Statement-Making Fashion Ruled the 2025 WNBA Draft in Mini Dresses, Suits, and More
When it came to dressing, the women at the 2025 WNBA draft did not show up to play.
As much as this was a night to celebrate the incredible athleticism of the athletes, the 2025 WNBA Draft was also a moment to make a fashion statement for many players. 13 teams took their turn drafting the freshest talents in the sport on Monday night, with the number one pick going to Paige Bueckers, the star college guard joining the Dallas Wings. Bueckers stepped out in a custom Coach suit covered in 200,000 glass crystals, (and if that doesn't scream MVP, then we don't know what does). And while the night was centered around which player was going to which team, we could not help but notice attendees' impressive style.
Kiki Iriafen was the fourth overall pick is slotted to play for the Washington Mystics. Basketball aside, she donned a standout gown on the carpet. Iriafen, who is Nigerian-American wore a custom look by Nigerian designer Nneka Alexander, celebrating her heritage on the big night. This was a similar sentiment for many players who took the opportunity to highlight their cultures through their clothing, wearing brands that hail from Croatia to France and beyond. Others rocked mini dresses and well-done tailoring. As the WNBA has increasingly become a spotlight for women's style, it makes sense why players chose to highlight their individuality through their outfits at the draft.
It seems that the draft became a fashion event just last year, after years of gaining momentum. At the 2024 draft, Caitlin Clark, the first-round overall pick who now plays for the Indiana Fever, wore head-to-toe Prada a year ago. Her outfit was said to have cost close to $17,000 and was just one look that highlighted the connection between high fashion and the WNBA. Angel Reese, another favorite, wore a twinkling sheer gown the Bronx and Banco that same night, drawing headlines. While NBA players, with their notably larger salaries, often sport highly expensive clothing and glitzy watches while making public appearances, tides are turning. Woman players like Clark and Bueckers are here to prove the sartorial strength on the women's side of the sport.
With the intersection of sports and style continuing to rise, more brands are getting in on the action, too. The morning of the draft, Coach revealed it entered a partnership with the league, becoming its official handbag sponsor.
Want to see the most interesting outfits from Monday night? Click through the gallery to see the best red carpet looks at the 2025 WNBA Draft.
