Sport & fashion at their best: Tennis dresses at the US Open

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Wilson Blade 9

The US Open is in its second week, so it’s time for me to do my traditional Grand Slam fashion overview. Once again, I’ve created a comprehensive presentation of the WTA styles ruling the courts at Flushing Meadows this year. There’s such a variety of outfits that one can’t draw a conclusion what’s fashionable in today’s women’s tennis. There is no single design feature that is present in most looks, rather, we have everything, from classic sporty designs to tutus. However, we can say that keyhole cutouts, pleats and colorblocks are here to stay.

Fashion designer Virgil Abloh cooperated with Nike to create this ballerina-inspired tennis dress for Serena Williams. Rich tulle skirt, single long sleeve and nude colorblock at chest to mimic an off-shoulder look are a combination we have never before seen in WTA fashion.

This unconventional tennis dress will definitely remain one of the most memorable Grand Slam outfits ever.

Matching the tutu is this PE version of the NikeCourt Flare shoe. BTW, have you seen on Serena’s Instagram that her baby Olympia has the Nike x Off-White Blazer Mid model? So cute!

During her Under Armour days, Sloane Stephens always rocked beautifully-colored solid dresses and this NikeCourt Fall Slam Dress reminds me of those styles, as this vibrant orange design with large side slit that exposes matching printed shorts perfectly suits the reigning champion.

Wide narrow cutout is a nice touch that makes the back more ventilated.

World No.1 Simona Halep chose the guava ice version of the same dress.

TENNIS FASHION AT OTHER 2018 GRAND SLAMS:

Aryna Sabalenka continues her strong US hardcourt season in New York and has the looks to match the success — the Nike Fall Slam Seamless Tank and Nike Fall Victory Skirt. An all-around pleated skirt is a safe choice that never goes out of style. What I love the most about this outfit is the combination of vibrant orange and powdery pink, two colors I wouldn’t normally pair, but which turned out to look wonderful together, especially with the contrast of the skirt’s green exposed elastic waistband. Many players sport this look, but the in-form Belarusian is my favorite because she accessorizes with a headband, IMO an always-welcome retro touch.

Here’s Victoria Azarenka wearing the guava ice tank with the navy skirt, but I prefer Sabalenka’s choice of colors.

Vika’s shoes are adorable, as they celebrate her son Leo.

Maria Sharapova continues her perfect record in night sessions at the US Open in the black version of her Nike Fall Maria NY Dress. You can see the lighter version of the design in my article unveiling Masha’s look for the season’s final Grand Slam.

Flirty cutouts at back and sides make this dress stand out from the crowd.

Stella McCartney really believes in the power of laser perforations, mesh and colorblocks, having incorporated them in all her designs in recent years. The latest collection includes this Adidas Stella McCartney NYC Tank and Skirt, promoted by Caroline Wozniacki at the US Open. The tank features generous mesh at back and you can have a closer look at it in my preview of this look.

US Open nights have a special place in the hearts of tennis fans and it seems that Fila was inspired by night skies while creating the new Heritage collection, as their Karolina Pliskova wears a star print from head to toe.

The Print Racer Tank, Print Flirty Skirt and Axilus Energized shoes compose the Ace Queen’s look in New York. Let me add that the sparkle star print jersey fabric shimmers!

Even though Adidas’ promo images on Instagram made me think that Angelique Kerber would wear the Adidas Fall Barricade Dress unique for its diamond-patterned mesh, the German’s US Open outfit is actually the Fall Barricade Tank + Skirt combo that prides itself on being ultra sporty and soft to the touch.

My favorite element are thick back straps that create a triangle.

Garbine Muguruza paired the Adidas Fall Barricade Warp Tank and Adidas Fall Barricade Shorts. The tank is a seamless warp knit construction which adjust to body movements, while the engineered cutouts around the upper chest and back serve as stylish touches and ventilation channels. The woven shorts have a wide elastic waistband with contrasting red stripe for a comfortable fit. You can have a better look at this outfit in my preview post.

While this was Garbi’s main kit, we also saw her in the Warp Tank and the same skirt Kerber is wearing.

Svetlana Kuznetsova‘s blue (or is it green?) Qiaodan dress is beautifully simple — a crew-neck design without sleeves, nothing major going on.

Since Nicole Gibbs played qualifying, I’ve already covered her New Balance kit in detail, but I’ll repeat here that she’s wearing the striped New Balance Fall Tournament Seamless Tank and shorts with cute mesh layer.

Lotto’s Barre Flash collection got a lot of attention when Alize Cornet took off her shirt on the court, in order to reverse it, and received a code violation, which was later abolished. Agnieszka Radwanska didn’t promote her Lotto Barre Dress for long, failing to withstand the heat and exiting the tournament in the first round.

Venus WilliamsEleVen Prima Donna collection is characterized by a purple-based graffiti-inspired print with pops of pink yarrow and lime popsicle. The American mixed and matched a number of pieces during her US Open campaign. Even in her first-round match against Svetlana Kuznetsova, V put two outfits on display.

During the all-Williams third-round match, Venus sported the EleVen Prima Portal Tank and Fly Skirt.

It’s a pity that Monica Puig‘s Ellesse dresses are not widely available, as the Puerto Rican always has cool outfits that suit her to perfection.

Slim fit, contrast piping and side slits, together with Gel-Cool technology on the back, make Julia GoergesAsics Gel-Cool Dress an excellent choice for those looking for a subtly feminine design in a sporty package.

Just as Lacoste announced ahead of the US Open, Christina McHale introduced the Fall Cap-Sleeve Top, but for some reason she paired it with a simple white skirt and not with the pleated windowpane-patterned one she was supposed to wear.

On the other hand, it’s strange that Lacoste‘s Dominika Cibulkova is dressed like it’s Wimbledon.

Ekaterina Makarova is in Sergio Tacchini‘s Perspective collection.

Anastasija Sevastova promotes Yonex‘s orange outfit with sort of an ombre hexagon print.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova now has her own Sofibella line and this navy dress with box pleats at hem is one of those AP looks.

Mizuno‘s Aleksandra Krunic is wearing the Fall Amplify Tank in color georgia peach and the Fall Flex Skort. The tank design is inspired by “Kiriko” — an overlaying color graduation concept used in Japanese ceramics to express details and dynamic lines.

After seeing all the outfits in one place, what do you say, which one is your favorite? My No.1 are aSMC separates worn by Caroline Wozniacki & Kristina Mladenovic, followed by Aryna Sabalenka’s Nike ensemble.

14 COMMENTS

  1. My favourite also the Stella Macartney on Caroline. I like Maria’s dress and for once I don’t mind Svetlana’s either. The yellow looks great on Sloane.

  2. Sabalenka wins the best dressed award after switching to the other Nike kit after the first round. It looked perfect on her.

  3. Can we please focus on results on the court rather than fashion on the court? These ladies are fighting hard out there, and there’s a competition still going on for the 2018 US Open champ to be crowned. Happy 30th birthday to Carla Suarez Navarro and congrats on slaying Sharapova a few minutes ago in straight sets. What an amazing birthday gift! Now, stay focused and celebrate still being in the mix. A well deserved win, indeed! I knew you could and would do it on your birthday, Carla. Yay, for the birthday girl!

  4. My favorite would be Caro Woz’s separates. I also love Serena’s tutu! I think it really stands out. I would give the next one to Maria’s dress. I would love a different color of the same design. Maybe something like pastel or neon.
    PS: Garbi’s shorts are so cool but I would like to see her more on dresses.

  5. So perverted, inappropriate and disrespectful, R. Curry! Just plain uncalled for. Go away from this blog, ignoramus!

  6. The 2017 US Open champ has sadly been dethroned by her opponent. Sloane has got to keep fighting for consistency in the majors. That’s the only way to get multiple and back-to-back titles, which Serena Williams and her legendary sister, Venus, are the only two that this can honestly be said of. No other player holds up and fights relentlessly under pressure, regardless of the circumstance, than Queen Serena Williams; adversity seemingly works in her favor, and tests/trials/tribulations come to make her stronger & stronger. Her legacy is set in stone and it’s simply amazing to watch, just as she is. Congrats to Anastasja Sevastova on the win today & advancing to the semi-final, despite all her grumbling and gripping. However, in the words of the legendary GOAT/Super Mom, Serena Williams: Mama said, “Knock you out!”

  7. Personally i find the fashion interesting and I don’t think that means we are not also focussed on the tennis. But this Ricardo Curry has no place on this blog. Can you block him?

  8. The outfits were all lovely at this year’s open. I think that all the black outfits, though, were an absolute fail in the heat – adidas, Nike tutu, Sharapova dress, and even the Lotto teal 2 piece. Typically I would like more neons and I’m not a fan of patterns but I will take it, except Venus’ patterned top which either needs more coverage or support. Sorry, not sorry, Ricardo.

  9. Who made Naomi’s dress? It’s stunning. The best in show as far as I’m concerned, after Muguruza’s gorgeous Adidas tank and silver shorts.

  10. CLT, I’ve deleted his comment. I agree, it was very inappropriate.

    Hardilaur, Naomi is also wearing Adidas, the same outfit as Angelique Kerber’s presented in this post.

  11. Now, for the “less serious” comments: as claimed Before, my favourite is the Stella-for-Adidas outfit worn by Caroline Wozniacki. How nice that it still can be seen on Kristina Mladenovic in the WD-finals! 😀

  12. I didn’t care for the colors in this year’s gowns, nor did I care for the repeated frocks in every successive match by the same player. We need diversity and variety in fashion just like we do in the sport generally. Very tiresome and very unimaginative and very BORING. Did seem some nice color in Caroline Garcia’s supra-aqua tint but disappointed by the austere Bouchard color scheme….this ain’t Wimbledon, honey. Some nice cleavage and spill-over look from Venus….if you got it, why not flaunt it, baby.

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