At the 2025 US Open in New York City, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams made a striking return to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, pairing classic Lacoste tennis whites and custom looks by leading American designers with viral accessories like an ERL fuzzy racquet bag, according to coverage from CNN Style and the New York Times.
The Bottom Line
- The Fashion Icon Returns: Venus Williams turned her 2025 US Open comeback into a major style showcase, working closely with stylist Ronald Burton.
- A Nod to History: Her wardrobe featured intentional tributes to tennis trailblazer Althea Gibson, exactly 75 years after Gibson first competed at the tournament.
- A Shift in Court Couture: From custom Khaite and Luar pieces to an accessible $45 H&M tennis dress, Williams blended high fashion with athletic functionality.
Decoding the Wardrobe: From Khaite to Lacoste Whites
Designed by creative director Cate Holstein, the look featured cap sleeves, an open back with a peekaboo bra, and white trim, anchored by crisp white Lacoste sneakers.
But the sartorial surprises didn’t stop there. The US Open dedicated its edition to honoring Gibson, marking the 75th anniversary of her historic debut as the first Black player to compete in a major tennis tournament.
“I’m so happy that we’re paying homage to her, that people are getting to know her and her accomplishments, what that means for us, and how inspiring it is for every single person.”
The Designer Collaborations Shaping the US Open
The 45-year-old champion’s wardrobe relied heavily on a roster of innovative American labels curated by Burton, whose client roster also includes Solange Knowles and Erykah Badu. Before her singles match against Karolina Muchova, Williams participated in a charity exhibition partnering with John McEnroe, wearing an edgy custom black merino-wool dress and an oversized track jacket with ruffle details from avant-garde New York label Luar, inspired by their spring 2025 runway.
Here is the kicker: high fashion didn’t exclude accessible retail. During her women’s doubles matches alongside Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, Williams mixed luxury pieces with unexpected items, including a $45 Softmove Tennis Dress from H&M. She paired the accessible piece with a white rhinestone-studded visor resembling a tiara and a bold red custom 3.1 Phillip Lim embellished satin bomber.
| Tournament Phase | Designer / Brand | Key Outfit Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed Doubles (Round 1) | Khaite | Custom navy tennis dress with cap sleeves and open back, paired with Lacoste sneakers. |
| Stars of the Open Exhibition | Luar | Custom black merino-wool dress with a pleated skirt and eyelet-trimmed track jacket. |
| Women’s Doubles (Round 1) | H&M & 3.1 Phillip Lim | $45 Softmove Tennis Dress paired with a red custom embellished satin bomber and rhinestone visor. |
| Women’s Doubles (Round 2) | Who Decides War | Custom embellished look featuring spandex, mesh, and studded matte leather trim. |
The Viral Accessory Stealing the Spotlight
Chief among them was a blonde, shearling butter-yellow fuzzy racquet bag by ERL, which added a surrealist twist to her retro-inspired look and landed the tennis legend on numerous best-dressed lists.
“To me, it was simply showing the power of evolution and the ability to adapt as a seasoned veteran and focusing on the future of American fashion who will grow to be legendary houses in their own right,” Burton explained to WWD regarding the overarching styling vision.
As Williams continues to balance her legendary athletic legacy with modern style curation, her 2025 US Open run proves that tennis apparel remains one of the most fertile grounds for high-concept fashion. Drop a comment below and let us know which of Venus’s custom designer looks was your absolute favorite on the court.
