Best Dressed: PPA Indoor National Championships
The professional pickleball circuit returned to action this week at the PPA Indoor National Championships in Minnesota, where players faced frigid winter conditions outside but brought serious heat with their court fashion inside. Despite the snow and cold temperatures blanketing the region, the indoor venue provided the perfect runway for some of the sport’s biggest stars to showcase their winter style game. From bold statement pieces to coordinated ensembles, the athletes proved once again that pickleball fashion has evolved into an integral part of the professional game. These carefully curated looks demonstrate how the sport’s apparel has matured beyond basic athletic wear into genuine fashion statements that reflect each player’s personality while maintaining the performance standards required at the highest competitive levels.
Nicole Conard’s Star-Studded Statement
Nicole Conard absolutely dominated the fashion conversation at the PPA Indoor National Championships with a look that perfectly balanced edginess and elegance. Her outfit centered around a mesh star top, which featured long sleeves with semi-transparent star patterns that caught the light beautifully under the indoor venue’s bright competition lighting. The mesh overlay provided visual interest without sacrificing functionality, allowing for breathability during intense rallies while creating a distinctive silhouette that stood out both on camera and in person.
She paired this show-stopping top with a Pinspark skirt in classic black, which served as the perfect counterbalance to the boldness of the star-patterned top. The simplicity of the black skirt allowed the top to remain the focal point while providing a sleek, streamlined bottom half that emphasized movement and agility. This combination demonstrated sophisticated styling instincts, understanding that sometimes the best fashion choices involve letting one statement piece shine while supporting it with complementary basics. The overall effect was polished yet playful, professional yet personality-driven, exactly the kind of look that resonates with pickleball fans who want to see athletes express themselves while competing at the highest level. Nicole’s choice to wear something this distinctive shows the confidence that comes with being comfortable in your own skin and willing to take fashion risks on the court.
Anna Bright’s Functional Elegance
Anna Bright brought a different approach to tournament style, opting for the JOOLA Women’s Court Racerback Dress, which exemplifies the evolution of performance pickleball apparel. This dress represents the perfect marriage of function and fashion, featuring design elements specifically engineered for the demands of professional pickleball while maintaining an aesthetic that looks fantastic both during competition and in post-match photos. The racerback design serves multiple purposes, providing unrestricted shoulder movement crucial for overhead shots and serves while creating clean, athletic lines that photograph beautifully.
The sleek back cutout adds visual interest and increases ventilation, addressing one of the key challenges of indoor tournament play where air circulation can be limited compared to outdoor venues. The A-line skirt incorporates movement-friendly construction that flows naturally during quick directional changes and split-step positioning, essential elements of high-level pickleball play. This silhouette also flatters a wide range of body types, making it a practical choice for players who want to feel confident and comfortable throughout long tournament days. The dress demonstrates how pickleball-specific apparel brands like JOOLA have invested in understanding the unique needs of the sport, creating garments that don’t simply repurpose tennis or other racquet sport designs but instead address the specific movement patterns, court positioning, and playing conditions unique to pickleball. Anna’s choice reflects a player who values performance-oriented design without sacrificing style, understanding that looking good and playing well aren’t mutually exclusive goals.
Kiora Kunimoto’s Valentine’s Vibes
Kiora Kunimoto made waves both with her impressive semifinal singles run and her fashion choice, wearing the Wilson Rally Halter Dress in the Bloom colorway. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, with the tournament taking place in late January, making this floral-inspired dress an early nod to the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday. The halter neckline creates a sophisticated look that differs from the more common racerback and tank-style dresses frequently seen on the professional circuit, offering a fresh take on tournament attire.
The Bloom pattern features delicate floral elements that bring a touch of spring to the Minnesota winter setting, creating a cheerful contrast to the snowy conditions outside the venue. This psychological element of fashion shouldn’t be underestimated—wearing bright, optimistic colors and patterns during dreary winter months can positively impact mood and confidence, potentially translating to better on-court performance. The halter design also provides excellent range of motion for serves and overhead shots while creating an elegant neckline that photographs beautifully. Kiora’s success in the tournament while wearing this dress demonstrates that players don’t need to sacrifice style for performance, and that feeling good about your appearance can actually enhance competitive results. The Wilson Rally line has gained popularity among professional players for its durability and thoughtful construction, and the Bloom colorway adds personality to an already well-designed athletic dress.
Grayson Goldin’s Winter-Perfect Coordination
Grayson Goldin selected a color scheme perfectly suited for a winter indoor championship, wearing NOX Sport apparel in a coordinated blackberry tone. His outfit consisted of the NOX Pro Blackberry Shirt paired with the matching NOX Pro Blackberry Shorts, creating a cohesive head-to-toe look that demonstrated the power of thoughtful color coordination. The deep purple-berry hue evoked winter berries and provided rich, saturated color that stood out against the indoor court’s neutral flooring and background.
The NOX Pro line represents European styling sensibilities applied to pickleball apparel, offering fits and color palettes that differ from many American brands. This particular shade of blackberry purple hits a sweet spot between bold and sophisticated, making a statement without veering into overly loud territory. The matching set approach creates visual continuity that looks polished and intentional, suggesting a player who pays attention to details both in fashion and in gameplay. The technical construction of NOX apparel includes moisture-wicking fabrics and strategic ventilation, crucial for maintaining comfort during the intense physical demands of professional tournament play. Grayson’s choice to wear a fully coordinated outfit rather than mixing pieces from different brands or colorways shows commitment to a complete aesthetic vision, and the result is a clean, professional appearance that looks fantastic both in action shots and casual tournament photography.
Gio Morelli’s Bold Red Statement
Gio Morelli turned heads with a striking combination featuring the Alo Match Point Tennis Skirt in bright red, paired with a white asymmetrical one-shoulder long-sleeve crop top. For players looking to recreate this asymmetrical aesthetic, there are similar options available that capture the same modern, fashion-forward vibe. This outfit represented one of the boldest color choices at the tournament, with the vibrant red creating immediate visual impact against the court’s backdrop.
The asymmetrical one-shoulder design of the top brought high-fashion sensibility to the pickleball court, proving that avant-garde styling elements can work in athletic contexts when executed properly. This neckline style has been trending in activewear, bridging the gap between gym wear and street style in ways that resonate with younger players and fashion-conscious fans. The long sleeve provides coverage and warmth appropriate for indoor winter play while the crop length keeps the overall look balanced and modern. The bright red skirt from Alo’s Match Point collection offers the performance features expected from a premium activewear brand, including built-in shorts, stretchy fabric that moves with the body, and construction designed to maintain its shape through repeated wear and washing. The red and white color combination is classic and bold, evoking both athletic heritage and contemporary style. Gio’s willingness to wear such a distinctive look demonstrates the confidence that comes from knowing your personal style and committing to it fully, rather than playing it safe with more conventional choices.
Anna Leigh Waters’ Nike Debut Continues
Anna Leigh Waters showcased her second Nike look since the announcement of her partnership with the iconic brand, wearing a sleeveless blue performance top paired with a matching blue skirt. This appearance continued the rollout of what promises to be a significant relationship between one of pickleball’s biggest stars and one of the world’s most recognizable athletic brands. The sleeveless blue top featured subtle ribbed texture that added visual dimension without overwhelming the clean, classic design. This textural element catches light differently than smooth fabrics, creating interest in photographs and video footage while maintaining a sophisticated, understated aesthetic.
The classic blue colorway represents a versatile choice that works across seasons and can be easily mixed and matched with other pieces, demonstrating the kind of practical thinking that professional athletes need when traveling to multiple tournaments throughout the year. The matching blue skirt created a monochromatic look that’s both timeless and on-trend, as tonal dressing continues to dominate fashion across athletic and casual contexts. Nike’s entry into pickleball apparel through partnerships with top players like Anna Leigh signals the sport’s growing mainstream recognition and commercial viability. The brand’s vast resources and design expertise applied to pickleball-specific garments will likely push the entire industry forward, raising standards for performance, durability, and style. Anna Leigh’s choice to wear coordinated Nike ensembles helps establish her personal brand identity while introducing Nike’s pickleball offerings to the sport’s passionate fan base. The blue color palette also photographed beautifully under the indoor lighting conditions, appearing crisp and vibrant in tournament footage and social media posts.
Hunter Johnson’s Icy Blue Coordination
Hunter Johnson embraced winter-appropriate tones with a coordinated icy blue outfit featuring the Wilson Court Performance Crew in airy blue paired with the Wilson Tournament Short V2. This winning combination demonstrated how thoughtful color selection can create thematic coherence with tournament conditions—the pale, cool blue tones perfectly evoked the icy Minnesota winter weather outside while providing a fresh, clean appearance on court.
The Court Performance Crew represents Wilson’s commitment to creating pickleball-specific apparel that addresses the sport’s unique demands. The crew neck style offers a classic, universally flattering cut that provides adequate coverage without restricting movement during serves and overhead shots. The fabric construction balances breathability with structure, maintaining its shape throughout long tournament days while wicking moisture away from the skin. The Tournament Short V2 includes features specifically designed for competitive play, including secure pockets for holding extra balls during serves, a comfortable waistband that stays in place during quick movements, and a length that provides coverage without interfering with leg motion. The unlined version offers maximum breathability, particularly important in indoor venues where air circulation may be limited. Hunter’s choice to coordinate both pieces in the same icy blue colorway created a polished, intentional appearance that conveyed professionalism and attention to detail. The monochromatic approach also has practical benefits, making packing for tournaments simpler since multiple pieces can work together interchangeably.
Catherine Parenteau’s Navy Excellence
Catherine Parenteau started 2026 strong with excellent outfit choices, wearing the Skechers Court Tank in navy paired with the Skechers Ace Pleated Skort in navy. This outfit highlighted Skechers’ significant improvements in their pickleball fashion offerings, demonstrating that the brand has evolved beyond their footwear expertise to create compelling apparel options. The Court Tank provides a classic silhouette that works for players who prefer more traditional athletic styling rather than trendy cuts that may quickly date.
The navy colorway offers timeless appeal that never goes out of style, making it a smart investment for players building their tournament wardrobes. Navy also has the practical advantage of being less prone to showing sweat or dirt compared to lighter colors, important during long tournament days with multiple matches. The Ace Pleated Skort combines the coverage of shorts with the aesthetic of a skirt, featuring pleating details that add visual interest and femininity while maintaining full functionality. The pleats allow for natural movement and create a flattering silhouette that works across different body types. Skechers’ decision to invest heavily in their pickleball apparel line reflects the brand’s recognition of the sport’s explosive growth and the opportunity to serve this expanding market. Catherine’s choice to wear head-to-toe Skechers demonstrates confidence in the brand’s offerings and helps showcase their range to fans and fellow players. The coordinated navy look appeared polished and professional, proving that sometimes the most effective fashion statements come from executing classic styles exceptionally well rather than chasing every trend.
Hurricane Tyra Black and Parris Todd’s Sunshine Yellow
Tyra Black and Parris Todd brought some much-needed sunshine to the Minnesota winter, wearing coordinated head-to-toe Alo ensembles in candlelight yellow. Their matching outfits featured the Alo Grand Slam Skirt in candlelight yellow paired with the Wild Thing Bra in the same cheerful hue, topped with the
