It took me ten years to figure out that the tennis outfit you wear really does matter in whether you win or not.
If you asked me what to wear when playing tennis ten years ago, I would probably shrug my shoulders and say:
"Just something that allows you to move around?"
Now I can only smile - because I have already paid too high a price for this sentence.
I once wore a "seemingly professional" dress and while playing the game, I was constantly pulling the hem of the dress to catch the serve. I also tried that kind of shirt with zero sweat-absorbing ability, and halfway through the game I felt like I was trapped in plastic wrap. You think you're playing against your opponent, but in fact you're fighting against your clothes.
Later, I gradually came to understand that a good tennis outfit is not just about making you look like a skilled player, but also about actually enabling you to play better.
If you are currently also looking for the right tennis outfit, then my decade-long "painful and bitter experience" should be able to save you a lot of time (and some unnecessary moments of breakdown).
The first time I realized: Clothes can really hold you back.
It was an extremely hot and sweltering afternoon match.
I wore a new outfit that I had just bought. While trying it on, I thought - wow, it really makes me look slim, neat and "professional". But when I went on stage, problems started to arise:
- Not breathable → After three rounds, it looks as if just washed and not dried
- The skirt gets caught on the legs → The stride becomes smaller, and the rhythm completely gets disrupted
- The waistline is loose → Every two steps, one wants to adjust it
The most dangerous thing is that you will start to get distracted.
Tennis is already difficult enough. You also have to allocate some of your attention to thinking: "Am I looking really clumsy right now?"
I lost that game, and I didn't lose unfairly.
What exactly should a reliable tennis outfit look like?
Later, I began to take this matter seriously. I tried many styles and many brands (including some designs I came across later from duskyonder), and gradually developed my own set of standards.
To put it simply, a good tennis outfit must meet these requirements:
1.When you swung the racket, you completely forgot what you were wearing.
This is the highest standard.
If you are serving the ball, you will feel your shoulders being pulled;
If you are retrieving the ball, you will worry about whether your skirt will get stuck.
No matter how nice that outfit is, it still doesn't meet the requirements.
Nowadays, I have a little habit when choosing clothes:
When trying them on, I will definitely perform several complete swinging motions in place (yes, in the fitting room, it might look like I'm a weirdo, but it's very useful).
What truly allows you to be "completely undisturbed" is the right choice.
2. Poor ventilation = Chronic suicide
Especially when playing ball in humid weather, this factor directly determines whether you can maintain your performance or not.
The biggest mistake I've made is buying those thick fabrics that "seem very high-end".
The result is:
You are not sweating; you are "storing sweat".
Now my principle is very simple:
- The fabric should be lightweight
- It should dry quickly
- The most important thing: It should not stick to the body and remain in place
Some series with a more functional design (such as certain styles of duskyonder) pay more attention to details in this regard. For instance, the texture of the fabric and the ventilation structure. After wearing them for a long time, you will clearly notice the differences.
3. The details of the design can truly determine whether you can stay focused.
This is something that only those who have been playing ball for a long time can understand.
Here are a few details that I pay special attention to:
- Will the inner shorts slip up (this is really annoying)?
- Is there a pocket for holding the ball (don't underestimate this, it's crucial in the game)?
- Is the waist stable (constant adjustments to the clothes really affect the rhythm)?
I have a dress that is stylish in every way, but it has no pockets.
Every time I play a game, I have to hold the ball in my hand like a beginner - later I simply "downgraded" it to a piece of clothing suitable only for taking photos.
4. When you put it on, will you unconsciously stand up straighter?
This might sound a bit esoteric, but I can assure you it's true.
When you put on a tennis outfit that you like and that makes you feel "in top form", you will look and feel completely different.
You would be more willing to take the initiative,
more daring to go online,
and even when losing, you would do so with more confidence (laughing).
I currently have several "competition-specific outfits". Once I put them on, I automatically get into the right mindset.
That feeling is somewhat like... the mental switch has been turned on.
How do I choose my tennis outfit now?
After all these years of working, I have developed a kind of "lazy but effective" logic.
Daily practice: Comfort is the top priority. Don't overthink it.
- Simple tops + lightweight skirts/shorts
- The color doesn't matter (as long as you'll sweat)
- Key point: Do it however makes you feel most comfortable.
Playing basketball is not like a fashion show, really.
Competing with friends: A touch of "style"
At this point, I will be a little more meticulous:
- The colors will match well.
- The cuts will be more precise.
- Occasionally, choose some designs with a sense of style.
Designs like duskyonder, which are simple yet detailed, are very suitable for this kind of scene - not too ostentatious, but it makes it look like you are "a person who is truly living your life earnestly".
Match Day: Everything revolves around "stability"
I have a strict rule for my competitions:
Never wear the clothes that you wore for the first time on your upper body.
You don't know if it will:
- Suddenly loosened
- Scratched the skin
- Or "ruined your state of mind" at a critical moment
The competition outfit must be something you can fully trust.
Regarding "good looks", my current criteria are quite realistic.
Previously, what I was after was:
"Wow, this must be really eye-catching."
Now what I'm more concerned about is:
"This outfit makes me look like someone who is really good at playing sports."
There is a significant difference.
I basically follow these principles now:
- Don't be too flashy
- Don't be too complicated
- The lines should be clean
- A little bit of design sense is enough
To put it simply:
It looks professional, rather than being overdone.
Finally, let me say something sincere.
If you are just starting to play tennis, you might wonder:
"Does it really matter what you wear?"
I thought the same way before.
But now I will tell you directly:
It won't make you suddenly stronger, but it will prevent you from making many unnecessary mistakes.
In tennis, making fewer mistakes is itself an advantage.
Over the years, I have tried many different styles and gradually found the one that suits me best. Some designs have surprised me, while others have made me regretful. But in the end, what remained were the outfits that allowed me to focus on playing without having to worry about adjusting.
It was only after I came across duskyonder that I realized that some clothes are truly designed to serve the act of "playing" itself, rather than just for the sake of being aesthetically pleasing.
If you are currently looking for a truly suitable tennis outfit for yourself, my advice is quite simple:
Don't just focus on how you look in the mirror.
Imagine yourself running on the court, swinging the racket, and sweating.
At that moment, you were still comfortable. That was truly the right thing to do.