The W in Designer | Playoff Style Matchup: Isabelle Harrison and Courtney Williams


Two of the most fashion-forward players represent the diverse style expression in the league.

After breaking the record for the most viewers for a single WNBA Playoffs game, the Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun are facing off in another exciting round. With striking players like forward Isabelle Harrison and guard Courtney Williams, these teams bring an exciting style matchup between two of the most fashion-forward players in the league. When arriving at games, Harrison has a bright smile and a peace sign before she lights up on-court with some of the best footwork skills in the league. Williams poses in streetwear-inspired stances for pre-game photos before bringing free-flowing energy as she navigates up and down the court. 

The greatest strength of Harrison and Williams is their ability to stay true to themselves and maintain their unwavering personalities while on the court. Understanding the importance of style to an athlete’s images, these two players are skilled at sharing impressive ‘fit pics online and creating memorable pre-game moments. Sharing a greater appreciation for fashion than most players, Harrison and Williams also compliment each other’s outfits in various Instagram comments. They’re both exceptionally skilled at building a sense of camaraderie across the league and with their teammates, as seen in their on-court performance. Seeing Harrison and Williams shine on and off the court also reflects the diverse range of expressions that will shape the future of the WNBA.  

Although most people don’t think that Harrison and Williams dress similarly, they actually have worn similar pieces throughout the season. They’ve worn cargo pants, football jerseys, and tons of fly snapback caps but style them in highly different ways. Harrison tends to gravitate towards trendy statement pieces like miniature pieces, while Williams rocks classic, highly functional athletic backpacks when studying their accessories. Both players also frequently wear matching sets or suits for their pre-game outfits, but Harrison picks more revealing, experimental cuts than Williams. With both players consistently going viral on social media for their pre-game outfits, the latest Playoffs Style Matchup identifies key differences in their styling: 

Tiny Statement Purses vs. Big Sporty Backpacks

More often than not, a woman’s choice of bag will determine the rest of their outfit’s vibe. Harrison has been spotted this season with miniature statement purses that help her pre-game outfits pop. Her collection includes trendy designer options from Balenciaga and Telfar, a miniature bedazzled football-shaped piece, and tiny purses in fluorescent colors. Harrison typically wears bold heels and short dresses or skirts to match the “extra” vibe of her small purses. Working with stylist Adrianne Ross, Harrison’s outfits are complex and balanced, so Harrison never looks outlandish against her teeny accessories. 

Williams gravitates towards oversized athletic backpacks, a very conventional bag choice for a player with a renegade approach to style. She’s frequently seen in pre-game photos with a forest green backpack with black mesh– Williams typically wears the bag on her shoulders, but other times, she’ll hold it by its top handle. Although the rest of her outfits ooze with swag, Williams also channels classic athlete silhouettes through basketball shorts, short-sleeved button-up shirts, and sneakers with white socks. Plus, if anyone can make a traditional backpack look cool, it will be Williams.   

Toned Down Jordans vs. Loud Nike Dunks

Joining the Jordan Brand athlete roster in 2021, Harrison often rocks Jordan sneakers and apparel for pre-game outfits. The latest womenswear offerings from Jordan feature minimal designs in neutral colors and lots of matching sets. Harrison wears less bright colors from head to toe than other players. When she’s not in heels, her choice of footwear includes an array of Jordan’s best models in toned-down colorways. Considering the number of self-proclaimed sneakerheads in the league, Harrison might have one of the more robust shoe collections in a lowkey way. 

The finishing touch on William’s highly color-coordinated pre-game outfits is always a pair of flashy sneakers that perfectly match whatever she’s wearing. Although Williams wears a diverse selection of sneakers, she’s most frequently seen in Nike Dunk Lows. Even when Williams rocks pairs in an “Orange Flash” or “Brazil” colorway, the simple cut of the Nike Dunk sneakers never look like too much on the 5′ 8″ guard. Williams has also confirmed that she styles herself, and the Nike Dunks are a great go-to silhouette for this season. 

Experimental Cuts vs. Classic Shapes

While Harrison channels a wide variety of styles in her pre-game outfits for this season, there’s an overarching theme of experimental cuts in her wardrobe. Even if she’s wearing a basic black suit, she’ll wear a suit with an interesting collar cut and ditch an inner layer for a more dramatic effect. Harrison partnered with New York-based designer Kim Shui to create custom looks with porcelain-printed materials and imaginative corsetry elements. Harrison doesn’t have too many signature accessories apart from a custom oversized Jumpman-shaped chain, which offers an interesting twist on the standard logo. 

To balance her affinity for bold colors and patterns, Williams typically wears outfits cut into classic shapes. She’ll wear a short sleeve button-up shirt with flattering pants that aren’t too baggy or a matching set in a wide, oversized ’90s fit. William’s simple choice of apparel also focuses more on the stacks of eye-catching jewelry she wears, including pearl necklaces, silver chains, and her signature “10” iced-out chain. Although classic or traditional aren’t words typically associated with William’s streetwear-heavy style, her clothing consists of these simple silhouettes.  

Swift On-Court Movement vs. Silky Smooth Moves 

Playing as a forward, Harrison can quickly move through the court while gracefully switching her moves. She also wears her uniform personalized by adding a single leg sleeve, which adds an avant-garde feeling to her on-court style. Another in-game staple accessory for Harrison is a headband and a sleek ponytail that follows each of her in-game moves. Harrison will also occasionally play with colorful nails, but she isn’t a player that’s extra enough to go with a long manicure.  

If there’s one word that describes William’s outfits and her in-game playing style, it would be smooth. Her natural swag translates to how she moves on-court and brings a fiery pace to each game. Williams keeps her uniform relatively simple and doesn’t play with any jewelry or accessories, except for the occasional pair of compression shorts under her shorts. Like William’s pre-game shoe collection, she also wears many pairs of equally colorful performance shoes. With rapid dribbling and passing skills, Williams fluidly moves through the court. 

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.