Williams was the embodiment of 2000s chic when she sported a Nike studded tank top and a pleated denim skirt—just the sort of clothes that Gen Z-ers scour their favourite fast fashion (or thrift) stores for today. Williams herself had actually found her jean-spiration from another tennis player: André Agassi, who famously wore denim shorts on the court.

Williams fearlessly broke Wimbledon’s all-white dress code when she sported a pair of bright red hotpants under her white Nike dress. The offending shorts, which matched the piping on her dress and her Nike trainers, were worn for good luck—and true enough, the tennis star did end up winning the Wimbledon championship that year.

Williams was unmissable as she tore through the competition to win her 18th Grand Slam title—dressed in leopard print, no less. She had two different outfits featuring the fierce animal print, but it’s the hot pink version that will live on in Barbiecore moodboards.

The self-described “girly-girl” served up even more pink power at the 2014 Australia Open when she wore a bubblegum-hued blazer. When the athlete got down to business, she did away with the jacket to unveil a mesh polka dot dress that even matched her manicure.

Showcasing perfect coordination in both her forehand and her fashion sense, Williams donned two edgy tennis dresses with skirts marked by neon pink pleats. Her arm sleeves also proved to be a powerful accessory, emphasising her excellent form.

Williams looked every bit the superhero when she stepped out in her second controversial catsuit in 2018. The skintight ensemble was designed to protect against blood clots, which Williams has a history of suffering from. But its resemblance to a Black Panther costume also made her feel like a “warrior princess”, a boost that she needed when she played the French Open less than a year after a difficult pregnancy. Williams would emerge victorious, although the French Tennis Federation would later announce a ban on catsuits.

Playing tennis in a tutu? Williams and former Off-White designer Virgil Abloh made it possible when they collaborated on a custom one-shoulder ballerina-style dress that was inspired by Williams’ interest in dance. The look came in black, but it was undoubtedly the lavender version that stole the show.

Read more: Nike’s Serena Williams Design Crew Unveils First Collection

Talk about making an entrance: Williams transformed the court into a runway when she stepped out in a custom white Nike one-shoulder dress that came with a dramatic, detachable train.

Williams was a joy to watch as she served up her best moves at the 2021 Australia Open while donning a colour-block catsuit. Again, her penchant for pink shined through, as did her love for asymmetric styles (the bodysuit only featured one leg).

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