As the late-summer heat beats down on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, anticipation for the US Open reaches a fever pitch. Though the tournament is still a few weeks away, tickets for the coveted seats inside Arthur Ashe Stadium are already moving fast. For those fortunate enough to have secured their entry into New York City’s most electric sporting spectacle, the countdown has begun not just for the rallies and match points, but for the grand annual tradition that runs parallel to the tennis: courtside fashion.
Drawing upwards of 950,000 spectators over a sprawling three-week period, the US Open is far more than a premier athletic competition—it is a premier cultural and sartorial runway. From the classic Americana styling of Ralph Lauren’s crisp polos and cable-knit sweaters (proudly worn by the tournament’s ball models and officials) to the meticulously coordinated tennis-whites sported by spectators, the style scene never disappoints.
To help you ace your tournament look this year, we have broken down the history, the logistics, and nine winning outfit formulas that blend high-fashion sensibility with all-day stadium comfort.
Main Facts: The US Open as a Cultural Phenomenon
The US Open is the final Grand Slam tournament of the calendar year, preceded by the Australian Open, the French Open (Roland Garros), and Wimbledon. Held annually at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, the tournament commands a massive global audience and a staggering local presence.
- Attendance Milestones: The tournament routinely shatters attendance records. With over 950,000 spectators walking the grounds across qualifying weeks and the main draw, it stands as one of the most highly attended annual sporting events in the world.
- The Intersection of Sport and Style: Unlike the strictly enforced, tradition-bound all-white dress code of Wimbledon, the US Open encourages a vibrant, eclectic display of personal style. Attendees lean into New York City’s signature grit and glamour, resulting in a fashion landscape where preppy heritage pieces rub shoulders with avant-garde streetwear.
- Celebrity Row: Arthur Ashe Stadium is famous for its star-studded crowds. From musicians like Rosalía—who memorably channeled classic prep in a suede jacket and hairbow—to cinematic royalty like Jessica Alba hiding behind sleek designer shades, the tournament is a magnet for A-listers.
Chronology: From Tennis Tradition to Modern Runway
To understand how the US Open evolved into a premier fashion destination, it helps to look at the timeline of tennis apparel and tournament culture.
Early Decades: Strict Function and Propriety
- Late 19th to Mid 20th Century: Tennis fashion was historically dictated by strict social codes. Players wore heavy flannels, long skirts, and stiff collared shirts. Spectators mirrored this formality, treating a day at the matches as an occasion for Sunday-best tailoring.
- The Shift to Performance Wear: As the game sped up in the latter half of the 20th century, synthetic fabrics and athletic brands revolutionized player kits. Spectators, too, began adopting more relaxed, sports-adjacent attire like polo shirts and canvas sneakers.
The Modern Era: The Commercialization of Court Style
- The 1990s and 2000s: Designer sponsorships entered the mainstream. Ralph Lauren became the official outfitter of the US Open, cementing a visual language of striped polos, pastel knitwear, and timeless Americana that defined the tournament’s aesthetic.
- The 2020s and Beyond: Social media, street style photography, and high-low collaborations transformed the stands of Flushing Meadows. Today, tenniscore is a dominant global trend, and brands look to the US Open as a critical launchpad for capsule collections, celebrity partnerships, and high-fashion athletic gear.
Supporting Data: The Economics of the Open
The massive influx of nearly a million attendees generates a powerful economic engine for New York City and sets records across multiple sectors:
- Economic Impact: The tournament contributes hundreds of millions of dollars annually to NYC’s tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors. Hotels across Manhattan and Queens experience near-capacity bookings during the fortnight.
- Retail and Apparel Spikes: August and September see a measurable surge in searches and retail sales for "tenniscore" apparel—including pleated skirts, knit polos, performance sneakers, and branded caps. Brands leveraging collaborative drops (such as On x Zendaya or Adidas x Song for the Mute) report significant spikes in digital and on-site engagement.
- Ticketing Demand: Despite expanded grounds and multiple stadium upgrades over the decades, ticket demand consistently outpaces supply, turning Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums into coveted real estate for sports fans and fashion influencers alike.
Official Responses and Industry Insights
Major players in fashion and sports marketing have increasingly recognized the symbiotic relationship between athletic performance and lifestyle trends.
- Designers on the Court: "The energy of New York is unmatched, and that translates directly into what people choose to wear to the Open," notes a leading industry buyer. "You need something that transitions seamlessly from an afternoon match in the blazing sun to an evening cocktail on the grounds."
- Comfort Meets Polish: Athletic footwear brands emphasize that the physical layout of Flushing Meadows demands functional footwear. With thousands of steps logged walking between courts, food villages, and brand activations, orthopedic-level comfort is non-negotiable. "The modern spectator wants to look like they stepped out of an editorial spread, but they refuse to sacrifice foot health," says a footwear brand representative. "That’s why sleek, technical lifestyle sneakers are dominating the scene."
Implications: The Rise of "Tenniscore" in Everyday Culture
The enduring popularity of US Open fashion extends far beyond the bounds of Queens. The tournament serves as a cultural bellwether, signaling broader shifts in consumer dressing habits.
- Athleisure’s Elevated Evolution: The traditional boundary between gym wear and work-or-weekend wear continues to dissolve. High-end knit polos, technical pleated skirts, and designer-collaboration running shoes are now staples of metropolitan wardrobes year-round.
- Experiential Dressing: Events like the US Open have turned attending a sports match into an immersive style exercise. Consumers increasingly buy entire wardrobes specifically curated for cultural moments, driving retail innovation and limited-edition product cycles.
9 Winning Outfit Ideas for the US Open
As you prepare for the matches, keep the golden rule of courtside style in mind: balance polish with practicality. Here are nine expertly curated outfit formulas designed to help you command the sidelines in style.
1. Sporty Separates in Modern Tones
- The Look: Pair a structured knit polo with a pleated tennis skort for a contemporary, girlishly preppy aesthetic.
- Key Pieces: Vivienne Westwood logo-embroidered cotton-piqué polo shirt paired with the Lululemon Varsity Swift high-rise pleated tennis skirt.
2. Summer Layers in Case of Rain
- The Look: New York weather can be unpredictable. Master the transitional weather trend by contrasting a technical nylon track jacket with a voluminous full skirt—the ultimate fashion-girl juxtaposition.
3. Shorty Shorts and Fisherman Sandals
- The Look: Equal parts eccentric and athletic. Combine a classic bateau tee with tailored track shorts and a structured bucket hat.
- Key Pieces: J.Crew Cruise drawstring poplin shorts anchored by Emme Parsons Ernest leather sandals.
4. A Lightweight Tunic and Wraparound Sandals
- The Look: For effortless, breezy courtside elegance that beats the late-summer humidity, a flowing tunic dress paired with flat sandals is unbeatable.
- Key Pieces: Lisa Marie Fernandez Shantung maxi dress styled with A.Emery Odine wrap leather sandals and finished with statement Le Sundial Venice Opera earrings.
5. Tennis-Inspired Whites and Shield Sunglasses
- The Look: Give the classic all-white ensemble an off-duty edge. Style a crisp, oversized button-down with white denim shorts and architectural shades.
- Key Pieces: Oliver Peoples x Khaite 1974C D-frame acetate sunglasses paired with modern statement sneakers.
6. A Court-Ready Mini and Slim Sneakers
- The Look: Score major style points whether you are courtside or wandering the grounds in a sporty athletic dress.
- Key Pieces: Nike striped jersey tennis dress paired with Adidas Originals x Song for the Mute Tokyo suede and leather-trimmed sneakers, topped off with a Janessa Leóne straw hat and accessorized with a Mejuri bold chain bracelet.
7. A Preppy Polo and Mini Skort
- The Look: Pay direct homage to tennis heritage with a classic ribbed polo shirt paired with a high-performance mini skort.
- Key Pieces: Still Here Daughter jersey polo shirt paired with the On Court recycled tennis mini skirt and Dries Van Noten leather-trimmed suede sneakers.
8. Jeans and a T-Shirt, Remixed
- The Look: Elevated casual. A refined striped tee paired with crisp white denim strikes the ideal balance between relaxed and put-together.
- Key Pieces: J.Crew Perfect-Fit striped crewneck t-shirt grounded by Prada Re-Nylon and suede elasticized sneakers.
9. A Knit Polo Dress and Comfy Sneakers
- The Look: Lean fully into the vintage club aesthetic with a cotton polo dress, performance-engineered walking shoes, and a retro headband.
- Key Pieces: Sophie Buhai Bessette acetate headband paired with On x Zendaya Cloudzone Moon mesh sneakers for all-day cushioning and unmatched style.
Tickets for the upcoming US Open are selling fast. If you haven’t secured yours yet, head over to the official US Open Ticket Portal to grab your seats before they are gone.