Black athletes have been breaking records in their sports while simultaneously sporting iconic fashion looks for years. Take Flo-Jo, the iconic track star and gold medalist known for still holding the 1988 world records for the women’s 100-meter and 200-meter races, as well as her iconic looks on the track. Her signature look featured one-legged track suits, and she could be seen holding her medals with pride while rocking long statement nails to match. In the ’90s and 2000s, Michael Jordan was known not only for his talent on the court, but also for his iconic style featuring refined, tailored suits and more relaxed looks featuring loose jeans, leather blazers, as well as tasteful accessories like hats and earrings. The NBA star also changed the world of sneakers forever with the release of the Jordan 1 in 1984, defying the rules of the NBA’s shoe regulations at the time and breaking barriers in fashion off the court, leading to 40 years and counting of an iconic shoe brand with over 30 models in even more colorways.
Today, fashion continues to play a pivotal part in the world of sports and athletics and seems to grow more so by the day. This past Super Bowl featured the very first official Super Bowl Pre-Fashion Show hosted by Abercrombie & Fitch, with players such as Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins in attendance. Tunnel walks have also become synonymous with game days, with teams posting pics of their players as they depart from hotels at away games or arrive at the locker room. Leading up to a game, Atlanta Hawks’ Instagram followers can look forward to “Ultra Drip” courtside posts presented by Michelob Ultra, featuring both players and courtside celebrity attendees at the games. Terrion Arnold, a player for the Detroit Lions, even took the tunnel walk a step further, modeling in Trapstar London’s show for NYFW this past February. This type of influence is not exclusive to team sports. Take Coco Gauff, who recently did a campaign for Miu Miu and was featured on the cover of Vogue US in April 2024, or Naomi Osaka, whose match-day looks, like one for the 2026 Australian Open by Nike and Robert Wun, had the world talking.
Once players are changed into uniform, the show is not over, because even coaches have their fun when it comes to styling on game days. Dawn Staley, head coach for the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team, is beloved for her leadership and guidance of an iconic team. With three national championships with the Gamecocks, her talent for coaching is undeniable, and her talent for iconic courtside looks is no different. This coach often makes headlines for not only wins and upsets, but also jackets, sneakers, and accessories from brands like Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga. She’s even been granted the nickname “Louis Vuitton Dawn” by many who admire her. On April 5, Dawn and the South Carolina Gamecocks took on UCLA for the NCAA title following a thrilling March Madness for the team. She could be seen on the sidelines shouting passionately at her team in a black bomber-style Balenciaga jacket from the brand’s Basketball Series collection, styled with black trousers embellished with a brooch of her team’s logo. She stands apart from many other coaches in her sport who opt for school-branded gear on game day and excels at her job, all while dressed to impress.
Yes, coaches and players are undoubtedly some of the biggest elements of any given sport, but broadcasters and journalists help bring the game to many across the world, and just like the players, the fashion industry has infiltrated here too, bringing perfectly curated designer suits, coordinating looks, and so much more. Andraya Carter, an ESPN basketball analyst, can be seen covering events year-round, from the NCAA Tournament to the WNBA Finals, in perfectly polished looks ranging from dresses to elegant pantsuits. One of her most notable looks featured a stunning red DO LONG dress, which she wore to the ESPYs this past July. The look featured a shimmering strapless upper bodice and elegant, drapey skirt featuring a flowing train. The dress was styled elegantly with patent red slingback pumps. The creative behind the look was her stylist, Sydnee Paige. She is the vision behind her looks on and away from the sidelines, among others such as basketball players Marvin Bagley and Skylar Diggins. Sydnee’s past looks, which can be seen through her curated Instagram posts, show her knack for styling looks for both men and women in the world of sports, whether it be as an athlete or journalist.
As the link between fashion and sports has grown stronger, the leagues themselves have begun to take notice. Take the NFL, which in 2024 appointed the league’s very first Style Editor. Kyle Smith pivoted from styling players and figures in sports to showcasing them to the world through interviews, event coverage, and social media. In a story with Vogue, the NFL’s Senior VP Ian Trombetta shared, “Kyle’s appointment underscores our larger marketing focus to modernize and lean into passion points of youth audiences, with fashion playing a huge role in this effort and how we stay at the forefront of culture.” A big element of his work can be seen on the @nflstyle Instagram page, which features players’ best tunnel-walk looks, as well as merch and collaborations available to purchase, bringing in the element of profitability for the league and creating a space where fans can interact with the fashion side of the NFL.
One thing is for sure: you can’t have sports without fashion, and even beyond those directly in the industry, brands and fans are all aboard the hype. Jack Goes Back to College, a collaboration between Fanatics, Travis Scott, and Cactus Jack, launched at 28 different universities across the U.S. back in 2024, bringing a whole new look to collegiate sportswear and worn by iconic players such as WNBA star Angel Reese during her time at LSU. Even Fear of God has paired up with the world of sports with its collaboration with the NBA for All-Star Weekend this year, as well as with the MLB. On its website, the brand described the partnership as “a pivotal moment for the brand as it continues to bridge the worlds of sport and fashion,” and its collection features stylish hoodies, tees, sweats, and, of course, baseball caps. Style has also become a major element of attending sports events, with courtside looks from stars like Jordyn Woods, cheering on her fiancé, Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns, going viral. Other stars, like Blue Ivy, have made waves year after year with their Super Bowl looks and iconic jumping picture, and posts from personalities like Olandria in the stands at the US Open have gotten just as much traction on social media as the players. No matter how you look at it, the link between the two is undeniable. It goes without saying that we will be seeing the worlds of fashion and sports becoming more intertwined as time goes on.
