Undefeated team, iconic fits: Dawn Staley's notable looks during the 2023-24 season
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Anthony Gharib, ESPN
The No.1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks have dominated opponents en route to an undefeated record — and coach Dawn Staley has dazzled on the sideline with stylish looks.
Designer brands are the go-to for Staley, who has worn Gucci and Louis Vuitton in multiple games.
That trend continued Sunday against the No. 1 Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA women’s national championship game when “Louis Vuitton Dawn” sported a silver calfskin jacket that retails for over $5,000.
They don’t call her ‘Louis Vuitton’ Dawn for nothin’ 🔥 @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/bFfGmqo6AQ
— espnW (@espnW) April 7, 2024
She has also used her outfits to send messages, like when her shirt read, “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” in December.
Here’s a look at some of Staley’s notable outfits this season.
Game result: 70-58 win
Gucci has been a favorite brand for Staley. She wore a black quarter zip with black pants as the Gamecocks defeated the Beavers behind 15 points from Tessa Johnson.
The win gave South Carolina its fourth straight Final Four appearance, becoming the third program in SEC history to make four straight trips, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
March 29: Sweet 16 vs. No. 4 seed Indiana Hoosiers
Game result: 79-75 win
Staley rocked a Louis Vuitton leather and cotton damier blouson jacket against Indiana. The pixelated blue-tone jacket also included a zipped pocket with an embroidered “Marque L. Vuitton” logo.
The Gamecocks held on for the win after the Hoosiers cut South Carolina’s lead to two with 68 seconds remaining in the game.
Game result: 88-41 win
Staley went with Louis Vuitton as South Carolina handled North Carolina, this time wearing a cropped hoodie made of wool and silk.
Game result: 91-39 win
The opening round of March Madness came with another Gucci look. Staley kept it simple, wearing a white zip-up sweatshirt as South Carolina cruised.
Game result: 74-73 win
The Lady Volunteers nearly handed the Gamecocks their first loss, but South Carolina hung on. Staley wore a fit that included a knitted Gucci cardigan.
March 3: vs. Tennessee Lady Volunteers
Game result: 76-68 win
On senior day, Staley paid homage to the players who were being honored with a special T-shirt.
It included the images of her three seniors — Kamilla Cardoso, Te-Hina Paopao and Sakima Walker — who combined for 32 points in the win. Cardoso recorded an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double, her 13th of the season.
Feb. 15: vs. Tennessee Lady Volunteers
Game result: 66-55 win
Staley paid tribute to her “little sister” and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Nikki McCray-Penson, who died in July 2023. McCray-Penson won two Olympic gold medals as a player with Staley, and spent nine seasons as an assistant coach for her at South Carolina.
The coach wore a T-shirt that included McCray-Penson in their Team USA uniform.
Game result: 98-36 win
Born in Philadelphia, a game against Kentucky didn’t stop Staley from repping her Philadelphia Eagles, who were facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL wild-card round on the same day.
She wore a kelly green No. 7 jersey, catching the attention of Hall of Famer and former Buccaneers star Warren Sapp on X. Staley expressed loyalty in her response.
Sure can’t. Go birds for life! https://t.co/hRtqmvaC7R
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) January 16, 2024
Game result: 73-36 win
Staley has always been a major advocate for women’s sports. It was no different in December, when she wore a T-shirt that read, “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports.”
The shirt is designed by “TOGETHXR,” a brand founded by two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner Alex Morgan, Olympic snowboarding gold medalist Chloe Kim, four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird and Olympic swimming gold medalist Simone Manuel.
