These 10 Athletes Have Winning Personal Style
The Paris 2024 Olympics may be over, but fashion’s infatuation with sports is far from the finish line. Meet the athletes who are redefining the athletic aesthetic both on and off the field.
Ever heard of sports? You know, those high-energy competitions in which people run, jump and occasionally throw things? Well, apparently, they’re not just for scoring points and winning medals anymore!
From the rapid rise of Adidas Sambas to TikTok’s blokecore trend to the Challengers press tour, the worlds of fashion and sports have never been more intertwined. This is nothing new, of course — think the popularity of Nike Air Jordans, Serena Williams’s iconic tennis skirts and the use of team jerseys in street style. But in 2024, the marriage of sports and fashion is reaching 10s across the board.
Athletes are the faces of luxury fashion houses — LeBron James for Thom Browne, Carlos Alcaraz for Louis Vuitton and Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos for Dior, to name a few. We’re even seeing tunnel ’fits catapult athletes into branded influencers. It’s safe to say that athletes are more than just their athleticism.
Here, we’ve rounded up 10 competitors who are serving some serious fashion statements.
Office Siren: Eileen Gu
Sport: Freestyle skiing
Best-Dressed Moment: Paris Fashion Week, 2024
When Chinese-American Olympian Eileen Gu steps off the slopes, she enters her Office Siren era. (Think Bella Hadid hits the trading floor with a hint of Y2K flair.) Her signature look often features a sleek full-suit or blazer moment, but she won’t shy away from an ultra-glam gown when the occasion calls for it. Met Gala, anyone?
Softcore: Tessa Virtue
Sport: Ice dance
Best-Dressed Moment: Jenny Bird Supercharge Event, 2024
Tessa Virtue juggles many hats — or, rather, skates — with grace: Olympian, world champion, new mom, mental-health advocate and, of course, Canadian fashion icon. She retired her twinkling ice-skating costumes for feminine ’fits that match her charming aura. From tailored blazers to floral maxi-dresses to elegant sets like this one from Sandro, Virtue’s wardrobe reflects a quiet-luxury aesthetic with a focus on comfort that always feels accessible.
The Risk-Taker: Serena Williams
Sport: Tennis
Best-Dressed Moment: Thom Browne Couture Show, 2024
While Serena Williams is perhaps best known for disrupting traditional tennis dress codes (who could forget the denim skirt and black studded Nike tank top from 2004?), she’s still taking style risks even in retirement. Proving that she’s never afraid of a challenge (or Challengers — get it?) or of defying expectations, she’s worn everything from a red leather mini-dress by Versace to this matching set by Thom Browne. Sorry, Zendaya, but Tashi Duncan could never.
Elevated Streetwear: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Sport: Basketball
Best-Dressed Moment: NBA All-Star Weekend, 2024
Most people may know Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the talented point guard of the Oklahoma City Thunder, but we’re willing to bet he’s one of the best-dressed NBA players to ever walk on the court. Big statement, we know. But when you’ve seen this Canadian icon wear a full Ferragamo leather look or a graphic Louis Vuitton matching set, it’s hard to argue otherwise. A slam dunk, indeed.
The Chameleon: Ysaora Thibus
Sport: Fencing
Best-Dressed Moment: Instagram Post, 2023
French fencer Ysaora Thibus’s style is as hard to pinpoint as she is on the piste. One day she’s wearing a masculine Gucci pantsuit, and the next she’s sporting a sheer Miu Miu ensemble, as seen to the right. But her favourite accessory is undoubtedly her partner and fellow fencer, Race Imboden, who’s often photographed alongside her wearing an equally versatile ’fit. En garde!
Modern Classics: Siphesihle November
Sport: Ballet
Best-Dressed Moment: Toronto International Film Festival, 2023
Siphesihle November is changing the look of ballet. A principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, November often trades his tights and unitard for traditional, timeless pieces with a streetwear twist. He’s worn brands like Issey Miyake and Chanel, but he also has a soft spot for vintage, leather and accessories. With his distinctive style, his fashion is always en pointe.
Eclectic Grandpa: Héctor Bellerín
Sport: Soccer
Best-Dressed Moment: Instagram, 2020
Move over, David Beckham: There’s a new stylish soccer star in town, and his name is Héctor Bellerín. This Spaniard, who plays for the Real Betis club in La Liga, is the definition of Eclectic Grandpa — a term coined by Pinterest Predicts. Words like retro, custom and vintage come to mind, with an emphasis on accessories. A ’fit is never complete without a fun hat, a beaded necklace or colourful shoes. No red cards here.
Monochromatic Maven: Lewis Hamilton
Sport: Auto racing
Best-Dressed Moment: British Grand Prix, 2024
No one blends athletics with aesthetics better than British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton. While most drivers stick to their team’s branded tees, the Mercedes (although soon-to-be Ferrari) racer experiments with colour, shape and proportions. We especially love when he sports a vibrant monochromatic look or a textured set, as seen at multiple tournaments, like this red Jacquemus number at the British Grand Prix. As he’s now a Dior ambassador and guest designer, expect more playful ’fits in the near future.
Experimental Edge: Stefon Diggs
Sport: Football
Best-Dressed Moment: Paris Fashion Week, 2024
Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs rarely fumbles with his fashion. When he’s not making plays with the quarterback in the NFL, he’s making high-fashion ’fits with Hermès trench coats, Ferragamo leather jackets and Bottega Veneta ankle boots. He brings an edge to classic outfits with textures like leather, fur, sheer fabric and pleats. Recently, Diggs wowed us in Paris wearing Sacai — definitely a touchdown if we ever saw one.
‘90s Off-Duty Model: Kysre Gondrezick
Sport: Basketball
Best-Dressed Moment: Pre-Game Tunnel Outfit, 2024
The ’90s nostalgia is so real! Consider Kysre Gondrezick the Hilary Banks of the WNBA minus the iconic tall, rounded hats. Like the bougie big sister on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, this former Chicago Sky guard is not afraid to turn everyday moments into her own personal runway. You’ll often find the athlete sporting some denim jorts, a blazer, a pantsuit or, in this case, a bold black cut-out Mugler dress right before a game.
This article first appeared in FASHION’s October 2024 issue. Find out more here.
This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
