The season is back, and the tunnel wasted absolutely no time reminding us why we watch it this closely.
Opening weekend gave us intention, range, risk, and at least one fit that’s going to live on mood boards for a while. From polished tailoring to sheer statement pieces and downtown layering, Week 1 already feels like the league understands the moment.
Best Dressed — Bec Allen
She stepped out in an Ena Pelly jacket layered over Jasmine Alexa shorts, balancing structure and ease in a way that felt effortless but clearly intentional. The proportions carried the whole look — broad through the shoulders, relaxed through the frame, legs fully out. Stuart Weitzman knee-high stiletto boots sharpened everything underneath, while the Noesi bag kept the styling clean and controlled without fading into the background.
And with the NY Liberty backdrop behind her, the whole thing felt cinematic. Like Bec Allen understood exactly what opening night called for.
Best Dressed — Olivia Nelson-Ododa
If Bec Allen’s fit was sharp and considered, Olivia Nelson-Ododa’s was something closer to fearless. She came through in a sheer nude halter midi from Courrèges — corseted boning down the bodice, asymmetric hem, the kind of dress that has a point of view before you even put it on. Tory Burch and Versace filled in the rest, and she kept the accessories deliberate enough to let the dress breathe without disappearing into it.
This is what high-fashion dressing looks like on an athlete who’s thought about it.
Sleeper Pick — Courtney Williams
Courtney Williams showed up as herself — great fit, big energy, and zero interest in overcomplicating it. The cropped camel suede moto jacket from Coach gave the look structure up top, worn with coordinating white flat shoes that kept everything grounded without feeling overworked. But the real centerpiece was the pair of Acne Studios wide-leg patchwork jeans, doing all the heavy lifting from the waist down with volume, texture, and just enough chaos to keep the fit interesting.
Then came the detail that pulled everything together: the fur charm swinging off the belt loop. The kind of styling choice you either notice or you don’t, and if you do, you immediately understand what she was going for. Courtney finished the look with layered silver chains and sunglasses on indoors like only she can. This is a fit built for people who actually pay attention, which makes it exactly the kind of fit we’re here for.
Honorable Mentions
A’ja Wilson walked into ring night in all-gold sequins, and if that sounds familiar, it should — she came off one of the most talked-about Met Gala moments of the year in a sweeping gold look that stopped the internet cold. She didn’t abandon the color. She doubled down on it. A champagne sequin halter midi, sleek and long, worn like she’d already decided how the night was going to go. Championship energy, Met Gala memory, ring night execution. A’ja Wilson is building a fashion identity right in front of us, and the fact that she’s staying in her color while the whole league watches says everything about where her head is.
Kierstan Bell arrived in a sharp burgundy suit — fitted trousers, single-button jacket, white shirt, tie sitting just right. It’s formal but it swings. The tunnel doesn’t always reward that kind of restraint, but when it’s done this well it’s impossible to ignore.
Hailey Van Lith told a whole story before she said a word. An “I HATE NEW YORK” graphic tee underneath a cropped faux fur coat, baggy distressed denim, white heels, and her Bottga bag finishing it off. Is it ironic? Is it sincere? That tension is exactly what makes it work. Hailey Van Lith walked in dressed like she already owns the conversation — and honestly, she kind of does.
The Takeaway
If Week 1 proved anything, it’s that the tunnel is picking up right where it left off.
What stood out most wasn’t one dominant look, but the range. Bec Allen and Olivia Nelson-Ododa both landed in Best Dressed conversations while approaching style from completely different directions. Courtney Williams took a full Coach look and made it feel personal instead of branded. A’ja Wilson continues to play a longer game with fashion than people give her credit for. And somewhere between Kierstan Bell pulling up in a burgundy suit and Hailey Van Lith throwing a fur coat over a graphic tee, it became obvious that nobody in this league is dressing from the same playbook anymore.
That’s what makes the tunnel worth watching. We’ll be back next week.
Tunnel Fits Podcast — covering the style, sneakers, and culture of women’s basketball. New episodes weekly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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