The 2025 French Open is rewriting the rules of stadium style. Roland Garros has always possessed a certain charm, but this year, the aesthetic tension has reached unprecedented levels. Paris is witnessing a massive, highly visual vibe shift. On one side of the net, players are using the iconic red clay as their personal couture runway, embracing pure theatricality. On the other, the VIP stands have become a masterclass in quiet luxury and off-duty rebellion. Here is a breakdown of the style moments that are dominating the conversation.
Haute Court-ure Takes Over
The days of basic white polos and simple pleated skirts are officially over. Narrative-driven fashion has taken center stage. Naomi Osaka dropped jaws when she stepped onto the court. She orchestrated a full runway reveal, arriving in a breathtaking custom black corset and a shimmering pleated maxi skirt by upcycling genius Kevin Germanier. The look was Met Gala-ready. But then came the transformation. She shed the gown-like overlay to reveal a taupe, upcycled Nike tennis dress featuring glittering straps that caught the Parisian sun beautifully. Osaka mentioned the straps were a deliberate nod to the Eiffel Tower itself.
Novak Djokovic also made a statement. Lacoste's creative director Pelagia Kolotouros gave him a custom jacket with a massive, striking wolf graphic on the back. The design was crafted from actual Roland Garros clay using a highly specialized technique. It was a brilliant merger of brand heritage and the tournament's physical environment. Aryna Sabalenka took a different approach. Nike dressed her in a fierce red-and-black layered minidress, but her personal styling stole the show. She casually paired her athletic kit with layers of serious high jewelry from Material Good. Serving aces while dripping in luxury is the ultimate court flex.
The Stealth Wealth Masterclass
While players went big, spectators dialed it back to pure stealth wealth. The generational wealth aesthetic is pivoting away from stiff, predictable tailoring toward relaxed, elevated silhouettes. Venus Williams, spotted strolling through Paris after a Schiaparelli shopping run, bypassed the expected tenniscore trend. Instead, she championed the breakout trend for Fall 2025: the split-hem jean. She paired mid-wash denim with chunky black loafers, a ribbed mock-neck top, and a casually draped two-tone shawl. The look epitomized French-girl nonchalance, appearing impossibly expensive without a single glaring logo.
The Y2K Subversion
If Venus represented quiet luxury, Salma Hayek brought noise with the ultimate anti-tenniscore statement. Showing up to watch the men's singles, Hayek discarded the preppy, pastel playbook. She opted for oversized black leather Bermuda shorts at a daytime tennis match. She paired the edgy bottoms with a sleek, fitted Gucci halter top. Accessorizing with a cherry-red Bottega Veneta woven bag and a classic black newsboy cap, she delivered a nostalgic, slightly gritty Y2K moment. The look proved Bermuda shorts can be wildly polished without looking remotely corporate.
This year, the French Open is not just about who takes home the trophy. Whether it is literal clay woven into a jacket or split-hem denim in the stands, the fashion game in Paris is set, match, and totally unplayable.
