How to Serve a Winning Look at the US Open
By Isabelle Redfield
Every August, from Sunday to Sunday, the US Open arrives as the finale of summer and an overture to fall. Style, like tennis, demands both discipline and ease. Since 1881, the tournament has been a grand presentation of athletic stamina and social choreography. To watch the matches is to also watch the stands: a theater of shifting heads, court-side celebrities, and fashion.
From Billie Jean King to Chris Evert to Maria Sharapova, the legends of the sport have made it about what is worn as much as what is won. Today, individuals of influence from Morgan Riddle to Paige Lorenze give us a bird’s eye view with their VIP dispatches—now as much a part of the Open as the Honey Deuce. But unless you have a personal invite to the Polo Ralph Lauren suite, you’re not moving like they are. For the rest of us, the Open means long lines, heat, and a lot of walking. Dressing well here means dressing smart.
I went this year on Opening Day, and should you find yourself a seat, here’s what to know:
Shoes Are Strategy
Do not wear heels. Escalators, security lines, and sunbaked concrete will undo you by the second set. Sneakers, flats, or sandals only.
Long over Mega Mini
Seats are hot, plastic, and unforgiving. Shorts stick, skirts ride up, and you’ll spend the match fidgeting. A long, breathable maxi is the uniform that works.
Wear the White!
The Open happens during August’s last gasp, and New York does not cool until long after fashion decrees you should. Wear the white. In fact, wear all of it. This is the time.
Hydrate, Sunscreen, Explore
Yes, you will want a Honey Deuce— lemonade, raspberry liqueur, vodka, and tennis ball shaped honeydew— everyone does. But between sets, drink water and apply SPF. A lot of it. If you’re worried about sun exposure, consider a light sweater around your neck. And budget time to wander the grounds. The matches are thrilling, but so is the spectacle of the crowd.
Shop the Merch and Grab the Radio
Don’t be shy. Merch doubles as shade and souvenir. Ralph Lauren, the official sponsor, has staged another darling activation. You’ll be matching half the stadium, but that’s part of the charm. Bonus points if you grab the blue headset to listen to the commentators in real time.
Keep It Simple
Soak in the history, roar with the crowd, and be respectful in between points. The best looks are sharp, unfussy, and built for the sun. Sunglasses, a clean silhouette, and one statement piece— the famous RL rule of three.
The truth is this: Paige and Morgan may sit in shade and clink champagne, but the majority of us are baking in the sun. That doesn’t mean you can’t look chic— it just means your Open wardrobe should be built for endurance and ease. Just like the sport.
Before graduating from Southern Methodist University, Isabelle founded The Conservateur. Her previous experience includes roles with the United States Senate, Fox News, the Republican National Commitee, the Trump Campaign, and the White House. She now lives in Washington, DC.
