You don’t become one of the world’s most famous athletes without taking a few risks, and the same can be said of earning fashion icon status. Case in point? The one and only Serena Williams. Whether on the court or off, her style has stood the test of time, and continues to be a testament to her unflappable sense of self.

Williams’s best outfits defy convention, much like the athlete herself. It’s no secret that detractors once considered her body, technique, attitude, and—yes—even her style a bit too much. Williams has spent over a decade defying her critics, reaching frequently for bold prints, bright colors, and many layers of tulle. (Her stylish efforts haven’t gone unnoticed: in 2023, she won the CFDA Fashion Icon Award.) And while it was difficult to narrow down our list of Williams’s best outfits to a mere 13 gowns, tennis two-piece sets, and decadent dresses, we, like Williams, were up to the challenge. Keep scrolling for 13 of her most iconic looks yet.

13.  Serena Williams in Dolce & Gabbana at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Williams arrived at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics in a red monochromatic outfit courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana. The look was perfectly on theme for the official torch bearer, who also took an official Olympic boat ride down the Seine with fellow tennis champion Rafael Nadal.

12. Serena Williams in Armani Privé at the 2024 ESPY Awards

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Williams wore Armani Privé for an undeniably glamorous trolling session of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift during her opening monologue at the 2024 ESPY Awards.

“Travis and Taylor reportedly spent $100,000 a day on their romance,” Williams said. “That’s a lot of money. That’s what I’ve been told [Boston Celtics shooting guard] Jaylen Brown spends on his beard. It’s very shiny. I like it though.”

11. Serena Williams in Balenciaga at the 2024 Met Gala

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Williams never misses an opportunity to make a splash at the Met Gala. In 2023, she used her fit to announce her second pregnancy; in 2024, she stepped out in a shimmering Balenciaga gown with the perfect red carpet slogan shared on Instagram: “Going for gold.” The custom look was inspired by the brand’s archive; according to People, “the atelier dedicated 150 hours to pattern-making and crafted the couture piece from 25 meters of gold foil-laminated taffeta sourced from Italy.”

10. Serena Williams in Off-White at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in 2024

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Honoring the late designer Virgil Abloh, Williams donned Off-White for the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in 2024. The look was an elegant twist on the classic black gown, with intricate red and white beading on the top of the dress. Williams wore matching black gloves to complete the ensemble.

9. Serena Williams in Safiyaa at the Pre-Grammy Gala in 2024

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Williams gave a nod to old Hollywood glam in another black gown, updating the classic look this time with long off-the-shoulder gold sleeves. She then took to the stage to introduce Green Day prior to their opening set.

“When Billie Joe Armstrong calls you to present their band,” Williams joked on Instagram, “you jump on a plane and do it.”

8. Serena Williams in Gucci at the 94th Annual Academy Awards

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Both Williams sisters served as producers on the Oscar-winning film King Richard, and Serena delivered old Hollywood glamour on the Academy Awards red carpet for the big night. The floral appliqué on Williams’s plunging custom Gucci gown was echoed in the lace pattern on her sheer black gloves. A gown like this one can hold its own on a red carpet with minimal accessories. Williams opted for minimal jewelry with just two cocktail rings and a pair of stud earrings from her own jewelry line.

7. Serena Williams in Balmain at Paris Fashion Week in 2022

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Only the very best looks will do if you’re sitting front row at Paris Fashion Week, and Williams certainly got the memo. The A-lister attended the Balmain Fall/Winter ’22/’23 show in a two-piece rich velvet set that accentuated her shape with quilting and pleating.

6. Serena Williams in Sheer Black Sparkles at the 2022 US Open

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No shade to standard tennis skirts, but Williams prefers a bit of sparkle in her competition looks designed by Nike. On Day Three of the 2022 US Open, Williams wore an inky black tennis dress with a swirling skirt, rhinestone-embellished bodice, and sheer long sleeves. The fit, accessorized with a matching headband, said “star power” loud enough for every spectator to hear.

5. Serena Williams in Green Ombre at the 2021 French Open

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On day eight of the 2021 French Open, Williams opted for ombre. Her tennis dress, sweatbands, and sneakers were a masterclass in monochromatic styling, incorporating cool-toned shades of sage, lime, and mint.

4. Serena Williams in a Color Block Unitard at the 2021 Australian Open

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For her Women’s Singles Quarterfinals match at the 2021 Australian Open, Williams swapped out a flouncy silhouette in favor of a stream-lined asymmetrical unitard. While the look served all the vibrancy fans have come to expect from Williams, it also paid tribute to Florence Griffith Joyner: track star, record breaker, and one of Williams’ childhood heroes.

“I was inspired by Flo-Jo, who was a wonderful track athlete, amazing athlete, when I was growing up,” Williams told The Guardian at the time. Hinting at the connection between sports and sartorial arts and perhaps her own taste in experimental activewear, Williams added that “[Flo-Jo’s fashion] was always changing. Her outfits were always amazing.”

3. Serena Williams in Flouncy Purple at the 2020 Australian Open

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On day five of the 2020 Australian Open, Williams combined two of her favorite tennis outfit details: prints and a healthy dose of feminine flounce. For her Women’s Singles third-round match, she wore a tennis dress with a tiered ruffle skirt in a pale watercolor palette with a not-quite animal print navy pattern.

2. Serena Williams in all-red at the 2020 US Open

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In a word, this look was fire. At the 2020 US Open, Williams opted for a rich crimson monochromatic look. Her Nike tank and flouncy tennis skirt perfectly matched her accessories. Williams’ sneakers featured subtle color-blocking to keep the look from feeling flat.

1. Serena Williams in Periwinkle Tulle at the 2018 US Open

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Like any boundary-breaker, Williams has haters, many of whom critique the sport’s uncontested GOAT for being too strong, too powerful, and not feminine enough—the latter of which makes every tutu-inspired tennis look she wears feel all the more powerful. The three-tiered tulle skirt on the asymmetrical tennis dress Williams wore on day seven of the 2018 US Open was softness incarnate, from its dreamy periwinkle color to the light and airy way it moved on the court.