The W in Designer '23: Flyest Fits of Week 12
As the league gets closer to playoffs, the serious nature of this week has translated into the players’ pre-game styles. There’s a certain level of attention behind their overall approach to their games, which is seen in their perfectly fitted blazers and careful combination of clothing. While players are still tapping into different aesthetics to reflect their personalities, their outfits have ditched the summer’s casual vibe with style-driving energy.
Whenever players opt to wear blazers in their pre-game outfit, it adds another chapter into the history of this classic, professional athlete look. Blazers or suits don’t always offer a simple fitting process for basketball players, so it’s no easy feat to wear something that’s perfectly cut to their proportions. It’s also been fun to see WNBA players bring out cropped blazers, suits in colorful satin materials, or relaxed, two-piece fits– whether these blazers lean more masculine or feminine, they’re never boring or stuffy when spotted in this league.
In the midst of eliminations for the playoffs, this edition of “The W in Designer” highlights a broad range of styles before the season closes. Some of these players opt for classic, suited athlete looks while others bring in a popstar energy to popular streetwear trends. As this season progresses, these players have perfected the art of using a few essential accessories to communicate their personalities: sunglasses in usual shapes, bags of all shapes and sizes, and careful layering of their jewelry.
Washington Mystics player Kristi Toliver adds an academic touch to her pre-game outfit with a grey Howard University top layered under a navy two-piece suit. While wearing suits or blazers has been popular this season, Toliver’s styling includes a backward hat, dark sunglasses, a subtle gold chain, and blue and white Nike sneakers. Since Toliver has been spotted in suits in other off-court moments this season, she’s even mastered the art of perfectly cuffing her sleeves to show what’s underneath them.
Monique Billings brings a funky outfit, composed of neutral colors, to this week’s game with the Atlanta Dream. She wears a slouchy, cropped long-sleeve top in camouflage colors with a pair of olive-colored patchwork cargo pants. To add more colors to her outfit, Billings accessorizes with a pair of brown square-shaped sunglasses, chunky nude boots, and a “2000s It Girl” grocery bag from independent designer Xylk. Matching her lip color to her sunglasses, Billings also wears a stack of thin gold jewelry.
Los Angeles Sparks player Rae Burrell ends the season with an outfit that radiates superstar energy. She wears a matching oversized denim set with a patchwork jacket and distressed pants from designer William Bassee. Working with stylist Sydney Bordonaro throughout this season, Burrell’s look also includes a pair of white square-shaped sunglasses, a mini white TELFAR purse, and a simple pair of white platform sneakers.
Ruthy Hebard brings a chic and structured approach to her pre-game look with the Chicago Sky. Hebard wears a cropped blazer in an eye-catching light blue color, which contrasts against her black crop top and black cargo pants. She continues the all-black theme with a pair of black shoes and a big, black quilted Saint Laurent purse. With light accessorizing, Hebard also wears a thin necklace, a pair of silver, hanging earrings, and a black headband to emphasize her blazer.
This simple pre-game outfit from Seattle Storm player Yvonne Turner oozes with personality while fitting the summer season. Turner wears a pair of beige pants from Vans with a colorful all-over print and a simple black graphic t-shirt. Keeping up with the all-Vans theme in her outfit, she also opts for a pair of black and white Vans sneakers. For accessories, Turner wears an interesting combination of a wooden rosary necklace layered over a cross on a thin gold chain.
Phoenix Mercury player Moriah Jefferson has mastered the art of making a pair of comfortable sweatpants look extremely sophisticated. She wears a pair of thick, white sweatpants that frame her black socks and a pair of red and white Nike sneakers. To complement her pants, she wears a bright orange t-shirt with light distressing near the bottom for an unexpected contrast and two thin gold chains. Opting to keep her look on the casual side, Jefferson also wears a black sling-back and a gold watch.
Interpreting summer vibes in sparkling, icy tones, Nyara Sabally looks too cool in her pre-game outfit with the New York Liberty. She wears a sparkly, silver mesh top with a pair of classic blue jeans and a pair of Air Jordan 1’s in a “University Blue” colorway. Keeping her accessories to a minimum, Sabally adds a pop of color to her look with a chunky, mismatched beaded choker.
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
