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Meticulously preparing outfits for Week 1, the players are beginning to expand their tunnel looks to include intentionally selected and non-wearable items. From canned beverages to signature sneaker announcements, players can use these ‘accessories’ to communicate messages outside their personal style.

No object spotted in the tunnel is ever as random as it seems; multiple players from this outfit round-up enhanced their levels of color coordination with whatever objects they held in their hands. While players have traditionally worn a head-to-toe outfit from their sportswear sponsor, the emergence of objects as accessories also proposes new ways for players to represent brands. Scroll below to see how players take a ‘hands-on’ approach to their outfits of Week 1. 

Kierstan Bell 

While Las Vegas Aces’ Kierstan Bell has worn rainbow-colored pants, this is the first time she has coordinated her outfit to her beverage. The ice of her matcha-colored drink is like her subtle, icy diamond jewelry. How did she get the drink’s fruit topper to perfectly match the orange panels of her Prada America’s Cup Sneakers? 

Cameron Brink

Cameron Brink, a recent addition to the Sparks, keeps her style consistent with matching sets and a tough leather vibe. Although her canned beverage doesn’t match the Diesel 1DR bag, Brink transforms this in-hand accessory into a subtle, sponsored shout-out to Optimum Nutrition.

Skylar Diggins-Smith 

Skylar Diggins-Smith adds royal blue to her wardrobe while continuing two of her style relationships: a partnership with PUMA HOOPS and working with stylist Kristine Anigwe. Her vest and hat are from the PUMA x Noah collaboration, which visually matches the potential food delivery bag she’s carrying. 

Myisha Hines-Allen 

Myisha Hines-Allen proudly wears a full outfit from Community Love Hub, a Black—and veteran-owned clothing brand from the DMV. Featuring fresh Air Force 1s, her look is panda-inspired and black and white. By holding black flip-flops, Hines-Allen reverses the tradition of athletes showing up in their slides and holding their sneakers. 

Sabrina Ionescu

Following famous athlete announcements, Sabrina Ionescu enters the tunnel to announce her second signature sneaker with Nike. Instead of visual coordination, perhaps her sparkly outfit connects to the storytelling behind the new purple colorway: the denim-covered denim reflects how she’s been able to shatter glass ceilings. 

Jordan Horston 

Jordan Horston looks extra fly with aviator-inspired Versace sunglasses and an MCM backpack a day before her birthday. Her oversized muscle T-shirt matches the dark Space Gray of her Apple Airpods Max headphones, an ever-popular pregame accessory. Does the outfit attract attention or does it block out distractions?  

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