Elevating basketball’s overall style and energy, the reigning queens of the league reunite in the Finals. 

Basketball fans are nearing the most exciting moment of the season as they prepare to watch the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty compete in the WNBA Finals 2023 presented by YouTube TV. While this season’s viewership was reported as the most-watched season in 21 years, forward A’ja Wilson and forward Breanna Stewart also carried this record-breaking energy into their game: Wilson reached the highest single-game scoring with 53 points, and Stewart set a record for the most 40-point games in a single season. Together, this pair raises the bar for being a star player through their in-game skills and off-court styles. 

Earning impressive accolades since they were drafted– Stewart joined the league in 2016 and Wilson in 2018– both players have taken each season to cultivate their style. For 2023, they’ve chosen to work with regular stylists, which can help to return focus to their on-court performance and step up their tunnel outfits to include unconventional customizations or an expert approach to selecting brands. While Stewart works with Courtney Mays, known for styling her Seattle Storm teammate Sue Bird, Wilson has been working with Atlanta-based stylist Amadi Brooks. 

Running back to the start of the season, Brooks explains that they start with a style consultation to understand Wilson’s inspirations and personal relationship to style. “A’ja has a very strong sense of self on and off the court, which I truly admire,” says Brooks, “A’ja is pretty open, but there’s also a trust level there between us when it comes to experimentation.” If Wilson’s seasonal style can be summarized with a theme of experimentation, then Stewart and Mays are focusing on a theme of refinement. Stewart brought the staples– button-up shirts, leather jackets– from her time in Seattle to New York and works with Mays to search for elevated versions from top designer brands. 

Although these two are close in age and experience, it’s challenging to draw similarities between Wilson’s and Stewart’s styles. Instead, this Finals Style Face-Off between these standout players offers an example of the wide range of personal styles that unapologetically shape the league. From the customizations that Wilson has worn from game to game to Stewart’s most worn designer brands, explore the details that define each player’s style: 

Customization Queen vs. Designer Ready-To-Wear 

To work with A’ja Wilson’s impressive height, her stylist Amadi Brooks reveals that commissioning custom pieces can be the simplest route to nailing the perfect look. Each of Wilson’s customized pieces serves multiple purposes. Brooks explains, “I love to support and highlight Black-owned brands, designers and “smaller” businesses…and custom pieces really allow [us] to do that.” Highlights from this season include custom pearl jeans by 1of1sByJolie, an airbrush t-shirt honoring Coach Nikki McCray, and a custom denim-on-denim look from William Basse. For the perfect fit, Brooks also works with local Vegas tailor Ashya Shanell– expect more customizations for the finals!

Looking closely at Stewart’s outfits, she’s become one of the most brand-savvy players this season. Although her outfits never scream with designer logos, a discerning eye will reveal looks from CELINE, Acne Studios, Thom Browne, and other top labels. Perhaps working with stylist Courtney Mays has influenced Stewart’s style to take inspiration from other star players in the NBA or NFL; by wearing these designer ready-to-wear pieces, Stewart is sartorially signaling that she’s a top sports star, too.  

Throwback Swag vs. Cutting Edge Cool

Often sharing her love for ’90s culture and overall passion for music, Wilson incorporates vintage styles into her outfits. Paying homage to 90’s R&B superstars with full looks from brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Wilson matches her throwback swag with timeless, simple beauty looks. She also time travels through the decades with her pre-game outfits, channeling the early 2000s through brands like True Religion or transforming vintage jerseys into form-fitting jersey dresses. 

Stewart’s lightning-quick in-game skills are reflected in her ability to wear pre-game looks incorporating the latest trends. This season, Stewart has introduced cool, cozy cardigans, intentionally stark white socks with loafers, and mixing edgy leathers with contemporary sportswear. Overall, Stewart’s style moves at a pace that suits her life in New York City– by the time the rest of the league gets hip to an emerging trend, Stewart has already been snapped in the tunnel with that style. 

Skirt Experimentation vs. Set Exploration 

This season, the league has watched Wilson incorporate more skirts than ever into her pre-game style. Wilson is likelier to be spotted in an experimental mini skirt or maxi skirt than the classic, athlete off-duty sweats or denim jeans. Her selection of skirts also offers a way to tap into popular styles like camouflage or cargo materials, interesting asymmetrical cuts, and head-to-toe color coordination. Brooks, her stylist, adds, “I would sum up Aja’s style as feminine sporty with Y2K influences. We’ll always add a heel to elevate a look, dress down a skirt to keep it sporty or dress up a jersey with a feminine touch. She’s very versatile.”

Stepping up her outfit coordination this season, Stewart’s go-to look has become a funky, matching set. Whether it’s a home or away game, her sets offer a signature style for the star player. Far from basic, Stewart’s sets also explore a wide range of textured fabrics, designer brands– she’s a self-proclaimed fan of Pleats Please Issey Miyake– and eye-catching patterns. The PUMA collaborator also pairs her sets with an equally diverse selection of footwear with leather loafers or athletic sneakers. While wearing an entire look in an unusual color can be challenging, Stewart brings an undeniable sense of confidence to the tunnel. 

WNBA reporter Kirsten Chen writes a lifestyle & fashion column on WNBA.com throughout the season and can be reached on Twitter through @hotgothwriter. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.