5 athletes whose fashion game is worth making note of

These five sportspersons exude spunk not just on the field but off it too

Gone are the days when people only cared about the performance of their favourite athlete on the field. In the age of social media, most people follow the sportsperson they idolise not just because of how good they are at their game, but also to get an insight into their personality, their lives and, of course, their sense of style. While these players are acing it physically and professionally, they are also getting it on point when it comes to fashion. We list five athletes from across the world who are not just an inspiration but are style icons too. Their ways of training and the lifestyle they lead might be tough to replicate in real life, but here’s how you can recreate their style with absolute ease.

Lewis Hamilton: Formula 1 driver

The British racing driver, who has won a record of seven world championship titles, is a risk taker, not just on the racing track but even off it, especially when it comes to dressing up. In between breaking records and winning accolades, Lewis Hamilton has been building his street cred with a sense of style that is not for the faint-hearted. If Hamilton is your style icon then don’t be afraid to infuse a dose of dopamine into your dressing and add that breath of fresh air with bold prints and colours. As Hamilton shows, co-ord sets can lend flamboyance—think printed sets (he was dressed in the Kenzo Fall 2022 collection at the Spanish Grand Prix) to a bright pop of colour (wearing head-to-toe pink Valentino at the Miami Grand Prix). As far as designers go, Hamilton makes sure to use his platform to promote and support both established and emerging talent, from British-Indian-Nigerian designer Priya Ahluwalia to London-based knitwear label AGR, both of whom he has been spotted wearing on numerous occasions. Additionally, make sure your accessory game is on point; have fun with bucket hats, invest in a few good pairs of sunglasses (he’s often spotted wearing his collaboration with Police Lifestyle) and don’t shy away from bling.

Serena Williams: Tennis player

Retiring this year after the 2022 US Open, the feistiness of Serena Williams goes beyond the tennis court. As one of the greatest athletes of all times, the tennis star has created a buzz with her on-court outfits (controversial, many a times) as well her off-the-court ones. From literally suiting up for Wimbledon in 2013 (she wore a classic white dress with a matching blazer over it–by Nike) to wearing a Gucci bodysuit with a feather cape at the 2021 MET Gala, Williams is no stranger to playing with fashion. To match her athletic prowess, team up your tank tops with bicycle shorts or mini-skirts–the shorter the sexier, as Williams is never shy of showing off her toned legs. Speaking of showing off, the icon is often seen wearing bodycon dresses on her Instagram pictures, accentuating her hourglass figure. Colours that pop–think blue, pink and orange–are often part of her closet, along with the handy blacks and whites in place. For a night out, don’t be afraid to go big with bling, like Williams does.

Hardik Pandya: Cricketer

Inspired by rap culture, Hardik Pandya’s Instagram account is a window into his sassy style that is hard to miss. From Gucci to Versace, the Indian cricketer can give Ranveer Singh a run for his money when it comes to designer fits. To dress up like this Mumbai Indians’ player is to wear printed cotton or satin shirts with a pair of shorts. Pile on a bunch of gold chains around your neck and it’ll be hard to not be the centre of everyone’s attention. Whether it’s a simple suit or a plain T-shirt, what also makes Pandya’s style over-the-top yet so well put together is the attitude and confidence that he carries it off with. In one of his Instagram posts, he is spotted wearing white linen pants with a black-and-white printed shirt along with a hoard of accessories, in true Pandya style—earrings, neck chains, bracelets, rings and even sunglasses. This would make for an ideal day-time outfit while out with your friends.

Mohamed Salah: Footballer

Move over David Beckham, there’s a new style icon in football who’s here to take the claim of the most stylish footballer. Mohamed Salah is most certainly a star on the field; off the field, the Egyptian footballer prefers to be low-key when it comes to his style. While the Liverpool player may be spotted in some of the most casual fits–all easy to pull off–the labels and logos behind these range from Balenciaga to Off-White. Salah’s style is simple to replicate, by adding elevated basics into your wardrobe. However, this does not mean that the footballer isn’t up for experimentation. One scroll through his Instagram account and you’ll find a picture of him pulling off a cream double-breasted suit with much aplomb. Apart from looking sharp in tailored suits, he also wears ripped denims and leather bomber jackets on rotation. Neither showy nor brash, if you wish to take style notes from Salah’s sartorial choices, it’s all about investing in the basics that borderline on an athleisure-meets-chic philosophy.

LeBron James: Basketball player

The king of NBA comes with a swag of his own, leaning towards athleisure while striking a balance between casual and formal pieces. The 37-year-old basketball legend is impressive not just on the court but off it too. By combining sharp silhouettes with some of the coolest kicks, James LeBron effortlessly dribbles between formals and smart casuals. One of his most striking style highlights this year has been the shorts-suit by Thom Browne which set the Internet of fire. While everyone may not be able to pull off a shorts-suit, to experiment, we’d advise you to try it out at a less formal event than your investor meeting, like a brunch or a mehendi party. A pair of linen short-suits in neutral colours double as separates too. The ‘king’ is often spotted wearing tailored cropped pants with T-shirts and jackets, in neutral shades that can be paired with most essentials. But the star of the show, on-court and off it, is his collection of shoes. From the yellow Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier 11 he wore in 2017 to the black Kith x Nike Lebron 15 Lifestyle shoes, if you want to dunk like the legend, you’ve got to have your shoe game on point.

Also Read: How can your clothes reflect your distinct personal style?

Also Read: Menswear for women is more than just a trend

Also Read: Why mixing prints can elevate menswear by several notches