Caitlyn Jenner was a goddess at ESPYs, but others made fashion statements too
TV personalities Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner arrive at the 2015 ESPYS at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday.
On the red carpet at the ESPY awards Wednesday night in Los Angeles, the question wasn’t “What are you wearing?” but “What is your workout?”
This was an event celebrating physical achievement over physical appearance, after all. But with so much symbiosis between the words of fashion and sports these days (for instance, several NBA players attended shows at the inaugural New York men’s fashion week, traveling directly to LA for the ESPYS on Wednesday), maybe it was a missed opportunity.
Still, there was plenty of fashion that could have been discussed. For women, much of it was short, skin tight or leg-baring.
One exception was Caitlyn Jenner, draped in a white Atelier Versace gown like a goddess, delivering her message of transgender tolerance from a mighty platform.
Daughters Kendall and Kylie Jenner lent their support from the sidelines, Kendall in a matte-and-sheer black Alexandre Vauthier gown and Kylie in a glittering gold trophy of a style by Lebanese designer Shady Zeineldine.
Ciara was another MVP in a black and wine ombre Elie Saab gown, her belt color coordinated with beau Russell Wilson’s wine Calvin Klein jacket.
Furthering the goddess theme, Ali Kreiger, defender on the world champion U.S. soccer team, wore a hand draped ombre chiffon gown by Prabal Gurung, and skier Lindsay Vonn revealed a whole lotta toned leg in a red-hot number. Also in red: presenter Rachel McAdams, in a smoldering scarlet tuxedo by Cristiano Burani with Christian Louboutin heels.
Elsewhere, sparkly, short and body con were the rules. Presenter Britney Spears looked like she wandered off her Vegas stage in a fringey Davidson Zanine dress. I preferred snowboarder Amy Purdy’s sparkly sheer-and-sequin sheath.
But my favorite look of the night may have been paracyclist Greta Neimanas wearing neon yellow Nikes with her little black dress. The sport-meets-chic combo spoke to fashion’s current love affair with sneakers. Why didn’t more female athletes wear them? There were so many on the runways for spring 2015. Alexander Wang’s sneaker-themed collection comes to mind.
On the men’s side, there was more self-expression. The Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. lit up the room in a flame red jacket with black contrast lapels, gleaming gold chain necklaces and scarlet slippers. New Miami Heat star Justise Winslow looked sharp in a navy tux. Houston Texans football player J.J. Watt dressed for a summer’s eve in white pants, a blue jacket, pink tie and matching pocket square.
Meanwhile, Peyton Manning’s red check jacket was more golf than football, and LeBron James’ plush velvet jacket looked a bit warm for a balmy July night. Then again, what was the evening about if not breaking a sweat?
Follow me on Twitter @Booth1
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