I made a promise in the first ‘Lily’s Looks’ column to report on a match that occurred in the past few weeks. However, I recently saw footage of one of the most iconic tennis outfits to take to the pro tour—Serena Williams’s dress in her final pro tennis match and had to analyze it. This famous match took place on September 2, 2022, in the third round of the US Open.
Serena is widely accepted as the greatest female tennis player to grace the pro tour. She has shattered and forged new records, such as winning $94 million dollars in prize money and winning 39 grand slam titles: 23 in singles, 14 in doubles, and two mixed doubles titles. Her legacy will be forever missed, but one thing that I will certainly miss about her is her outfits—especially the one she wore for her final pro tennis match.
In the end, Ajla triumphed over Serena 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-1. Serena was likely aware it could be her final match, as her outfit reflected the solemnity of the circumstances. Serena wore a custom, celestial-inspired black dress by Nike paired with custom Nike shoes. This dress is resemblant of her signature style: a dress with a tutu-inspired skirt. The skirt reveals a sentimental hidden feature: the skirts are comprised of six layers to represent Serena’s six US Open victories.
Her dress showcases sheer black sleeves and neckline, contributing to its glamour. It is dotted with diamonds on the main bust that are formed to resemble the night sky and the Nike logo. This continues on her diamond-embellished shoes. But her dress is not the main attraction of Serena’s look—her hair was adorned with a jeweled headband and stamped gems. Serena’s glittering, celestial look will always be my favorite. The parallels to the solemn occasion, diamonds, and celestial theme make this—and Serena herself—something that will be forever etched in time.
Lily’s Analysis:
Style: (colors, fabric, composition) 10/10
Function: (comfort, breathability) 9/10
Serena’s opponent, Ajla Tomljanović, triumphed in a slim purple, blue, and pink dress. Her outfit was by Original Penguin, a lesser-known athletic wear brand. It has a near-square neck cut but narrows down to a v-neck; I don’t love this. I prefer dresses with identifiable straps and no buttons, and Ajla’s dress features a button-up closure as well. However, I adore the color palette. The pink and navy blue blend well and are colors I like.
Her dress retails on Original Penguin for $120, and pros include moisture-wicking technology and “lightweight single-knit fabrication.” Overall, I like this dress, but not nearly as much as Serena’s.
Lily’s Analysis:
Style: (colors, fabric, composition) 7/10
Function: (comfort, breathability) 7/10
Between these two outfits, it’s clear which is the winner: Serena’s dress. As I already love celestial-themed items, her dress appeals to me more than the average person in that way. Its inclusion of diamonds and multi-layered skirts is gorgeous, and Nike’s sentimental additions instantly render it beautiful, not just physically.
