As pro pickleball’s resident fashion journalist and self-appointed fashion police, it’s time to break down JW Johnson’s Tide Pod-inspired shirt from the Veolia Pickleball National Championships.

One thing that consistently stands out about Johnson is his willingness to push beyond the typical on-court style playbook. He doesn’t just show up, he experiments. And it works. Especially when paired alongside his mixed doubles partner and younger sister, Jorja Johnson, who has firmly established herself as a mainstay on any best dressed list. The two don’t just play well together, they dress the part, often coordinating in a way that feels intentional without being overdone.

Let’s be honest: dressing for mixed doubles can be surprisingly tricky. Striking that balance between matching and individuality isn’t easy. But JW is one of the few players I consistently look to for how it’s done right on the men’s side. Time and time again, he complements Jorja’s looks seamlessly, and more importantly, he leans into it.

JW has never shied away from bold fashion choices throughout his pickleball career. From vibrant colors to experimental patterns, he’s consistently shown a willingness to step outside the normand that deserves credit.

But with experimentation comes risk. Sometimes it pays off, and sometimes it misses the mark entirely. Take, for instance, the cow print pants he debuted back in 2023—still widely remembered as one of his more questionable fashion moments.

And this Tide Pod shirt might be the next addition to his list of infamous fashion swings.

Johnson debuted the look during the mixed doubles round of 64, and at first glance, the swirling green-and-white pattern immediately called to mind a kind of ‘70s psychedelic, disco-era tie-dye. It’s part of Nike’s Project F.R.O.G. collection, but a recognizable label doesn’t automatically make something a win. The fact that it’s described online as “glossy” only raises more questions, because if there’s any kind of sheen in person…that’s a tough sell.

It’s not great. But it’s not a total disaster either.

I’ll almost always side with a player who’s willing to try something different over someone who puts zero thought into their on-court look. Making a statement, even a polarizing one, beats playing it completely safe. And to be fair, I didn’t totally hate it at first. Yes, it’s visually loud, borderline overstimulating, but pairing it with matching green shorts at least gave the outfit some level of intention.

Caden Nemoff commented: “I literally saw it today and told him to burn it hahaha.”

Parris Todd, a Best Dressed List regular said: “Is this shirt a hindrance???”

But JW defended the shirt in the comments: “Haters gonna hate.”

However, JW didn’t bring the shirt back for the remainder of the event. Instead, he switched to a clean white t-shirt paired with his green shorts—a far more understated, streamlined look that ultimately earned him a spot on the tournament’s Best Dressed List.

Despite defending the original fit, he clearly opted not to run it back, which suggests the criticism may have landed more than he let on—or, as Nemoff joked, it may have “met its fate” off-court. At the very least, he didn’t wear it during the same event where he and partner Anna Leigh Waters took down the No. 1 seeds. And frankly, losing while wearing a shirt compared to a Tide Pod would have been a tough narrative to escape. 

What do you think of JW’s Tide Pod shirt? Let us know on Instagram.