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The 8 Best Skorts of 2024, According to Our Testers and Editors

Catch us wearing the Vuori Halo Performance Skirt all day, every day

best skorts
Photo:

People / Kristin Kempa

Skorts are as versatile as they are cute — perfect for playing a game of pickleball or attending fall football games. We've seen stars like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lawrence wear skorts, and our editors love them, too.

Experts Say

“Skorts are good for all occasions. Athletic skorts are made with sweat-resistant, lightweight fabrics that are perfect for a day of pickleball. Wrap skirts in heavier, weighted fabrics are great for a casual Friday at the office."—Chelsea Volpe, fashion stylist

We set out to find the best and most reasonably priced skorts. Our team put 34 popular skorts to the test, wearing them around for a few weeks while assessing fit, comfort, opacity, performance, and value.

Read on for the best skorts that PEOPLE tested.

Star Qualities
  • Comfortable fabric with four-way stretch

  • Light compression keeps skort in place

  • Pockets are big enough for keys, a phone, or even a tennis ball

Red Flags
  • No complaints

Vuori products have a strong reputation, so it's no surprise that after testing, the Vuori Halo Performance Skort came out on top. Its materials have a four-way stretch to allow maximum movement and comfort. The elastane and polyester blend wicks away sweat while providing ventilation for the wearer. It was completely opaque and hid any trace of undergarments.

The design of the skirt is stylish, so it could be worn as athletic or streetwear. Plus, the shorts underneath have built-in pockets which you can use for a ball, or to store your keys or phone when walking your dog (like we did during testing). The skort fit accurately based on sizing expectations and given the in-seam length had more of a miniskirt look.

Material: Recycled polyester, elastane | Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 3 | Extra Features: Ball pockets, pleated design

A mirror photo highlighting the shorts inside of the Vuori Halo Performance Skort

People / Erika Reals

Star Qualities
  • Versatile enough for day-to-night wear

  • Material is soft and smooth

  • Allows for mobility

Red Flags
  • Thick waistband sits low on your stomach

  • Shorts bunched up a little bit while walking

For those searching for a pleated, versatile skort you can wear from day to night, look no further than Amazon. We love the small design details like a back pocket to store your phone and the smooth fabric, which was comfortable against our skin.

We appreciated the true-to-size fit and how the waistband had some compression but didn't make us feel squeezed. That said, the waistband is thick and sits lower on your stomach, which took some getting used to. The skort had lovely movement to it and allowed for mobility. You also can’t see through it at all. Occasionally, the under-shorts bunched up a little when walking, but generally, they stayed in place. We walked in this skort frequently, from workouts to the grocery store, and consistently felt comfortable and supported. Considering the low cost, it’s an incredible value.

Material: Polyester, spandex | Sizes: XS–XXL | Colors: 9 | Extra Features: 3 pockets for storage

The back-side view of a person wearing the BALEAF Women's Pleated Tennis Skirt outside

People / Mollie Pendexter

Star Qualities
  • Stayed in place

  • Material remained the same after washing

  • Comfortable fabric and fit

Red Flags
  • Design might be limiting for more active sports

We played golf in this skort three times during our testing period and found the design and functionality were incredibly helpful to our game. The skort fit true-to-size with a good length for coverage and movement. The waistband was comfortable but still held the skort in place. The shorts didn’t shift around when moving, and the overall shape of the skort is a little structured, which works well for a less active sport like golf. 

The skort has no sheer spots and didn’t wear down after any washes. During each golf encounter, the skort stayed in place without sagging, rolling, or otherwise needing to be adjusted. It’s comfortable for all-day wear and performs as advertised.

Material: Recycled polyester, elastane | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 3 | Extra Features: Attached biker shorts, moisture-wicking fabric, zipper pocket

A person wearing the The North Face Women’s Never Stop Wearing Skort while facing the side

People / Lauren Coughlin

Star Qualities
  • Highly compressive fit at the waistband and within the shorts

  • Roomy pockets

  • Breathable and sweat-wicking

  • Opaque fabric hides undergarments

Red Flags
  • Skirt portion consists of two panels rather than one connected piece

For those who like a little more security at the waistband, a compressive skort like the Spanx one will stay locked in place all day. The nylon and elastane not only work together to compress your shape but are quite breathable and help wick away sweat with ease. The shorts have a gripping liner that doesn't move whether you’re running, walking, or otherwise. If you’re playing tennis, like we did a few times while wearing the skort, all you'll need to bring is your tennis bag, since the pockets hold an extra tennis ball easily. There’s also a subtle zippered pocket that’s perfect for a house key, and slitted sides that allow extra ventilation and movement. 

While we would have preferred a more traditional full skirt (this one has two panels of skirt material), we appreciated the true-to-size fit and the comfort of the waistband despite the compression. The shorts stayed in place while we chased tennis balls down on the court, and the shorts were long enough to provide actual coverage. Despite testing the white version of this skort, we had no issues with opacity or even visible panty lines.

Material: Nylon, elastane, polyester | Sizes: XS–3X | Colors: 4 | Extra Features: UPF 50+, mesh liner pocket for storage

Star Qualities
  • Good length for swift movement on pickleball or tennis courts

  • Fits true to size

  • Biker shorts have the same buttery soft fabric as the skirt

Red Flags
  • We wish the skort was a tad longer

  • Fabric wrinkles easily

When you play pickleball, you need a skort that moves with you, has pockets to hold any extra game balls, and features a material that wicks away sweat. This Halara skort (though called a tennis skirt) is, in fact, a perfect skort for pickleball, and a comfortable one at that. We were pleased with the high-to-low design of the skirt portion, while the shorts sat comfortably without riding up or causing chafing. There are two pockets that would fit either a game ball or your phone, if out and about.

The skort has a true-to-size fit, allows swift movement, and has a flattering style with compressive shorts and a high waistband. The silky material was breathable, felt like butter, and wasn’t see-through (thanks to the two-layer design). While we wished the skirt part was a tad bit longer, that wasn’t a dealbreaker and actually works better for pickleball and tennis because it lets you move around more swiftly.

Material: Nylon, elastane | Sizes: XS–4X | Colors: 33 | Extra Features: Ball pockets (can be used for a phone)

A person putting something into the pocket of the Halara Everyday Cloudful Air Fabric Crossover 2-in-1 Side Pocket Cool Touch Tennis Skirt

People / Anna Popp

Star Qualities
  • Smooth fabric was one of the best we tested

  • Barely-there seams and opaque fabric hide skort lines

Red Flags
  • Rolled down at times

  • Could use a bit more compression

One of the more obvious qualities of a skort is how the material feels on your skin and the Athleta Salutation Stash Skort was one of our favorites for the super soft fabric. The buttery smooth feel and barely-there seams were so comfortable that we even napped in the skort a few times, and the fabric doesn’t overheat, either.

The fit was almost as impressive — however, it did roll down some during wear and could use a little more compression. The material continued to dazzle with its opacity, which hid brightly colored undergarments during wear. It has a thickness to it that not only feels secure but doesn’t show anything underneath.

Material: Nylon, Lycra | Sizes: XXS–3X | Colors: 2 | Extra Features: UPF 50+, pockets for storage

Star Qualities
  • Works for athletic and everyday wear

  • Retained its soft feel even after multiple washes and wears

  • Highly comfortable fit

  • More inclusive sizing than most

Red Flags
  • No complaints

If you’re seeking a comfortable, stylish skort for everyday wear, the Racer Float Ultralight Split Skirt is one of our favorites for its versatility. The material proved silky, lightweight, and quite breathable. It sat at a good length, while the split skirt portion allowed for more movement than a structured skort. There are also two pockets for storage.

We wore the skort a few times over two weeks and washed it twice, and it maintained a really solid quality. The fit remained consistent, the shorts stayed in place, and the seams were comfortable and didn’t cause any chafing or irritation. We wore the skort around the house, to run errands, and even to move into a new apartment, and it provided comfort that lasted all day.

Material: Recycled plastic bottles, spandex | Sizes: XXS-6XL | Colors: 1 | Extra Features: High slit for better range of motion

A person wearing the Girlfriend Collective FLOAT Ultralight Split Skort revealing the inner pocket

People / Sarah Felbin

Star Qualities
  • Versatile slit design extends range of motion

  • Looks brand-new after extensive wear and many washes

  • Stays in place all day

Red Flags
  • Quite compressive

  • Fabric runs a little hot

Skorts offer a good range of motion to begin with, but a slit design extends that mobility even more. We have worn this skort for a while and wash it regularly after each wear, as well as drying it in the dryer. The silhouette works well for all activities, with a high-rise style, comfortable yet compressive shorts, and built-in phone pockets. The waistband doesn’t shift or lose its grip as you move. 

The material is completely opaque so you don’t see your undergarments, and it doesn’t scrunch up or need to be adjusted throughout the day. That said, it does run a little hot. We wore it for lounging, walking, and other low-impact activities, and felt that the skort was very well made and performed well. We have been a long-time wearer of Outdoor Voices and every item we've owned has lasted for years (despite multiple washer and dryer cycles).

Material: Polyester, spandex | Sizes: XXS–XXXL | Colors: 1 | Extra Features: Phone pockets in built-in shorts

The Outdoor Voices Court Skort on a white background

People / Anna Popp

Add to Cart

Searching for skorts? You might also be interested in the following PEOPLE-Tested products that won us over in our testing. Add them to your cart to complete your wardrobe update.

What to Know About Skorts

Function 

The skorts on our list all fall within the athletic category, so to function well they need breathable materials, a balance of stretch for comfort and compression for security, and movement so they can serve you when you’re on the go (whether actually playing sports or just running around town). If you’re wearing a skort to play a sport like pickleball, tennis, or golf, you’ll want a ball pocket or two like the Vuori Halo Performance Skirt has. Conversely, for more casual wear, you might want a small zippered pocket on the back to store your keys, earbuds, or other small belongings.

Materials

Comfort, durability, and performance come from the materials used in a skort. Many athletic skorts are made from polyester or nylon, like The North Face Never Stop Wearing Skort, which is durable and sweat-resistant. Others, like the Spanx The Get Moving Skort, have elements of elastane, which creates a stretchy yet compressed fit that's perfect for active movement.

How You’ll Style It

There are lots of ways to style a skort depending on its appearance and your occasion. “Skorts can be paired with your favorite platform sneaker [or Doc Martens] for a casual, cool girl aesthetic,” says Volpe. “Or grab your favorite over-the-knee slouchy suede boot and oversized cable knit sweater for a cozy-comfy fall look.” She adds that “a pleated skort [like the Baleaf Women's Pleated Tennis Skirt] in a dark colorway is a great good go-to for a ladies' night when paired with a satin corset and over-the-knee boots.”

Behind the Scenes

A team of 19 testers wore 34 popular skorts for a few weeks to determine the best options in terms of fit, comfort, opacity, performance, and value.

  • Fit: When each tester tried on the skorts, they considered if the fit matched the sizing expectations. Specifically, they looked at whether the waistband dug in anywhere, if the shorts sat at the right height or caused any chafing, and how easy or difficult it was to put on the skort. 
  • Comfort: Our team looked at how the fabric felt against their skin, if it both stretched but also had compression, and whether the skort had good movement.
  • Opacity: One area of concern when you’re dealing with thin, breathable materials is whether they will be see-through. To test this, we looked for noticeable sheer spots, and if you could see the color of undergarments through the skort material.
  • Performance: In looking at the overall quality and performance of each skort, we considered whether it was comfortable and supportive. If the skort material bunched up at any point or rolled, we took note of it. We looked at whether our testers could move and exercise in the skort, and if the fabric was breathable.
  • Value: After considering each of these qualities, our team weighed the value of each skort with what it offered our testers. We then determined if the price matched the quality of the skort in terms of fit, comfort, opacity, and performance.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Madison Yauger is a shopping editor for PEOPLE with a focus across lifestyle verticals such as home, pets, travel, and beauty. She has a special appreciation for athletic wear as daily clothing, and frequently wears her tennis skorts for errands, walking the dog, and even for brunch. For this story, she spoke to celebrity fashion stylist Chelsea Volpe about what to look for in skorts and how to best style them. She also used tester insights from 19 individuals who tried 34 skorts in the real world, looking at fit, comfort, opacity, performance, and value. Using all of this information, Madison determined the best skorts of 2024.

Our Expert Panel

Chelsea Volpe is a New York-based fashion and still-life stylist. She’s worked with celebrities like Alicia Keys and brands including Bloomingdale’s and Victoria’s Secret.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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