How to Choose a Tennis Skort

A tennis skort is one of the most practical pieces of activewear you can own. From the outside it looks like a skirt; underneath, a built-in pair of shorts gives you coverage and, often, a place to keep a spare ball. It works for tennis and pickleball, and it has become a staple for travel, walking and errands too. Deep markdowns, like the Nike Victory tennis skort DICK'S listed at $14.23 on October 30, 2026, make it tempting to buy one without much thought. This guide covers what to check first, so the skort you buy is the one you actually wear.

Skort, skirt or shorts?

The defining feature of a skort is the built-in short or liner. A sports skirt may have only a light brief, or nothing at all, while athletic shorts have no outer skirt layer. That combination is why skorts are popular on court:

• You can lunge, crouch and reach for low balls without worrying about coverage.
• The liner often has ball pockets on the legs, so you can hold a second serve without a ball clip.
• The skirt layer gives you more freedom to move than most fitted shorts, and it looks a little more polished off court.

If you only play occasionally and prefer shorts, there is no rule that says you need a skort. But if you want one garment that works for court time, the gym and a coffee stop afterwards, a skort is hard to beat.

Fabric: why moisture-wicking matters

Nike explains that moisture-wicking fabric is designed to move sweat away from your skin to the outer surface of the material, where it evaporates quickly, using capillary action through tiny channels between synthetic fibers. The result is that you stay drier and more comfortable during exercise. Polyester is the most common wicking material and is the foundation of Nike's Dri-FIT line; nylon adds stretch and breathability, and blends with spandex add give.

What to look for on the label:

• Polyester or nylon blends for the skirt and liner, often with spandex or elastane for stretch.
• A wicking or quick-dry label, such as Nike's Dri-FIT.
• Avoid mostly cotton for hard workouts. Cotton holds on to sweat and dries slowly, which can feel heavy and clingy on court.

Nike's care advice for moisture-wicking gear applies to skorts too: wash inside out in cold water and skip fabric softener, which can clog the fibers and reduce wicking.

Rise, length and fit

Rise. Skorts come in low-, mid- and high-rise. A mid-rise waistband, like the Victory skort's, sits around the hip bones and suits most body types. High-rise options give more tummy coverage and stay put during serves; low-rise ones feel lighter but can shift. If you hate adjusting your waistband between points, try a high-rise or a wide, flat waistband.

Length. Tennis skorts typically land somewhere between upper and mid-thigh. Shorter styles feel freer; longer ones give more coverage for travel or work-from-gym days. Check the product's listed inseam or length, and compare it with a skirt or shorts you already like.

Silhouette. A "flouncy" or flared cut, as in the Victory name, swings away from the body and allows a wide stride. A straight or pleated cut looks neater but can feel restrictive on big lunges.

Liner fit. The shorts underneath should feel like a snug, comfortable bike short. Too tight, and they roll; too loose, and they ride up. Read the size chart, and if you are between sizes, consider which matters more to you: a secure waistband or a relaxed liner.

How to try one on

If you can try a skort on in store, or you are checking one that just arrived, test it the way you will use it rather than just standing in front of a mirror:

• Do a deep lunge forward and to the side. The liner should stay in place and the skirt should not pull tight across your thighs.
• Raise both arms overhead as if serving. A waistband that slides down now will slide down in a match.
• Squat and stand up a few times. Check that the liner legs do not roll up.
• Put a ball in the pocket and jog on the spot. It should not bounce out or bang against your leg.
• Look in good light for sheerness, especially with white or pale colors.

Keep the tags on until you are sure. Most retailers require tags for returns, and activewear that has been worn for exercise is usually not returnable.

Pockets and details

Small details make a big difference on court:

• Ball pockets on the liner shorts: check that at least one pocket is deep enough to hold a tennis ball securely. Pickleball balls are lighter but bulkier.
• A phone or key pocket in the waistband is handy for walking and travel.
• Flat seams reduce chafing during long matches.
• Opacity: light colors, especially white, can be sheer. If possible, check reviews on the retailer's site for comments about see-through fabric.

Color and dress codes

Some clubs and tournaments have dress codes, and a few traditional venues require predominantly white clothing. If you play at a club, check its rules before buying a bright color. White skorts look classic but show stains faster; black and navy are more forgiving for everyday wear.

Buying on sale without regrets

A low sale price is a good reason to buy only if the skort fits your needs. When we checked DICK'S Sporting Goods on October 30, 2026, the Nike Victory skort showed $14.23 against a $75.00 comparison price. We could not confirm which sizes and colors carried that price, which is common with deep markdowns. Before you check out:

1. Pick your size in the cart and confirm the price there, not just on the search page.
2. Check the return terms for sale items on DICK'S site; sale items do not always have the same return terms as full-price ones, and the return policy page was not available when we checked.
3. Think about shipping costs if your basket is small; they can erase much of the saving.
4. Sign in to ScoreCard so the purchase earns points. Our DICK'S ScoreCard rewards guide explains how points become rewards.

Matching skorts to your activity

Care tips that extend life

• Wash after each wear; sweat left in synthetic fabric can cause odors.
• Turn inside out and wash in cold water.
• Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets.
• Air-dry or tumble on low; high heat can damage elastic.
• Wash with similar fabrics, so towels do not shed lint onto the skirt.

Where to look next

For other fashion and activewear offers we confirmed on retailers' own pages, see our Black Friday 2026 fashion and beauty buying guide, or visit the DICK'S Sporting Goods brand page.

See tennis skorts at DICK'S Sporting Goods

Editorial disclosure

SurfGirl may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. That does not affect our coverage. The prices mentioned were checked on the retailer's site on October 30, 2026, and may change.

References

1. Nike. Moisture-Wicking Fabric, Explained: What It Is and How It Works. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://www.nike.com/a/nike-what-is-moisture-wicking
2. DICK'S Sporting Goods. Search results: Nike Victory tennis skort. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/search/SearchDisplay?searchTerm=Nike+Victory+tennis+skort