the under $10 clothes club

hcb0804 · Jul 17, 2012

Guys and gals, I gotta tell you in my old age, I have had a revelation.....Sunday I played a match in a Russell Athletic Dri-Power 60% cotton/40% poly shirt that I got 2 of for $5.99 each at Ross. I was more cool and comfortable than in any $50-$80 brand name tennis shirt that I have. I was at Wally world and they have Starter brand dri-fit type shirts and shorts for $6.97, and the C9 stuff at target is good too when you find it on the clearance rack or on sale for under $10. I am done paying these ridiculous prices for tennis clothes. I will continue to wear good shoes and use good quality racquets, but for clothes- under $10, baby!! You young guys can blow your money on the stuff to look like Fed or Nadal, but I am going for minimalist functionality!

Anyone else out there in the under $10 club??

dmagalhaes · Jul 17, 2012

I'm with you. I saw a pair of $40 UA shorts at ***** with the same exact construction and style as some Starter shorts at WM for 11.97. They are obviously coming out of the same factory.

NJ1 · Jul 17, 2012

No doubt a quality racquet (plus strings) and shoes are the only tennis-specific items people need.

I have some Dri-Power Russel shorts (about $9 iirc), deep pockets so often match them with whatever shirt I grab for tennis.

I'll never pay full price for tennis apparel, 40% off is when it starts to get my attention.

zagalab · Jul 17, 2012

Same here. If I ever buy Nike/Adidas it's always at the factory stores/outlets/marshalls/Ross. I've never paid over 20$ for a shirt or shorts!

mikeler · Jul 17, 2012

I've bought the more expensive shirts and the cheaper ones. The cheap ones will definitely tear sooner, shrink more and cause me chafing problems in the extreme heat as they get a little more roughness to them. The $30 UA I bought have lasted much longer but are finally showing signs of wear. Now, I try and get Nike stuff at the outlets or cheaper clothing stores. I have not worn them long enough to know how they perform long term, but on a few of my shirts the Nike logo is about to fall off!

Bartelby · Jul 17, 2012

I used to get a Diadora diffusion line product that was of equivalent quality to any high end product for less than $15 on sale.

Alchemy-Z · Jul 17, 2012

Nike is under $10 in the outlet stores.

and TJ maxx and Ross has cheap Nike/Adidas etc... Iv'e bought two pairs of CB 3.3's for $30 at Ross

and I got Fed's 2010 White with gold check Wimbledon Polo for $12 there.

My wife found the Sharapova Dress from Miami 2011 for $16 bucks as well.

hcb0804 · Jul 17, 2012

I'll still buy some name brand stuff if it is cheap enough, for example the shorts I wore Sunday were some $35 retail black Nike knit tennis specific shorts I found at Ross for $8.99 on clearance rack. But, under $10 is my goal for any tennis/workout clothing!!

dman72 · Jul 17, 2012

The C9 stuff from Target is ok for the money but it wears out fast.

The better buy for me has been the Reebok stuff at BJ's wholesale club. Dri fit shirts and shorts for $10-$12. They look better and last longer. I've had some of the same shirts for 5 years, worn dozens of times. One of them is a bit funky in terms of never quite smelling 100%..but to me those are the way to go.

Vlad_C · Jul 17, 2012

I like the UA Charged Cotton t-shirts. Not under $10, but still ok when on sale.

I would never pay $80 for a polyester Nike - Federer shirt, that cost them like $3 to manufacture and ship here. Plus, I can't stand the feel of plastic on my skin.

ArliHawk · Jul 17, 2012

Vlad_C said:
I like the UA Charged Cotton t-shirts. Not under $10, but still ok when on sale.

I would never pay $80 for a polyester Nike - Federer shirt, that cost them like $3 to manufacture and ship here. Plus, I can't stand the feel of plastic on my skin.

Vlad, you are lucky you can do charged cotton year round. Where I live, the forecast for the next 7 days is 100+. Cotton just doesn't cut it here. Love the charged cotton for the winter, but it's poly/primarily poly for the summer around here.

mikeler · Jul 17, 2012

dman72 said:
The C9 stuff from Target is ok for the money but it wears out fast.

The better buy for me has been the Reebok stuff at BJ's wholesale club. Dri fit shirts and shorts for $10-$12. They look better and last longer. I've had some of the same shirts for 5 years, worn dozens of times. One of them is a bit funky in terms of never quite smelling 100%..but to me those are the way to go.

Those Target shirts with colors can get stinky after awhile even after a washing. I think the Reebok shirt I tried was white and did not give me those issues.

hcb0804 · Jul 17, 2012

mikeler said:
Those Target shirts with colors can get stinky after awhile even after a washing. I think the Reebok shirt I tried was white and did not give me those issues.

yes, all the synthetics hold odors; but I have found a wash product that eliminates the stink. Look for some stuff called Pro Wash activewear detergent-"completely removes perspiration odor, urine, pet odors". It really does work well. I put one scoop of that and one capful of regular laundry detergent in the wash load and all my tennis & workout stuff comes out smelling good! It's a liquid that comes in a plastic bag with a measuring cup. A local tennis chain has it for $14.99, but I found it at Tuesday Morning for $4.99. Good Stuff!

ArliHawk · Jul 17, 2012

hcb0804 said:
yes, all the synthetics hold odors; but I have found a wash product that eliminates the stink. Look for some stuff called Pro Wash activewear detergent-"completely removes perspiration odor, urine, pet odors". It really does work well. I put one scoop of that and one capful of regular laundry detergent in the wash load and all my tennis & workout stuff comes out smelling good! It's a liquid that comes in a plastic bag with a measuring cup. A local tennis chain has it for $14.99, but I found it at Tuesday Morning for $4.99. Good Stuff!

Penguin Sports wash and Win detergent are also great options for washing poly stuff.

snoopy · Jul 17, 2012

mikeler said:
I've bought the more expensive shirts and the cheaper ones. The cheap ones will definitely tear sooner, shrink more and cause me chafing problems in the extreme heat as they get a little more roughness to them.

I agree.

While I find it outrageous to ask over $40 for a pair of tennis shorts or a shirt, there is definitely a difference in quality between the cheaper and more expensive items.

I've looked at a lot of the less expensive clothes in stores like Target, *****, and SPorts Authority. They all seem to be made of a cheaper material that in my experience is uncomfortable and easily pulls or tears. In the end, for me, it's not worth it.

I'd rather spend a few more bucks for something made of better material that will feel better and last longer. I have a few higher end Nike running shirts that I bought more than five years ago at discount. I can't bring myself to throw them out because, eventhough I wear them regularly, they still are in pretty good shape and feel great.

Just shop at discount stores or wait for sales.

Although I do understand that if you are a size Medium, it's difficult to regularly find good deals.

BeGreat · Jul 17, 2012

I'm with you.
I once paid about $60 each for three Nike Airline Polos (back in 2008ish??) that were only offered in Europe. After that, i'm in $10ish range for tees.

chrisberchris · Jul 17, 2012

I see Nike Dri-Fit stuff for 9.99 all the time. Department stores are your friend

hcb0804 · Jul 17, 2012

We just stopped by our neighborhood Ross and I found a great yellow Adidas tech tee, climacool fabric for $7.99 that will be great for tennis! That's what I'm talkin about!!

r2473 · Jul 17, 2012

dman72 said:
The C9 stuff from Target is ok for the money but it wears out fast.

The better buy for me has been the Reebok stuff at BJ's wholesale club. Dri fit shirts and shorts for $10-$12. They look better and last longer. I've had some of the same shirts for 5 years, worn dozens of times. One of them is a bit funky in terms of never quite smelling 100%..but to me those are the way to go.

sams club and costco have good stuff for $10-$20.

i prefer playing in the really cheap, paper thin nike dri-fit shirts compared to the nicer, heavier poly shirts. i bought a gaggle of these when they were $5 on the closeout rack several years ago. most still have the tags on.

i found good reebok shorts with great pockets and shorter than most shorts these days a while back for $15 at sams.

ArliHawk · Jul 17, 2012

r2473 said:
sams club and costco have good stuff for $10-$20.

i prefer playing in the really cheap, paper thin nike dri-fit shirts compared to the nicer, heavier poly shirts.

I hear that, especially during the summer.

hcb0804 · Jul 17, 2012

dman72 said:
The C9 stuff from Target is ok for the money but it wears out fast.

The better buy for me has been the Reebok stuff at BJ's wholesale club. Dri fit shirts and shorts for $10-$12. They look better and last longer. I've had some of the same shirts for 5 years, worn dozens of times. One of them is a bit funky in terms of never quite smelling 100%..but to me those are the way to go.

The only problem I have had with C9 stuff is the heat transfer logos coming off pretty quickly-other than that they wear fine.

Dave_D · Jul 18, 2012

I'm all for the deals. Most of the stuff I have I got on sale for 40% off or more. Now that I have enough stuff to basically play for a week before we do the laundry, I don't have the need to buy anything else. My biggest problem is that I've lost 40 lbs this year and all of my stuff is starting to be too big, but that's ok, better it be too big than too small!

Epictennis · Jul 18, 2012

A lot of Department stores have athletic clothes like Nike and Adidas for good prices. Dri-fit, Climalite and such. Then they have other good deals on them so it ends up being very cheap for a decent quality shirt and brand name. TJ Maxx also has brand name clothes for cheap prices. I once found a Dri-fit Nike Tennis shirt (it said Nike Tennis with a swoosh on it) for around $15 (pretty much 50% off of regular price) but it was Medium, I'm a large in most athletic clothes.

Power Player · Jul 18, 2012

I am a ross/marshalls guy. always hunting for Adi Climalite as I find the shirts really feel great for tennis. They can be around $14 though.

Turbo-87 · Jul 18, 2012

I am part of this club. I usually wear the Target Champion mesh shorts for $8.99. I'll admit I do wear loose Under Armour or Nike Dri Fit shirts from time to time, though. I never wear any tennis specific shorts or shirts because I definitely don't want to look better than my skill level indicates. Haha

Funny how far Starter has fallen. They used to be in every major store and were the thing to wear in the early 90's. Now Tony Romo pushes it at WalMart for cheap.

mikeler · Jul 18, 2012

Power Player said:
I am a ross/marshalls guy. always hunting for Adi Climalite as I find the shirts really feel great for tennis. They can be around $14 though.

Those are my 2 stores too.

Angle Queen · Jul 18, 2012

You guys have it easy. Well, kinda (you have to put up with us women-folk

). Basic t-shirt style and shorts WITH pockets and ya'll look great!

The prices they command for a tennis "dress" or skirt. Whew! But even as someone who knows her way with a sewing machine, skorts can be a constructionist's nightmare so, while I grumble about the prices, I have paid them.

Me, I scour Goodwill for new (Target end-of-season donations) or lightly used "good" stuff. But we've just gotten a Ross nearby and it shows some promise. I'm also lucky to fit in "large" "girls" sizes and picked up a teen Nike short-sleeve shirt for 2.99 the other day. Know it's marketed for soccer (so Goal for me!) but I like a little sleeve sometimes -- in the cooler times to cover the shoulders than never quite get warmed up and in the blazing hot sun to prevent sunburn.

I used to be jealous/envious of the $$$ some friends spent on their tennis duds. Now I question their sanity. Ha!

Count me part of this club. And next year, if I play USTA at all, I'm gonna "boy"cott frilly tennis gear.

texacali · Jul 18, 2012

Hey....my kind of club!!! Yup, nothing over $10.00. Mix of Target and bargain adidas, Nike, and KSwiss. Even my match racket right now was less than $10.00 on liquidation.

the under $10 clothes club

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