Alright folks, I knew I needed a new tennis dress – my old ones were either boring solids or fit like a sack. Saw those cool striped ones everyone’s rocking and decided to jump in. Buckle up, here’s how it went down.
The Frustrating Search Begins
First thing? Hit up my usual online spots. Wow, so many stripes! Thick ones, thin ones, diagonal ones, crazy colors… Felt overwhelming real quick. Scrolled for what felt like hours. Found a few possibilities, saved them. But screens lie, right? Couldn’t trust how they’d actually look or feel.
Getting My Hands Dirty at the Store
Knew I had to try stuff ON. Went to a couple sportswear stores after work. Grabbed anything striped in my general size range. Lesson #1 learned fast: Not all stripes are created equal, and not all tennis dresses are built the same.
Tried one on – stripes going sideways. Made me look weirdly wide. Instant nope. Next one had thin vertical stripes, which was better, but the fabric was stiff, like cardboard. Moved like I was wearing a box. No good for chasing down lobs.
Found another one. Thicker vertical stripes, slightly spaced out. Fabric felt soft, kinda stretchy. Took it to the mirror. Okay, not bad! Did some air swings, lunged a bit (felt a little silly). Checked:
- Up top: Straps felt secure, no weird digging.
- The bodice: Snug but not suffocating when I twisted.
- Skirt part: Short enough for movement, didn’t feel like I was flashing the court.
- Length overall: Hit me mid-thigh, which felt right.
Big win! The vertical stripes actually felt slimming, and the dress moved with me.
What Stuck With Me (The Real Tips)
So, after all that messing around, here’s what actually matters when picking a striped tennis dress:
- Vertical is Usually Your Friend: Honestly, side-to-side stripes? Rarely flattering. Look for vertical lines – they just look cleaner and leaner.
- Fabric Matters BIG TIME: That cardboard dress taught me. You need stretch. Look for blends with spandex or elastane. It’s gotta move when you do, breathe, and not feel sticky. Performance fabric is key for sweating buckets.
- Move Around in the Dressing Room: Don’t just stand there! Swing your arms like you’re serving. Do a squat or lunge. Reach up high. Does it ride up? Do the straps fall? Does it pinch? This is non-negotiable.
- Check the Lining! Especially for lighter colors. Make sure it’s not see-through when you bend over or stretch. A built-in short underneath is a mega bonus.
- Skirt Length & Movement: Find the sweet spot where you feel covered during intense play but it doesn’t hinder your strokes or feel cumbersome.
It took some trial and error, finding that good one. Don’t be afraid to try stuff on and move. Ignore the hanger look. The stripes are fun, but the fit and function make the dress work on the court. Hope this saves you some hassle!