• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 9, 2025
One week till Asset Class! Request to Attend

WNBA Draft Fashion Has Come a Long Way From ‘Most Athletic Accountants’ Era

  • Former draftees say they had to comply with a strict business dress code.
  • Caitlin Clark wore Prada on Monday, the first time the designer has styled a NBA or WNBA draftee.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

WNBA draft picks walked the orange carpet at the Brooklyn Academy of Music Monday night styled by Prada, Jason Wu, and Vogue’s fashion editor Naomi Elizée. No. 7 pick Angel Reese, wearing a backless silver dress with a hood and low v-neck, “looked as if she had taken a side road on her way to the Met Gala,” the New York Times wrote. Cameron Brink wore a one-shoulder black and white gown with a high slit, while Rickea Jackson showed off two looks, starting in a bold red suit before changing to a sparkling silver one.

The fashion show highlighted the players’ personalities and made the draft about more than basketball. But players and fans on social media treating the WNBA Draft like a miniature Oscars red carpet hasn’t always been the case. For years, the league instilled a strict business dress code, former draftees say. And looking back now, the group photos are a bit cringey.

“We were looking like some of the most athletic accountants you’ve ever seen,” 2012 No. 3 pick Devereaux Peters tells Front Office Sports.

Peters headed to the draft after surpassing 1,000 points at Notre Dame, and says she didn’t know what to wear for the “very, very, very strict dress code.” A fellow 2012 draftee, Samantha Prahalis, was even forced to put on stockings under her dress, Peters says. (Photos from draft night indeed show Prahalis wearing stockings.) 

Brad Penner – USA TODAY Sports

Reese and Jackson wore Peters’ favorite looks of the night. “I am really excited to just see some actual fashion,” she says. “That was not a thing for us, so it’s really cool to see how that’s evolved.”

Sydney Colson of the Las Vegas Aces, a 2011 draft pick, chimed in on social media Monday night: “It’s super emotional to see these WNBA draftees no longer have to wear business casual clothing at the draft,” she posted along with a teary-eyed emoji. Colson engaged with fans, including one who joked that an old draft group photo looked like a “student council meeting.”

Peters, who saw her last WNBA action in 2018, says she’s excited to see how some of the rookies transition into the league. That’s been a common chorus among veteran players in recent weeks, with renowned trash-talker Diana Taurasi saying “reality is coming” for Clark. Breanna Stewart filmed a commercial for the league where she ate “Rookie-O’s” for breakfast.

The buzz around the draft is exciting because it’s the result of decades of WNBA players fighting for coverage, salaries, exposure, and sponsorship, Peters says.

“I feel like a proud parent to be honest. It’s just really cool to see them getting this attention in a way that we’ve wanted it to be for a very, very long time,” Peters says.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

LSU Signs Multimillion-Dollar Jersey Patch Deal Before NCAA Approval

A new proposal would allow jersey sponsors in 2026.

NFL Viewership Reaches Highest Level Since 2010, Up 8% from 2024

Through Week 5, the league’s audience levels are at a 15-year high.
May 10, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Singer Bad Bunny watches game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
opinion

How NFL Can Get Its Arms Around Bad Bunny Situation

The league could try to balance Bad Bunny with a MAGA-friendly performer.
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the game at Kenan Stadium

UNC’s Disastrous Season Continues With Report of NCAA Rules Violation

A UNC cornerbacks coach reportedly gave sideline passes to a player’s family.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Nov 28, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit:

Hockey Canada Trial’s Michael McLeod Signs Outside NHL

Fans in Carolina protested the team’s interest in the Hockey Canada 5.
Napheesa Collier
October 5, 2025

WNBA Tensions Heat Up With Canceled Collier–Engelbert Meeting

The commissioner denied Collier’s version of events at a press conference Friday.
Bucks
October 7, 2025

Bucks Reportedly Discussed Giannis Deal With Knicks This Summer

Antetokounmpo’s future will be a major NBA storyline this year.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Caitlin Clark
October 3, 2025

Cathy Engelbert Denies Saying Caitlin Clark Should Be ‘Grateful’ For WNBA

“Obviously I did not make those comments.”
Caitlin Clark
exclusive
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Will Not Join Second Season of Unrivaled

The Fever star struggled with several injuries in her second WNBA season.
Caitlin Clark
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Backs Napheesa Collier in Fight With WNBA

Clark had her exit interview on Thursday after an injury-riddled season. 
Kuminga
October 1, 2025

With Kuminga Deal, Steve Kerr Now Warriors’ Biggest Looming Free Agent

Kuminga finally agreed to a new deal with the Warriors on Tuesday.