flattering cuts, sleek designs, innovative fabrics, built-in comfort and performance at the core of every piece. With fashion-forward designs, our apparel is suitable for both on and off the court.” If you’re going to get pickled (that’s getting beat without scoring a point if you’re new to the game), get pickled in style, wearing swag crafted by EleVen.
Another reason that we love EleVen is that the brand is eco-conscious. “Our collections were consciously designed with fabrics that were made safe for the environment and for the planet. Our Repreve™ fabrics are 100% recyclable and engineered from recycled water bottles gathered from the ocean.”
That’s right. Your next pickleball outfit can be made from recycled water bottles from the ocean. You’ll be hitting a ball made of plastic while wearing a shirt made of plastic.
Pickleball Clothes
Here is a list of companies that currently make pickleball clothes specialized or branded for the sport:
Athleta
Billabong
Champion
Clothing Arts
Cynthia Rowley
Eleven by Venus Williams
FILA
Hanes
Joola
K-Swiss
Lucky in Love
Nike
Pickleball Gear
Pickleball USA
Recess
Selkirk
Tangerine
Venus Williams
These companies offer a variety of pickleball clothes, including shirts, shorts, skirts, pants, dresses, and accessories. They also offer a variety of styles and colors to choose from, so you can find the perfect outfit for your pickleball game.
Here are some of the features to look for when choosing pickleball clothes:
Comfort: Pickleball is a fast-paced sport, so you need comfortable clothes to move in. Look for threads that are made of breathable fabrics and have a relaxed fit.
Sun protection: If playing outdoors, you’ll need clothes that defend you from the sun. Look for clothes that have UPF protection and are made of fabrics that wick away sweat.