Serena Williams’ Best Dressed From Glam to Grand Slam

Serena Williams wears Thom Browne at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards

Say it with us: iconic. While accepting the 2023 Fashion Icon Award, Williams wore a Thom Browne sequin gown with oversized sheer satin puff sleeves and a long train. Her stylist, Kesha McLeod, accessorized her look with David Yurman jewelry, including a spiked flower collar necklace fit for a queen.

Serena Williams wears Gucci at the 2023 Met Gala

There were plenty of pearls and black velvet celebrating designer Karl Lagerfeld at the 2023 Met Gala, but Williams’ custom Gucci gown stood out, in part because of its seamless blend of menswear and eveningwear details. Besides the gorgeous gown and Tiffany & Co. jewelry, the night was also a special one for Williams: Tennis Camp cheekily announced in the caption of her Met Gala Instagram post that she and husband Alex Alexis Ohanian is expecting their second child.

Serena Williams wears Brandon Blackwood at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards

At the 54th NAACP Image Awards, Williams wore a custom velvet Brandon Blackwood gown with a side slit and dramatic train.

Serena Williams wears Versace at the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Williams loves gowns, but also seems to love miniskirt red carpet moments. At the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscars Party, the A-lister wore a sculptural silver Versace mini dress that sexily showed off her curves while evoking the power and power of medieval armor. Designed by Jason Boldman, this striking look features silver jewelry that blends in with the liquid metal.

Serena Williams wears Gucci at the 94th Academy Awards

The Williams sisters both served as producers on the Oscar-winning film king richardand Serena channeled old Hollywood glamor on the Academy Awards red carpet for the big night. The floral appliqués on Williams’ custom low-cut Gucci gown echoed the lace pattern on her sheer black gloves. A gown like this can hold its own on the red carpet with minimal accessories. Williams opted for minimal jewelry, just two cocktail rings and a pair of stud earrings from her own jewelry line.

Serena Williams wears Balmain at Paris Fashion Week 2022

When you’re sitting front row at Paris Fashion Week, only the best looks are the best, and Williams certainly understands that. The A-lister attended the Balmain Fall ’22/’23 show wearing a gorgeous velvet two-piece suit with quilting and pleating that accentuated her figure.

Serena Williams wears sparkling black gown at 2022 U.S. Open

There’s no color compared to a standard tennis skirt, but Williams prefers a little sparkle in the Nike-designed game wear. On day three of the 2022 U.S. Open, Williams wore a jet black tennis skirt with a swirling skirt, rhinestone-embellished top and sheer long sleeves. The outfit comes with a matching headband that says “star power” loud enough for everyone in the audience to hear.

Serena Williams wears green ombre at the 2021 French Open

On day eight of the 2021 French Open, Williams opted for a gradient color scheme. Her tennis skirt, sweatband, and sneakers were a masterclass in monochromatic styling, incorporating cool tones of sage, lime, and mint.

Serena Williams wears a color-blocked bodysuit at the 2021 Australian Open

During the women’s singles quarterfinals of the 2021 Australian Open, Williams switched into a streamlined, asymmetrical leotard. While the look was everything fans have come to expect from Williams, it also paid homage to another major athlete. The tennis star’s bold look paid homage to track star, record-breaker and one of Williams’ childhood heroes, Florence Griffith Joyner.

“Growing up, I was inspired by Flo Joe, who was a great track and field athlete, a great athlete,” Williams said guardian then. Hinting at a connection between athletic and sartorial art, and perhaps her own taste for experimental sportswear, Williams added, “(Flo-Jo’s fashion) is always changing. Her clothes are always exciting. People are amazed.”

Serena Williams wears Flouncy Purple at the 2020 Australian Open

On day five of the 2020 Australian Open, Williams combined two of her favorite tennis sartorial details: prints and healthy, feminine ruffles. During the third round of the women’s singles match, she wore a tennis dress with a tiered ruffled skirt in a light watercolor hue with a navy pattern that wasn’t quite an animal print.

Serena Williams wears all red at 2020 U.S. Open

In a word, this look is very popular. At the 2020 U.S. Open, Williams opted for a rich, crimson monochromatic look. Her Nike tank top and ruffled tennis skirt matched perfectly with her accessories. Williams’ sneakers feature subtle color blocking to keep the look from looking bland.

Serena Williams in Versace at the 2019 Met Gala

The 2019 Met Gala had a tricky theme, and not all the celebrities in attendance fully understood the concept of “Celebration Camp.” However, Serena Williams gets an A+ in our book. Williams, one of that year’s co-chairs, looked stunning in a bright yellow Atelier Versace gown with green leaf appliqués. The best part? Williams’ Off-White x Nike sneakers complete the look.

Serena Williams wears bold print at French Open 2019

Williams knows how to spice up a look, even if it’s a relatively simple silhouette. Case in point: the two-piece she wore on day two of the 2019 French Open featured a powerful abstract print.

Serena Williams in Giambattista Valli at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscars Party

Williams’ love of tulle can be seen on and off the tennis court. The Giambattista Valli gown she wore to the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party was from the fashion house’s Spring 2019 Haute Couture collection.

Serena Williams wears periwinkle tulle at the 2018 U.S. Open

Like anyone who breaks boundaries, Serena Williams has her haters, many of whom criticize tennis’s undisputed “GOAT” for being too strong, too powerful, and not feminine enough. This thinly veiled racism has been a constant throughout Williams’ career, making every tutu-inspired tennis look she wears feel all the more powerful. The three-layered tulle skirt of the asymmetrical tennis dress Williams wore on day seven of the 2018 U.S. Open embodies softness, from its dreamy periwinkle color to the light, airy way it moves around the court.

Serena Williams in Galia Lahav at the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Williams looked like an angel at the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in a form-fitting white lace mermaid gown by Galia Lahav. Despite the extra-long sleeves, yards and yards of lace, and the inevitable bridal energy, this look still managed to project a healthy dose of sensuality.

Serena Williams wears neon yellow at the 2016 Australian Open

Looking back at Williams’ tennis looks over the years, it’s a joy to see the style-defying style she did on Day 13 of the 2016 Australian Open. While her skirt and T-shirt ensemble featured the classic pleats and silhouette of standard tennis white, Williams opted for a bright neon hue that solidified her status as a fashion force on the court.

Serena Williams attends the 2015 Wimbledon Champions Dinner in a cape gown

Williams’ sense of fashion adventure includes bold color choices and unexpected silhouettes. While the pale blush color, high waist and crystal-embellished bodice of the gown Williams wore to the 2015 Wimbledon Champions Dinner was relatively subdued, its winged hat added huge fashion impact.

Serena Williams in Ines Di Santo at the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscars

Williams’ most iconic looks consider every fashion element from fabric to fit. At the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, the tennis star wore a gorgeous Ines Di Santo satin gown with a high slit and artful pleats.

Serena Williams wearing Gladiator Pleats at the 2004 U.S. Open

Five years after her U.S. Open debut, Williams’ skill and style have become legendary. During her match against Tatiana Golovin, Williams wore Nike gear and transformed the court into an arena filled with gladiator energy. Much of the look’s anachronistic point of view came from Williams’ calf-hugging zippered shoe covers and the silver hardware on her button-pleated tennis skirt.