What Is a Skort? Why It's the Perfect Golf and Tennis Piece

What is a skort? It is a skirt with built-in shorts underneath, cut so the outer layer reads as a skirt while the inner layer gives you the coverage and freedom of athletic shorts. One garment, two jobs, and no thinking about it once you are on the course. 

That combination explains why skorts took over women's golf and tennis wardrobes. They pass club dress codes, they move with a swing, and they look put together at lunch afterwards. Here is what to know before buying one. 

What Is a Skort, Exactly? 

A skort has two layers stitched into a single waistband. 

The outer layer is a skirt, which might be pleated, flounced, A-line or straight. Underneath sits a pair of fitted shorts, usually a soft compression knit, ending slightly shorter than the skirt hem. 

The two layers are joined at the waist, so they move together and never separate awkwardly. That is the whole design, and it is why a skort feels secure in a way a skirt alone never quite does. 

What Is a Skort Compared With a Skirt or Shorts? 

Each has a place, and the differences are practical rather than stylistic. 

• Tennis skirt. Light and quick, though usually needs separate underlayers for full coverage. 
• Athletic skorts. Complete freedom of movement, yet stricter clubs still prefer a skirt silhouette. 
• Skort. The skirt looks with the shorts function, in one piece. 

For golf and tennis specifically, the skort wins because it satisfies dress codes and movement at the same time. You are never adjusting anything mid-round. 

Why a Skort Works So Well for Golf 

A golf swing is a rotation, and rotation needs room through the hips. 

Straight skirts restrict that turn, so players tug at the hem between shots. A skort's inner shorts let the hips move freely while the outer layer travels with them rather than fighting the motion. 

Bending matters too. Reading a putt, teeing up a ball and retrieving from the cup all involve bending forward in full view of the group. The inner shorts make all of that unremarkable, which is precisely the point. 

Pockets seal the case. Tees, ball markers and a spare glove need somewhere to live, and a skort with real pockets removes the need for a bag trip on every hole. 

Why It Works for Tennis Too 

Tennis asks different things of a garment, and the skort answers those as well. 

Serving lifts the arms and rotates the torso. Lunging opens the legs wide. Split-stepping repeats hundreds of times a match. All three need width through the hem and security underneath. 

Many tennis skorts add a ball pocket on the inner short, sized for a spare ball on serve. It is a small detail that regular players notice immediately. 

What Is a Skort Made Of? Fabric Matters Most 

The cut decides how a skort looks. The fabric decides whether you enjoy wearing it. 

Most performance skorts use a polyester and spandex blend, commonly around 85% polyester with 15% spandex. That combination gives four-way stretch, quick drying and shape retention through repeated washing. 

Sun protection matters enormously for an outdoor sport. A UPF 50 rating blocks the large majority of ultraviolet radiation, which is worth having across four hours in the open. The Skin Cancer Foundation explains how tightly woven fabric outperforms a loose weave here. 

Cotton feels lovely at first, though it holds moisture and grows heavy by the back nine. Save it for the clubhouse rather than the course. 

The Main Skort Styles 

Silhouettes change both the look and the movement. 

Pleated. Folded panels release width on rotation, so pleats suit a full swing especially well. 

Flounce. A soft ruffle at the hem, which reads as more feminine and moves attractively on court. 

A-line. A clean, gently widening shape that flatters most figures and passes any dress code. 

Straight. The most tailored look, though check the hem allows a full stride before buying. 

Browse the range of skorts and shorts to see how each silhouette sits. 

How to Choose the Right Skort 

Five checks cover almost everything. 

• Inner short length. It should sit slightly shorter than the skirt, never peeking below. 
• Waistband. A wide elastic waistband stays flat and does not dig when you bend. 
• Pockets. Check both the outer skirt and the inner short, since many hide pockets inside. 
• Hem length. Measure from your waist to where you want the hem, then compare the size chart. 
• UPF rating. For outdoor play, look for UPF 50 stated on the label. 

Try the swing test in the fitting room. If you can rotate fully and bend forward without adjusting anything, the fit is right. 

Styling a Skort Off the Course 

This is where a skort earns its keep as more than sportswear. 

Pair it with a polo for the course, then swap to a linen shirt or a simple tank for lunch. Add sandals instead of golf shoes and the outfit reads as resort wear rather than athletic kit. 

Prints hide grass marks and travel well, while solid navy, white and black pass every dress code without question. A 3/4 sleeve top over a skort covers the arms for midday sun and still looks polished afterwards. 

Caring for a Performance Skort 

Technical fabric lasts for years when washed gently. 

Machine wash cold, avoid bleach and skip fabric softener, since softener coats performance fibres and reduces both stretch recovery and moisture wicking. Line drying is best, as high heat degrades elastane over time. 

Turn the skort inside out first so the outer layer keeps its finish, and treat grass marks quickly with a stain pen rather than letting them set. 

Sizing a Skort Correctly 

Skorts run differently between brands, so measuring beats guessing. 

Take your natural waist and your fullest hip measurement, then compare both against the size chart rather than relying on your usual dress size. The waistband is where most fit problems start, since a skort sits closer to the natural waist than shorts do. 

Where you fall between two sizes, size up if the waistband is a fixed width and down if it is a wide elastic band with genuine stretch. Elastic gives more than it looks like it will. 

Then check the inner short length against your own comfort. Some sit high on the thigh, others closer to the skirt hem, and this varies far more between brands than the outer length does. 

What Is a Skort: Common Questions 

What is a skort made of? 

Most performance skorts use around 85% polyester with 15% spandex, which gives stretch, quick drying and shape retention. 

Are skorts allowed at golf clubs? 

Yes, in almost every case. An appropriate hem length and a tidy finish satisfy standard dress codes. 

Do all skorts have pockets? 

No, so check before buying. Some have pockets in the outer skirt, others in the inner short, and the best have both. 

How long should a skort be? 

Most sit between 14 and 18 inches from the waist. Choose the length you can bend forward comfortably. 

Can you wear a skort for everyday? 

Absolutely. Swap the polo for a linen shirt and it works for travel, lunch or resort days. 

What is the difference between a skort and a skirt? 

A skort has shorts built into the waistband. A skirt does not, so it needs a separate underlayer. 

The Bottom Line 

So, what is a skort? It is the one garment that satisfies a golf dress code, a full swing and a lunch reservation without compromise. Choose a stretch polyester blend with UPF 50, real pockets and a wide waistband, then let the silhouette suit your taste. 

Ready to find yours? Explore the skorts collection or browse the full UPF 50 active range.