The 2025 US Open is rewriting its own playbook. A Sunday start (Aug 24) to a Sunday finish (Sep 7), fifteen days of singles, and a record US $90 million purse. With the main draw now stretching deep into late summer nights, the event has never felt more like a festival, one part tennis, one part city street party.
Night matches are the heart of this year’s Open, drawing bigger crowds and longer sits in the lingering New York heat. This is dressing for three acts. The slow build of a day match, the floodlit drama of evening play, and the post-match dinner you didn’t book but end up at anyway.
The New “tenniscore”
Gone are the days of all-white everything. The modern court-side palette leans toward neutrals: ivory, ecru, soft grey, with a single pop of color, ideally in a shade that feels alive under stadium lights. Think chartreuse scarf against an ivory knit tank, or a cap in saturated coral.
Winning combinations:
Tennis-core reboot: A collared polo with a pleated skirt, layered under a linen overk-shirt. Lightweight knits nod to tradition while breathing in the heat.
Varsity after dark: A cropped varsity sweater thrown over a silky midi dress for when the breeze rolls in. Keep a mini-bag stocked with sunscreen, a portable fan, and a phone battery, you’ll use all three.
Technical but tailored: Mesh polos with high-waist trousers in cotton or linen. Sneakers with gum soles handle steep stadium steps and still look polished at dinner.
One-piece ease: A bold jumpsuit or crisp shirt-dress in nautical stripes. Linen shorts with a blazer and crop top work for day matches in full sun.
Style cues from the players
This year’s player kits carry runway ambition. Coco Gauff’s New Balance x Miu Miu line delivers razor-sharp pleats and cropped tops; Nike’s Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz kits play in saturated brights and salmon tones. The key? Echo the silhouette, not the logo, a statement cap or windbreaker pulls the energy without going full uniform.
Practical glam
Breathability: Linen, mesh, and cotton fabrics adapt to New York’s day-to-night temperature swings.
Versatility: Midi dresses, shirt-dresses, and jumpsuits take you from Arthur Ashe to a late-night table for two.
Intentional accents: One pop of color: cap, scarf, or jumper, says you came for the tennis, stayed for the city.
And don’t forget the survival kit. A UV-protective shawl, blister patches, earplugs for Ashe’s night roar, and a raffia tote to hold it all.
Because the US Open isn’t just a tournament, it’s a style marathon with stadium stairs.
Loved this? There’s more brewing every week. ☕