Alongside in tennis history, Serena Williams has etched her name in fashion, too, from her first match. Whether on-court or off-court, the American put equal interest in choosing every thread of her outfit. It has been nearly three decades since the former World No.1 played her first tennis match. Serena has attracted appreciation, awe, and controversy with her outfits but never shied away from experimenting. With a degree in fashion design, Serena even designed some of her own outfits along with launching a line of her own, ‘S by Serena’.

Momma Smash has adorned countless beautiful dresses in collaboration with ace designers like Alexander McQueen and Gucci. Picking the best fashion ensembles donned by Serena is like searching for a needle in a haystack. It is impossible to snub an outfit for another, but to feature every iconic costume of the tennis legend probably takes a book. Yet, a challenging attempt has been made to honor her CFDA Fashion Icon Award by handpicking some of the best on and off-court designs.

Serena Williams’ fearless and breathtaking tennis outfits

Tennis outfits are often rigorously scrutinized and require approval before stepping on the court. Though Serena’s outfits passed primary checks, she received flak from authorities and love from fans for introducing world-class fashion to tennis courts. From her pathbreaking denim outfit to her last US Open dress, Serena aced the fashion game.

In the US Open in 2004, Serena rocked two Nike denim outfits. She donned a performance-friendly denim tank and pleated mini skirt. The denims were paired with drop earrings, a silver ring, a watch, and black leather boots. Momma Smash sported another denim look that combined a tank top and shirt with a pleating finish in the same tournament. It was paired with boots on the outer with a zip closure, but Serena played in her comfort shoes inside. The fashionista herself rated this outfit as her Top-3 in a video released by Vogue in 2022. Momma Smash could play tennis in the morning in her denim outfit and could go out partying in the same in the evening.

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The 2015 US Open witnessed one of Nike’s best series of outfits from ‘The Greatness’ collection. The 6-time Flushing Meadows champion blended various colors with black and paired matching sneakers for every custom design. Every snake print dress has its own style, like tank straps and a cutout at the back.

In the 2018 French Open, the 41-year-old donned a blank-panther-inspired catsuit with a simple silver chain and hoops, a black watch paired with grey and black shoes. Since it was after the near-death pregnancy and the birth of Olympia, the outfit was designed to prevent blood clots. But the French tennis federation was taken aback and banned body suits on the court.

In the 2019 French Open, Queen Williams responded to the catsuit ban by wearing an abstract-printed black and white sports bra and skirt. But the icing on the cake was that she wore a custom-made jacket with the words ‘Queen,’ ‘Champion,’ ‘Mother,’ and ‘Goddess,’ written in French and English. She paired the outfit with a minimal gold chain, tear-drop gold earrings, a bracelet, a black watch, and white sneakers.

In the 2021 Australian Open, the 23-time Grand Slam winner stunned in a one-legged catsuit. The outfit was inspired by track and field athlete Florence Griffith Joyner, who frequently donned one-legged catsuits for competitions. The idea originated from the Nike team, and Serena went on to wear a black, red, and pink asymmetric color-blocked catsuit. She paired it with a silver chain from her jewelry line and styled a royal blue headband with matching sneakers.

Serena started with a bang and ended with a tribute to the sport that made her a legend. Her 2022 US Open outfit was one of the most fashion-forward creations in tennis. The black dress was studded with diamonds and had six layers to honor her six US Open titles. ‘Mama’ and ‘Queen’ were engraved on her two sneakers. Her embellished bodice with a tutu skirt was a tribute to the night sky at Flushing Meadows.

ReRe even pulled off distinctive outfits at the Wimbledon Championships. The stringent all-white and rather conservative dress code was never an obstacle for her to create the best out of fashion. Her white trench coat, a blazer on top of her dress, a leopard-printed sheer white dress, and a mid-riff cutout attire are some of the timeless creative classics of her sartorial choices.

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These are just on-court outfit risks, experiments, and statements Serena made. When it was time for an event, the Queen styled hundreds of impeccable outfits, setting high standards for even Hollywood. Fashion is a big part of the American Queen’s persona, and she boldly expresses it on every carpet she has ever walked.

The mesmerizing fashion choices that stunned the world

Serena dazzled in a tangerine mini-dress with thin shoulder straps and a mid-riff cutout highlighting her belly button. She accessorized the dress with a series of delicate gold chains and a ring, finishing with strapped plumps. The tennis queen donned the outfit for the ESPY Awards, 2004, where she won the Best Female Tennis Player of the Year honor.

For the 2011 Met Gala, Serena looked breathtakingly gorgeous in a strapless Oscar de la Renta. Feathers adorned every inch of her dress, and the fashionista complemented the look with a large moonstone-resembling ring, a silver shining clutch, and a fascinator hat with two large flowers. Her make-up was flawlessly simple, and her hair was styled into wavy curls.

Serena and fashion are a match made in heaven. The former World No.1 sizzled in a transparent strapped red thigh-high slit dress by Ines Di Santo. She shined in silver shoulder duster earrings, a full finger ring, and designer heels. This look was one of the highlights at the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, which Momma Smash often attended.

The WTA queen attended the Royal wedding of the Sussexes Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2018. Serena walked arm-in-arm with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, in a regal look fit for the wedding. She donned a magnificent nude pink Versace dress with a statement neckpiece and ring and opted for simple diamond stud earrings. The lilac ballerina heels and a matching fascinator hat completed her look.

The Olympic Gold winner’s retirement announcement is also connected to fashion. Serena first revealed with Vogue that she is ‘evolving’ from tennis. The September issue of 2022 featured the CEO of Serena Ventures in a thin-strapped, elegant silver satin gown accessorized with just long gold earrings. In the beach photoshoot, the ends of the dress flowed like waves, and the plunging neckline with golden bronze curls completed the look.

When Serena was on a break from tennis in 2021, she utilized the time to turn into a model for her swimwear collection. The striking pose on a beach with an ultra-chic flowy dress, styled in natural wet hair, gave the tennis icon an elite supermodel look that no athlete can pull off.

In 2021, Serena posed with her elder daughter, Olympia, in an asymmetric iced latte-colored ruffled gown. Momma Smash posed on the tennis court holding a racket. She chose a bronze look with matching pumps and golden brown hair styled in wavy curls. She aced the no-accessory look as a new tennis mommy, and the internet fell in love with every Serena era.

These outfits only hit at Serena’s passion for alluring designs, and her every look deserves an award. The inimitable world’s top athlete simultaneously balanced fashion, tennis, charity, business, and family responsibilities. Never once did the American legend fail to set standards, and Serena Williams herself is an accolade that fashion and sports can proudly flaunt as their crown.

As she gears up to be recognized by the CFDA in early November for seamlessly blending fashion and sporting to etch her own own niche as an icon, perhaps it is fitting to end with Serena’s own words: “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve used fashion as an outlet to express myself. I have had so much fun learning my style and allowing it to change as my life has evolved.”

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