Tennis whites have always carried a certain kind of polish. Players at Wimbledon still dress almost entirely in white, and club wardrobes from the same tradition gave us the pieces this look is built on: crisp cotton, cable-knit sweaters, pleated skirts and not a logo in sight. Tenniscore is the weekend side of old money dressing, and most people who wear it never pick up a racket. The twenty old money tennis outfit ideas below are complete outfits for a match, a club lunch or a Sunday brunch. Since so much of this style is white, I've also covered how to choose the right shade and keep it clean all summer.
Optic White, Ivory or Cream Next to Your Face
This style puts a lot of white near your face, and not every white suits every complexion. Before buying the polos and knits below, it helps to know which shade flatters you.
- Optic white is bright and slightly blue. It looks crisp on cool and deep skin tones but can make very fair, warm skin look ruddy.
- Ivory is softer, with a touch of warmth. It's the safest choice for most people, and it hides minor yellowing better than optic white.
- Cream and ecru lean yellow. They flatter warm and olive skin and look rich next to tan leather and gold.
A quick test: hold each shade under your chin in daylight, without makeup. The one that makes your skin look clearer is your white. If you love a shade that doesn't suit you, wear it below the waist, in a skirt or trousers, and keep your best white on top.
Sheerness matters as much as shade. White fabric shows what's underneath, so I wear nude-toned underwear closest to my own skin tone rather than white, which shows through more than you'd think. A lined skirt or a pique knit solves most of the problem before you even get dressed.
1. White Tennis Dress with Sweater Over Shoulders
A crisp white tennis dress is where I'd start. Cotton pique breathes and keeps its shape; a viscose-nylon knit drapes softer but shows sweat sooner. Look for a polo collar and a flared or pleated skirt. The sweater over the shoulders is what turns sportswear into this look, so drape a light cream or navy cable knit and let the sleeves hang in front. A heavy knit slides off, so lighter is better here. Clean white court sneakers, a thin leather watch, small pearl studs and a structured white tote keep it neat from a morning match to an afternoon of errands.
2. Pleated Tennis Skirt with Cable Knit Sweater
You don't need a backhand for this one. Choose a white pleated tennis skirt with built-in shorts, which matter more than people think the moment you bend or sit on a low bench. Tuck in a white tank or fitted tee, then add an oversized cream cable-knit V-neck. Sporty pleats against a chunky knit is the contrast that makes it work, but the sweater must stop at the hip; any longer and it covers the pleats entirely. White ankle socks with a scalloped edge, white leather sneakers, a slim brown belt if there are loops, and a tan crossbody finish it. A fine gold chain at the V adds just enough shine.
3. White Polo Shirt with Wide-Leg Trousers
This is spectator dressing straight from the stands. Choose a white cotton pique polo, leave the top button open and tuck it fully into high-waisted wide-leg trousers in cream, beige or soft khaki. A polo tucked into tailored trousers shows every ripple at the waist, so I pick one with a slightly longer back hem that stays put. The trousers should skim the floor in the shoe you'll wear. Match a tan belt to your loafers or ballet flats, add a structured brown shoulder bag and tortoiseshell sunglasses, and toss a navy cardigan over your shoulders for a garden party or a day at a tournament.
4. Tennis Polo Dress with White Sneakers
A polo dress is the one-piece answer here. White, cream or a soft pastel blue all work, with a collar and a fit-and-flare shape that nips in before a gently pleated skirt. Weight is the first thing I check. A thin knit clings at the hips and shows every line, while a heavier one drapes clear of the body. Crew socks just above the ankle and low-profile white sneakers keep it sporty. A fine gold bracelet, a leather watch and a small neutral bag are enough. On a cool evening, a light beige trench over the shoulders keeps you warm without hiding the dress.
5. V-Neck Sweater Vest with Tennis Skirt
The sweater vest is back, and it sits well in tennis styling. Choose cream or ivory with navy or forest green tipping at the neck and armholes, over a white collared shirt with the cuffs left open below the vest. Shirt fabric is the trap here. A thick Oxford bunches under a fitted vest, so I use a thinner poplin. Tuck everything into a white A-line tennis skirt and add a slim brown belt. White sneakers and scalloped socks keep it sporty, and a gold watch with a thin tennis bracelet on the other wrist suits a coffee date after watching a match.
6. Navy Blazer with White Trousers
A well-cut navy blazer with gold-tone buttons, worn open, carries this whole outfit. Under it, a white cotton tee or fine knit tucks into high-waisted white trousers with a straight or slightly wide leg. White trousers are the piece to test hardest: stand in daylight in front of a mirror, and if you can see pocket linings, choose a heavier twill. Brown loafers dress it up and white sneakers dress it down. A straw hat, tortoiseshell sunglasses and a tan handbag finish it, and a navy-and-white striped silk scarf on the bag handle gives a subtle nautical reference.
7. Linen Blazer with Tennis Skirt
Tailoring over sportswear is a classic old money move, and a linen blazer over tennis clothes does it neatly. Choose an unlined beige or oatmeal linen blazer in a relaxed fit and roll the sleeves once or twice. Linen creases quickly, and on an unlined jacket that's part of the charm, so don't fight it with a stiff press. Underneath, a fitted white ribbed tank tucks into a pleated tennis skirt, with white sneakers. A brown belt, a gold watch, a small crossbody and a silk scarf around a low ponytail finish it. I'd save this for late spring, when the morning air still needs a layer.
8. Cream Tennis Skirt Set with Cardigan
A matching set is a shortcut to looking expensive. Look for a cream two-piece with a sleeveless polo-collar knit top and a pleated or flared skirt. One color top to bottom reads as a single, deliberate outfit. Because the pieces come from the same knit, check that both are the same dye lot if you buy them separately; cream shades drift more than you'd expect. Drape a matching cardigan over your shoulders and add white sneakers, a fine gold bracelet, pearl studs and a woven raffia bag. It suits a weekend brunch or a warm afternoon walk.
9. Striped Tennis Polo with Tailored Shorts
A striped tennis polo gives this aesthetic a vintage feel. I like thin navy-and-white or green-and-white stripes with a ribbed collar and a two-button placket. Tuck it into tailored white shorts with a front crease and a mid rise. Horizontal stripes do widen slightly, so on a fuller bust I go for narrower stripes and leave the placket open. A slim brown belt, tan sandals or white canvas sneakers, a straw fedora and round tortoiseshell sunglasses suit a day watching matches, and a canvas tote with leather trim carries the rest.
10. Beige Tennis Dress with Trench Coat
A beige trench turns a simple tennis dress into a complete outfit when the weather needs a layer. Choose a short-sleeved beige or cream dress with a collar and a gently flared skirt, soft rather than stiff. Wear a lightweight double-breasted trench on the shoulders and leave it open so the dress shows. I check the trench length against the dress first: the coat should be noticeably longer, since a trench ending right at the dress hem looks like a mistake. White sneakers, a structured brown bag, dark sunglasses, a fine gold necklace and small hoops finish it.
11. Tennis Sweater Dress with Knee-High Socks
A knit tennis sweater dress is the cooler-weather version of this style. Choose cream or ivory with a polo collar, a button placket and a pleated hem, fitted enough to skim rather than cling. White knee-high socks with sneakers or brown loafers give it a collegiate finish. Knee socks shorten the leg on a petite frame, so I'd switch to ankle socks and loafers if you're under average height. A thin brown belt shapes the waist, and a navy headband keeps hair back. A tan satchel, a gold watch and a tennis bracelet complete it.
12. Collared Tennis Top with A-Line Skirt
Swapping pleats for a smooth white A-line skirt makes a tennis outfit look more tailored. A sleeveless collared top in white or cream with navy or hunter green tipping tucks neatly into a skirt that ends just above the knee. A-line skirts in white need a lining or a slip, which I'd confirm on the hanger before trying it on. Retro court sneakers, a thin brown belt with a matching crossbody, gold hoops and a slim watch keep it simple. Drape a navy V-neck over your shoulders as the evening cools. It fits a day at the country club or a daytime garden wedding.
13. Tennis Cardigan Draped Over Shoulders with White Dress
The cardigan over the shoulders is close to an old money uniform, and it suits a plain white dress. Choose a sleeveless white shift or fit-and-flare in cotton poplin or light linen. Drape a fine knit cardigan in navy, cream or soft pink and knot the sleeves loosely across your chest so it stays put. A chunky cardigan won't knot neatly, which is why I keep a thin one for this. Nude ballet flats or low white sneakers, a pearl bracelet, a gold watch and a small neutral handbag finish an outfit that looks more expensive than its pieces.
14. Tennis Shorts with Button-Down Shirt
Shorts make this style more relaxed. Look for crisp white tailored tennis shorts with a mid rise and a modest inseam. Tuck in a light white cotton button-down, roll the sleeves twice and leave the top two buttons open. A shirt that's too long creates a lump under the shorts' waistband, so I'd tuck only the front or choose a shorter cut. White sneakers and ankle socks keep the sporty reference, and a brown belt with a matching watch pulls it together. A canvas tote and tortoiseshell sunglasses suit a casual club day or a farmers market run.
15. Tennis Visor with All-White Ensemble
A classic visor is practical and, styled carefully, looks smart. Build an all-white outfit around it: a sleeveless polo tucked into pleated tennis shorts or a skirt, and a light white zip-up jacket worn open. All white works best when the whites match. Mixing a bright optic white with a creamy one looks like a dye mistake, so I'd hold pieces together before wearing them. White court sneakers and socks continue the palette. A tan belt and tan handbag break up the white, a gold bracelet and studs add jewelry, and the visor keeps sun off your face.
16. Tennis Bracelet with Pleated Dress
Sometimes the jewelry leads, and a diamond tennis bracelet deserves a quiet dress. I'd choose a white or cream pleated midi in light crepe or cotton, with a sleeveless bodice and a full pleated skirt. A plain dress lets a fine bracelet show; busy prints swallow it. Add a delicate gold chain and small diamond studs. White heeled sandals or low nude patent block heels lift the dress just enough. Check the bracelet clasp has a safety catch before wearing it anywhere crowded. A small cream clutch and a cashmere wrap over one shoulder finish it.
17. Tennis Track Jacket with Pleated Skirt
A vintage-style white track jacket with navy or green stripes brings retro sportswear into the mix. Zip it halfway over a white tank tucked into a pleated tennis skirt. The jacket should be slightly cropped and boxy, ending right at the waistband; a long track top over a short skirt makes the skirt disappear. White sneakers, crew socks and a white sports headband keep the athletic note. A leather watch and a small neutral crossbody complete a look made for days when you're actually on your feet and moving.
18. Tennis Knit Vest with Wide-Leg Pants
A tennis vest with wide-leg trousers moves this style off the court. Choose a cream or ivory knit vest with stripe trim at the V-neck and armholes, over a white button-down with the collar popped and the cuffs open. Tuck the shirt into high-waisted beige or tan wide-leg trousers that break slightly over the shoe. I'd check that the vest ends at the trouser waistband; a gap of shirt between the two pieces breaks the line. Brown loafers or suede driving moccasins, a structured brown bag, a gold watch and tortoiseshell sunglasses finish it.
19. All-White Tennis Outfit with Gold Accessories
An all-white tennis outfit with gold accessories is one of the simplest formulas here. Start with a white sleeveless tennis polo and pleated skirt, or a white A-line tennis dress, with white sneakers and ankle socks. Then add warmth: a thick gold chain bracelet, layered necklaces of different lengths and small hoops. Gold looks richest against warmer whites, while silver suits a cooler optic white better, so I match the metal to the shade. A tan belt and a structured beige bag add contrast. Red lipstick is the only color it needs.
20. Tennis Sweater Tied Over Shoulders with Midi Skirt
This last look mixes tennis prep with an everyday midi. Choose a lightweight white knit tennis sweater with tipping at the V-neck and cuffs, and tie it loosely over your shoulders. Underneath, a white sleeveless top tucks into a cream or beige A-line midi with an elastic waist. Elastic waists bunch when you tuck, so a belt over the top hides the gathers and gives the outfit a waist. White sneakers keep it modern. A brown belt with a matching structured bag, pearl drop earrings and a slim gold watch complete it.
Sunscreen, Sweat and Grass on White Knits
White tennis clothes are worn in heat, sun and grass, which is exactly what stains them. A few habits keep them bright all season.
Yellow marks
Underarm yellowing builds up from sweat and some deodorants. Wash whites after every wear rather than airing them out, and treat the underarms before washing. Some sunscreens leave orange or yellow marks on white fabric, especially on collars, so let sunscreen dry fully before you dress.
Grass and clay
Treat grass stains while they're fresh and avoid hot water, which can set them. Clay-court dust rinses out more easily if you brush it off dry first.
Washing and drying
Wash whites only with whites, since one gray sock dulls a whole load over time. Wool and cashmere sweaters need a cool hand wash and should dry flat. Cotton pique can dry outside, as sunlight helps keep it bright, but dry knits in the shade so they don't fade or stretch.
Start With the Sweater, Then Add the Whites
Old money tennis style is more about attitude than sport. It's built on ease, quality and restraint, and all twenty outfits share the same base: natural fabrics, neutral colors, classic shapes and no loud logos. A white tennis dress, a cable knit over the shoulders or a navy blazer with white trousers each gets you there. If you're starting from scratch, buy a good cream cable sweater first, because it works with nearly every outfit on this list. Add one white skirt or dress, build around neutrals, and keep the rest simple.
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