Throughout the WNBA season, players and fans are both able to participate in collective experiences like theme nights. These theme nights can be rooted in fun, like dressing up for a ’90s throwback vibe or be designed to send a more powerful message, like supporting victims of gun violence. As the summer heats up, the different energies and diverse player styles must be skillfully balanced at each game.

For the fifth edition of the “The W in Designer: Flyest Fits of the Week”, fans are starting to see more players switching up their style for summer. Some players are introducing shorter silhouettes into their pregame wardrobe, and players are rocking highly coveted streetwear statement pieces. While some players are working on developing a consistent approach to their outfits, fans are also watching as other players introduce completely new styles to their player identities. 

Kahleah Copper 

After unveiling her SLAM cover earlier this year, Kaleah Copper is continuing to celebrate her ascension with the Sky while being draped out in designer pre-game. The 2021 All-Star was recently spotted in a Lanvin x Gallery Dept. Logo Hoodie, which was worn over a white shirt. Paired with Flare Denim from mnml and beige-colored sneakers, Copper’s outfit feels balanced and polarizes herself from the brighter color palettes that other players have been rocking. Keeping up the energy after becoming the 2021 Finals MVP, perhaps the paint splatters that cover her garments is a reference to going hard in the paint. 

Tina Charles

Tina Charles shows up for her game with the Phoenix Mercury in an outfit built on cool simplicity. She wears a white t-shirt with a legendary photo of Kobe Bryant, which is fitting for a game against Los Angeles from his time playing for Lower Merion High School. To add some contrast, Charles wears black skinny jeans and beige boots and rocks an oversized Louis Vuitton Keepall 55 Bandouliere bag. The finishing touch to her simple outfit is a pair of thin, gold wireframe shades to create an incognito aura before the game. 

Dearica Hamby

One thing Dearica Hamby is going to do is STUNT with pre-game fits that no one in the W has in their wardrobe. This fit includes an eye-catching mix of streetwear brands. Hamby rocks a Just Don x Bauer X Leather Hockey Jersey that features a black and green colorway. She also wears another incredible collaboration, a Stüssy x Nike Insulated Skirt that matches the cold nature of hockey. The black-on-black combination of clothing is broken up by a crispy pair of Nike Air Force 1 ’07 Essential with a green paisley print. Dearica might have the crown for the most fly player in the league, as she has been consistently wearing stylish outfits with unexpected pops of color throughout the season.  

Han Xu 

Playing for the New York Liberty, Han Xu wears a dress and shirt combination that helps her stand out from the rest of the league. Standing at 6′ 10″, Xu wears a white button-up shirt with a cinched sleeve detail underneath a black pleated dress. There are subtle details like black bows and pearls that appear on her sleeves, the straps of her dress, and her thin necklace. Aside from bringing a chic look to the Barclays Center, Xu has performed admirably with increased playing time, including a 13-point performance. 

Monique Billings

Monique Billings should be billing y’all just to see her fits alone, as she’s been making weekly appearances to “The W in Designer” series. Her bright smile is complemented by red sunglasses, a red purse, and red details on her black Supreme GORE-TEX Stickers Pant. To elevate her bold and streetwear-heavy pants, Billings pairs them with chunky platform sandals that wrap around her ankles and a black bustier top with white details. Since her pants feature a variety of different graphics, this player keeps things simple with minimal accessories apart from a thin white necklace.

DiJonai Carrington

At the Connecticut Sun’s 90’s Throwback Thursday night, DiJonai Carrington unveiled this on-theme outfit that features an unexpected mix of silhouettes and colors. She wears a slouchy light pink hat for some ’90s era swag that complements her long braids. Her scrunched pink mini skirt also coordinates with her hat, but her clear heels add a bit of a contemporary vibe to her look. Now that the weather’s warmer, it’s cool to see how players channel hot girl summer energy into their pregame fits.  Word to Ghostface Killah, DiJonai got that “Grey Poupon” to her style.

Jasmine Thomas

Among the righteous theme nights that the league participates in, the Connecticut Sun is wearing orange on June 3, 2022, for National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Honoring those whose lives have been taken or forever changed by gun violence, Jasmine Thomas reminds fans of the important underlying message by wearing it on her shirt. It’s not easy to wear a bright orange shirt, but Thomas pairs it with camouflage pants and a basic pair of Nike Blazers. Her fit is TOUGH and it effectively amplifies the important message that she’s repping.

Newly hired 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.