Full Breakdown
Sparkling Style: Red-Carpet Fashion at the 2026 ESPY Awards
7/17/2026, 9:11:53 PM
Fashion Highlights on the Night’s Carpet
Athletes embraced sparkle from head to toe, with strapless and corseted silhouettes dominating the scene. Kate Upton wore a blue Schiaparelli dress embossed with crocodile-patterned fabric, while Simone Biles chose a champagne satin gown featuring a dramatic high-low train and diamond jewelry. Olympic skater Eileen Gu arrived in a pale-gold Guo Pei couture gown detailed with pleats, a keyhole cutout and three-dimensional flower accents, complemented by a diamond necklace and gold watch. Alysa Liu turned heads in a backless Louis Vuitton halter dress that displayed a swirling lower-back tattoo, and Jordyn Woods dazzled in a gold Oscar de la Renta dress encrusted with crystal strands.
Athlete Style Profiles
- Jordyn Woods paired her crystal-covered dress with a yellow-and-white Boucheron necklace and gold sandals while supporting fiancé Karl-Anthony Towns, who wore a custom black Gucci suit.
- Karl-Anthony Towns complemented the Knicks’ Best Team win in a sleek black suit.
- Jalen Brunson arrived in a classic black double-breasted suit with patent-leather boots, a crisp bowtie and a citrine Tiffany & Co. brooch.
- Alysa Liu added a gothic cross pendant necklace to her Louis Vuitton ensemble, underscoring her edgy aesthetic.
Statistical Highlights
The New York Knicks captured five ESPY trophies, including Best Team, Best Play and individual honors for Jalen Brunson (Best NBA Player, Best Athlete – Men’s Sports, Best Championship Performance).
Cultural Significance
The convergence of sport and high fashion at the ESPYs underscores how athletes leverage red-carpet appearances to extend personal branding, celebrate achievements, and influence style trends across both arenas.
Verbatim Quotes
- “At the ceremony, Jordyn Woods sparkled in a gold Oscar de la Renta dress covered in strands of crystals with fiancé Karl-Anthony Towns.” — The Zoe Report
- “Of course, the ESPYs always have room for a daring moment as well — like Alysa Liu’s backless Louis Vuitton dress, which showcased the punky star’s swirling lower back tattoo.” — The Zoe Report
- “Biles made a statement at the ESPYs in a champagne satin gown.” — The Zoe Report
- “Jalen Brunson and Ali Brunson The Knicks’ point guard and shooting guard was dapperly dressed for the ESPYs in a classic black double-breasted suit with patent leather boots.” — The Zoe Report
