The Best Looks From The 2026 ESPYS Red Carpet
Our take
The ESPYs red carpet, traditionally a space for athletic prowess and celebratory fanfare, is increasingly becoming a noteworthy arena for style. The 2026 iteration, spotlighting looks from athletes like Alysa Liu, Lindsey Vonn, and Eileen Gu, reinforces this shift. What began as a relatively casual affair alongside the awards ceremony has evolved into a platform where athletes consciously curate their personal brand and aesthetic, a trend we’ve been observing with increasing interest. This year’s emphasis on bolder choices, while still maintaining a sense of athleticism and grace, speaks to a broader cultural understanding of sports figures as multifaceted individuals with distinct style identities. It’s fascinating to see how this intersects with, and is influenced by, broader fashion trends – much like Lupita Nyong'o’s recent tour wardrobe, which cleverly incorporated The Easter Eggs Hidden in Lupita Nyong'o's 'Odyssey' Tour Wardrobe, demonstrating a considered approach to visual storytelling. The deliberate nature of these choices suggests a growing awareness of the power of image in the digital age.
The rise of athlete-as-influencer is undeniable, and the ESPYs red carpet provides a concentrated display of this phenomenon. It's no longer enough to simply excel in one’s sport; athletes are building brands, cultivating personal narratives, and using fashion as a key tool in that process. The New York Knicks’ team members, highlighted in the event coverage, exemplify this, conveying a sense of collective strength and style. This echoes the broader movement towards curated individuality within the luxury space, where effortless cool and understated elegance are prized. Consider, for example, the recent collaboration between Hailey Bieber and Gap – Hailey Bieber Designed Her Version of the Perfect $90 Gap Jeans, and Fashion People Can't Wait to Wear Them. Bieber’s impact on accessible style underscores the blending of high and low, a sensibility that increasingly informs red carpet aesthetics as well. The current trend away from overtly flashy displays, towards more nuanced and personal interpretations of luxury, is perfectly reflected in the calculated yet understated elegance seen on the ESPYs carpet.
What’s particularly compelling is the way athletes are leveraging the red carpet to communicate their personal values and identities. It's not simply about what they wear, but *how* they wear it, and the narrative they are conveying. The confidence and self-assuredness radiating from individuals like Simone Biles, as noted in The Best 2026 ESPY Awards Red Carpet Looks Prove the Summer of Sports Is So Stylish, speaks to a generation of athletes who are comfortable owning their stories and using fashion as a form of self-expression. This resonates deeply with a consumer base increasingly seeking authenticity and relatability. The subtle power of a well-chosen silhouette, the quiet confidence exuded by a restrained color palette – these are the hallmarks of a sophisticated approach to style that transcends fleeting trends. It moves beyond mere display and becomes an extension of the individual's inner world.
Ultimately, the evolution of the ESPYs red carpet signals a broader cultural shift. The lines between sport, fashion, and personal branding are increasingly blurred, creating a fertile ground for innovative self-expression. As athletes continue to embrace their roles as style arbiters, it will be fascinating to observe how their choices influence broader fashion trends and how brands adapt to cater to this evolving landscape. Will we see more collaborations between athletic brands and luxury houses? Will the red carpet become an even more significant platform for athletes to showcase their personal style and values? The stage is set for a continued elevation of style within the world of sports, and it promises to be a captivating evolution to witness.
Last night, the ESPYs returned to honor the top stars and sports moments of the year. Of course, athletes of all practices attended, bringing plenty of bold looks to the red carpet for the occasion. It was fitting, as the night was filled with celebration — especially for the New York Knicks, whose team members took home five trophies, including Best Team.
Athletes and their supporters love an eye-catching look, and plenty were seen at the ceremony. Stars like Jordyn Woods, Lindsey Vonn, and Ayesha Curry all embraced sparkle from head to toe with elements like bejeweled trims and embellishments, while Eileen Gu and Simone Biles made the case for formal glamour with plenty of diamonds in tow.
Strapless and corseted silhouettes proved the most popular at the event, as seen on Kate Upton, Chloe Kim, Sunisa Lee, and more. Of course, the ESPYs always have room for a daring moment as well — like Alysa Liu’s backless Louis Vuitton dress, which showcased the punky star’s swirling lower back tattoo. Below, discover all of the shiny, sparkly, and dynamic looks from this year’s ESPY Awards.
Jordyn Woods & Karl-Anthony Towns
At the ceremony, Jordyn Woods sparkled in a gold Oscar de la Renta dress covered in strands of crystals with fiancé Karl-Anthony Towns. A yellow and white diamond Boucheron necklace and matching studs, plus a set of shiny gold sandals, glamorously finished her outfit. Her look could also be seen as she cheered on Towns, who wore a custom black Gucci suit, when the Knicks won the night’s Best Team award.
Alysa Liu
In her signature edgy style, Liu arrived in a brown Louis Vuitton halter dress with a gothic cross pendant necklace that swung down her back. The Olympic skater’s look, completed by her signature striped locks in a gathered ponytail and curtain bangs, was also seen onstage as she accepted the Best Breakthrough Athlete trophy.
Kate Upton
Always one for a supermodel-worthy look, Upton wore a blue Schiaparelli dress covered in crocodile embossments. She paired the strapless Fall 2025 piece with strappy gold sandals and a slick updo while accompanying husband Justin Verlander on the red carpet.
OG Anunoby
The Best Play and Best Team winner made a sharp statement in a dark brown Burberry suit. Anunoby’s double-breasted style was covered in classic pinstripes, which the Knicks star contrasted with a clean pair of white leather sneakers.
Eileen Gu
The Olympic skier continued her winning style streak in a metallic one-shouldered gown. The pale gold Guo Pei couture style was further detailed with allover pleats, a thin keyhole cutout, and three-dimensional flower accents, which Gu paired with a diamond necklace, layered rings, and a gold watch.
Simone Biles
Biles made a statement at the ESPYs in a champagne satin gown. The corseted piece and its dramatic high-low train perfectly matched her stiletto-heeled sandals, which the Olympic gymnast wore with a mix of diamond jewelry — including an eye-catching yellow and white diamond necklace.
Lindsey Vonn
Vonn sparkled on the red carpet in a Gucci dress covered in gunmetal sequins. The one-sleeved style, hailing from Demna’s “Generation Gucci” Pre-Fall 2026 collection, was further elevated with diamond drop earrings.
Jalen Brunson and Ali Brunson
The Knicks’ point guard and shooting guard was dapperly dressed for the ESPYs in a classic black double-breasted suit with patent leather boots. A crisp bowtie and citrine Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock brooch — the same high jewelry style virally worn this year by Connor Storrie — were elegant finishing touches for Brunson. Accompanied by wife Ali Brunson, the star took home the ceremony’s Best NBA Player, Best Athlete - Men’s Sports, and Best Championship Performance trophies — plus the Knicks’ Best Team honor.
Sunisa Lee
The well-dressed Olympic gymnast gleamed on the red carpet in a shimmering red dress. She paired the strapless piece with a diamond necklace and stud earrings.
Ayesha Curry
Curry hit the red carpet in a sheer black Christian Siriano dress cinched by a crystal-trimmed corset. Matching sparkly boning details across the piece made a glitzy statement as the Sweet July founder supported husband Stephen Curry, who accepted the evening’s Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award for his work with the Eat. Learn. Play. foundation.
Allyson Felix
The track and field star embraced tonal hues in an olive minidress covered in floral sequins. Black platform sandals and shiny gold Alexis Bittar jewelry brought a modern finish to her look.
Chloe Kim
At the ESPYS, Kim shone in a red silk dress with a corseted bodice and draped waist sash. The Olympic snowboarder’s paired the piece with a thin collar necklace, rings, and small hoop earrings, all covered in diamonds.
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