Serena Williams remains unapologetic about her fashion choices. Despite receiving recognition as a Fashion Icon at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards and earning praise for her bold on-court attire, including the controversial catsuits she wears while playing tennis, Williams isn’t always hailed as a style icon – and she doesn’t mind.

In an interview with People for the magazine’s 50th Anniversary Issue, Williams expressed her perspective on being included on ‘worst dressed’ lists. “Listen, I think being on worst dressed lists is important,” she said. “I’ve loved every style that I’ve made, and, you know, you don’t always love them looking back, but I appreciate them.” Williams emphasized that fashion serves as a means of self-expression, allowing individuals to showcase their personality and identity.

She views being on such lists, whether best or worst dressed, as a part of the fashion journey. “Hey, at least I made a list,” she remarked. “I’ve had lots of different looks, but you know what, you can’t take any of it back. I’m leaning into all of them.”

At the 2023 CFDA Awards, Williams — who had just given birth to her second child, daughter Adira, in August 2023 with husband Alexis Ohanian — graced the red carpet in a plunging black sequin gown by Thom Browne, which she paired with a billowing cape.

More recently, at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March, Williams rocked a fitted black gown by Off-White, which featured red and white embroidery at the bodice and on her ballroom gloves.

Williams frequently opted for Off-White attire during her tennis matches, notably showcasing an Off-White x Nike tutu at the U.S. Open in August 2018. This ballerina-inspired dress, part of the brand’s “QUEEN” collection designed by the late Virgil Abloh, quickly became iconic. The choice to wear this unconventional outfit came shortly after Williams faced criticism for donning a black Nike catsuit at the French Open just days earlier.

The French Tennis Federation objected to the catsuit, implementing a new dress code rule that banned it. However, Williams had chosen the catsuit for health reasons; it served as a full-body compression garment designed to alleviate her struggles with blood clots, a condition she has battled for years, particularly intensifying after giving birth to her daughter, Olympia, in September 2017.