You never get a second chance to make a good first impression... even in pickleball.

Think about it.

Your fashion is the first thing fellow players notice when you hit the court. And for the guys, it’s incredibly easy to look sharp with minimal effort.

So if you’re hoping to find a cute pickleball girl, a good pickleball outfit increases your chances of landing a date tenfold. That's because the majority of guys show up to play wearing clothes that fail to impress. In fact, your fashion is probably harming your chances of securing a date (And if you’re a ball hog, that won't help your situation either).

Michael Loyd has some of the best fashion sense among the male pros.

His girlfriend, Juliet Steinhauer shared some tips for guys to elevate their pickleball fashion and attract a pickleball girlie.

Take note of these words of wisdom.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Juliet Steinhauer (@avgpickleball_gal)

1. Throw out clothes you’ve had since college

“Men need to throw away their T-shirts from 2018,” advised Steinhauer. “Guys have shirts, shorts, and socks with so many holes in them. They’re literally falling apart. If the logo is faded or there’s stains, throw it away and get new clothes.”

It’s extremely common for men to still rock that beloved shirt from their college glory days, but it’s time to let it go. Buy a new, clean shirt that’s free of holes and sweat stains. 

If you really want to keep repping that alma mater of yours, I promise your university is still selling athletic shirts for you to wear during pickleball matches.

Just invest in a new one. It’ll go a long way. 

Notice how none of your favorite male pros have holes or stains on their shirts, so if you want to play as well as them, you’ve got to at least look the part.

2. Stick to the basics and keep it clean

If you’re investing in new athleisure, it can be tempting to do something bold like buying a neon orange shirt to make you stand out, but I recommend sticking to basic pieces.

A basic is a plain white, black, navy, brown, or gray staple shirt or short. A basic isn’t overly trendy, but instead something you can wear any time for the next few years (or until you get a hole in it because then you know what to do).  

Basics are clean, fresh, and make you look put together with very minimal effort. Just wearing a clean white shirt and black shorts with white socks and shoes will put you head and shoulders above the rest of the guys wearing mismatched outfits and shirts that are over five years old. 

“Get a few basics and mix and match with neutrals,” said Steinhauer. “If you want to wear a bright top, that’s cool, just wear it with a neutral bottom. Keep it simple. You don’t have to be going all out with bright pink or neon. That can be way too much.” 

If you want to go for a bright top, pair it with neutral-colored shorts to balance the look. 

Here’s an example from Federico Staksrud at the Select Medical Orange County Cup. 

Staksrud picked a bright orangish red short, but paired the rest of his look with a crisp white shirt, hat, socks, and shoes (that even have a pop of that orangish red color).

It's an excellent look. 

3. It’s not what you wear, it’s how you wear it

“I think swag is the number one thing. It’s not necessarily the clothes, but how you wear them,” explained Steinhauer. “Michael is just kind of a swaggy guy. He has jewelry, earrings, necklaces, and tattoos. He has that cool vibe that makes him look good no matter the clothes.” 

If you’re confident and kind on the pickleball court, your natural charisma will transform your simple outfit into something that always stands out.

---

Here are some other notable pros who have the kind of charm that absolutely elevates their outfits. 

Hunter Johnson

Some of Johnson’s best looks are when he picks a neutral, like a navy top and bottom, and wears all white or all black accessories with it. Effortlessly cool and incredibly easy to re-create for yourself.

Gabe Joseph

No matter what Joseph wears, he’s got that swag Steinhauer was talking about that makes any outfit look incredibly cool.  

Hayden Patriquin

Patriquin is a great pro player for wardrobe inspo because he rocks plenty of clean neutral fits. And just one highlight reel of this guy playing tells me he’s got that killer aura, too. 

---

In short, just put a few seconds of effort into your pickleball clothes. 

It can make a world of difference.

“I think it’s hard for the guys because sometimes they just don’t care,” said Steinhauer. “They throw on whatever they feel like and it’s usually whatever was on top of the laundry pile.” 

Now, you know better.

Let these tips be your guide.

Want more advice that benefits every part of your game? Follow us on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).