How to Style Athletic Skort(s)—That Is the Question

Sifting through your wardrobe each morning can be a fun adventure. If you’re in an early morning rush, however, it can feel a little stressful. Which top goes with that bottom? Do these two items clash? Argh!

While we don’t always want to pre-plan each outfit we’re going to wear the night before, it can be helpful to have a sense of what pieces work well together. And when it comes to athletic skorts, it’s key to know not only what pairs well with them, but on what occasions you could wear them (*by the way, it’s more than you might think!)

But what about that trusty tennis skirt—isn’t it basically the same thing? Can’t you just default to wearing one of those? While they do share some similarities, there are some very notable differences between tennis skirts and skorts. And you may actually find athletic skorts are far more versatile in the end, so they might be an easier choice. We’ll jump into those details below!    

Athletic Skort or Tennis Skirt: What’s the Difference?

Athletic skorts and tennis skirts can both serve a purpose in your wardrobe. But think of them as sisters instead of identical twins. 

An athletic skort has built-in shorts underneath the overlay material (the skirt part.) The shorts are form-fitting and often have a soft, stretchy material to them. Typically, these built-in shorts are the same color as the skirt, so they blend in quite seamlessly underneath. Often, no one even knows they're there but you. 

A tennis skirt, on the other hand, is about as breezy as they come. And that may be nice for some circumstances. But I personally wouldn’t want my skirt flipping over and exposing my undergarments each time I bend over to grab a tennis ball, tie my shoe, or pick up dropped keys. A tennis skirt makes you think twice about those movements, no doubt. 

The beauty of the skort, however, is that even when this does happen, you’ve got full-blown, built-in coverage and protection every time. No mortifying moments here!  

Hitting the Tennis Court? Swap That Skirt for a Skort! 

We get it—you’ve grown accustomed to wearing a tennis skirt to the courts and not really dithering about it. But a skort is truly just a leveled-up tennis skirt, after all. Having that under armor as part of the package will ultimately make your game feel a whole lot better. (A skort can’t guarantee extra points, of course, but it can score you extra comfort and protection!) 

The shorts underneath help prevent chafing on those hot days during a sweaty match, which is a total life-saver. In fact, most skorts have essential wick-away fabric that targets this exact situation. Imagine they also had period leak protection? You’re in luck, actually, because we thought of that, too. Take a look at our LeakStrong Leakproof Skort—they’ll tick all of your boxes.  

But a tennis court is definitely not the only place for a skort. And that regulation “tennis whites only” polo shirt is far from the only appropriate pairing out there. Remember when we mentioned how versatile skorts can be? Read on to find out more.

3 Other Ways to Style Athletic Skorts–And When to Wear Them

So skorts are primo for a tennis game. This we know. But what about other spaces and places? Let’s solve this whole “how to style athletic skort” situation once and for all. Here are three other ways (and circumstances) you can wear a skort. 

Casual Events

This one sounds pretty intuitive, since skorts tend to lean towards a casual feel, but we’ll dig into the fun of it anyway. Regardless of whether you’re going for a walk in the park with a friend, or out for a hang with the gals at a local cafe, a skort is your (other) companion.  

Whether you’re feeling a plain black t-shirt paired with a funky, floral skort (yes, even those exist now!) or perhaps a graphic tee tucked into a more basic, solid colored number, the world is your oyster when it comes to your skort vibe of the day. With all the fun prints and colors available in the skorts world now, not to mention those steadfast solids we all love, the options are endless.   

Transitioning from day to night is also a total cinch with a skort. Think of the “elevated casual” potential when you simply add a necklace or a hip boot to your day-to-night skort get up.   

Work (*Think: Paired With a Collared Shirt or Blouse)

Athletic skorts have evolved so much over time. In recent years, skorts have even started cropping up in various lengths, which gives you tons of options.

Depending on your work setting and dress code, you may even be able to get away with pairing your favorite medium length or long black skort (as an example) with your favorite collared shirt or blouse. Sounds pretty work appropriate to me! You’ll blend right in, and no one will even suspect there are shorts hidden underneath. Add some pretty stud earrings to that outfit and you’re bound to look both professional and fashionable. How very put together!

If you’re employed at a more casual workplace, you may have more leeway with length. Besides, who says you can’t still look sharp if it’s short? With the right pairing, you could definitely make it work. Pairing a skort with a sweater vest, for example, allows for more of a preppy look while giving that shorter skort a polished feel.

In the Name of Modesty

Skorts can be super chic and feminine while still giving you that modest overall feeling. It’s one of the many things we love about them. It’s great to feel cute while also feeling comfortable and protected from all angels. 

But it’s totally okay if crop tops and mini skirts are more of your jam. We all have the right to make our own fashion rules, after all! For those of us who may prefer more of a modest aesthetic, however, skorts are the perfect go-to. Because even in the shortest skort length out there, you’re basically in the clear anytime, anywhere—yes, even on a rollercoaster in extreme winds.   

Final Tip (*For Athletic Skorts and Tennis Skirts Alike):

When shopping around for any garment, you’ll want to take into account the size and fit factor before making that final commitment. Our best advice? Always try things on to be sure. 

Sometimes sizing can change dramatically from brand to brand, or a fit description can be a little off from reality. The key is to make sure your skorts, and your skirts, fit comfortably at the waist or hips (depending on where you want them to rest) without being too loose, or squeezing too tightly. 

Our LeakStrong Leakproof Skort comes in various sizes to fit all body shapes and types, so we’re quite sure you’ll find the perfect fit for you. Happy browsing! 

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.