What to Wear to the US Open, Where New Yorkers Go to See and Be Seen

Between the Knicks' championship win and the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, New York has been having quite the sporty summer. But things are about to get kicked up yet another notch next month as the US Open returns to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens from August 24 to September 13.For the past 48 years and counting, tennis fans have flocked to Flushing to see the sport's best duke it out on the courts for the final Grand Slam of the year, turning into real-life bobbleheads while spectating in the stands, Honey Deuce cocktails in sweaty palms. Over the years, the tournament has become the late-summer spot to see and be seen, with fashionable New Yorkers and competition-hungry celebrities (Taylor Swift! Bruce Springsteen!) showing up in droves and selling out seats and suites at Arthur Ashe Stadium. This year is set to be no different, and as someone who has attended the tournament every year since 2017 and seen just how electric the energy can be, I truly cannot wait.If, like me, you're planning on attending the US Open this year, you should know there's a bit of an unofficial dress code. Put simply, people tend to show up in their tennis best while still dressing for the heat and humidity that's been known to accompany an August in NYC. As a nearly 10-year tournament veteran, I do feel like I've cracked the wardrobe code, so I'm sharing my tips and tricks for acing your outfit and staying cool below. Read on for what to wear to the US Open.Elevated athleisureBreezy tops and bottomsFlowy dressesEvening layersMatching setsComfortable footwearOn-theme accessoriesStadium-approved bagsTools to keep coolFrequently asked questionsElevated athleisureAthletic wear is more than acceptable at the US Open—just try to stick to pieces that look as appropriate on the street as they do at the gym. Athleisure made for tennis is always a good bet here, like pleated skirts, workout dresses, and sweat-wicking tees in flattering cuts. Brands like Lululemon, Wilson, Athleta, and Alo are great places to look for all of the above.HalaraRound Neck sleeveless dressBeyond YogaYou're A Force dressBeyond YogaSport Active drawcord mini skirtLululemonQuick-Dry sleeveless polo shirtAloMatch Point tennis skirtBreezy tops and bottomsLate summer in New York is hot—like, might hit the 90s midday, hot. With that in mind, you’re going to want to keep things easy and breezy when it comes to tops and bottoms. Opt for breathable materials like linen and cotton, and styles that allow for maximum airflow, like wide-leg pants, loose-fitting tanks, and billowy skirts.OfeefanEyelet embroidery tank topAthletaRetreat linen pantQuinceGauze smocked maxi skirtFlowy dressesAiry summer dresses are perfect for watching tennis for a few reasons: You can catch a breeze under your skirt, you aren’t constricted by any fabric, your bare legs never have to touch a hot seat, and you’ll look super chic no matter the time of day. Solid colors and simple patterns are always classic, and blues, blacks, whites, and greens fit the sophisticated tennis vibe.QuinceSleeveless maxi dressLulusTandria navy smocked sleeveless midi dressOld NavyPintuck-Waist midi shirt dressAbercrombieEmbroidered high-neck mini dressEvening layersWhile the days are often hot, the temperature can drop at night. If you’re an “I’m always cold!” type, you might want to consider bringing along a lightweight layer to throw on if things get cool, whether that be a windbreaker you can fold up and throw in your bag or a cashmere cardigan or cotton button-down you can tie across your chest or around your waist.Ralph LaurenThe Spelman college polo bear sweaterWilsonZip-Front club sweaterLululemonCourt Rival tennis jacketJ.CrewFeatherweight cardiganMatching setsThe US Open tends to pull a discerning audience—and is there anything more refined than a matching set? You’ll always look put together with one of the two-piece ensembles you see below, which include matching tops, skirts, shorts, and more in sophisticated colorways. The best part: You can mix and match most to create endless outfits. Probably means you should attend more than one day of the tournament, right?PrettygardenSleeveless V-neck & shorts setAmanda UprichardMonique setTuckernuckJardin Stripe Whipstitch setQuinceLinen vest and pantsComfortable footwearWhether you subway or Uber to the stadium, you will be walking…a lot. Trust me, now is not the time to be wearing those kitten heels or yet-to-be-broken-in flats, no matter how cute they may be. Prioritize comfortable footwear that you know will keep your feet happy no matter how many miles you put on them, whether that be sandals or sneakers. The kicks below are some of my personal favorites for long days on your toes.OnThe Roger Advantage sneakerVionicAlameda woven mary jane flatKate SpadeHarmony ankle strap sandalOn-theme accessoriesAre these adorable accoutrements really necessary? No, they’re not. But you’ll certainly never regret donning a tennis-inspired key fob, coin purse, or jewelry piece to one of the biggest tennis tournaments on the planet. I, for one, love a theme, and am absolutely obsessed with these accessories.Mini MomoTennis key chain pouchKinn StudioTennis Club ball and racquet necklace pearlGorjanaVarsity parker charmBottega VenetaTennis ball charmStadium-approved bagsThere’s nothing worse than getting to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and being forced to check your bag in one of the lockers at the entrance because it doesn’t meet the size requirements. For the US Open, the policy is that bags must not be larger than 12 inches in wide, 12 inches in height, and 16 inches in length. Keep this in mind when selecting your own carry-all—or just pick up one of the ones below, which fit the requirements and look good doing it.Free PeopleSoho convertible sling bagLisi LerchEmory double tennis racket bagInk + AlloyLeila tennis seed bead clutch with strapTools to keep coolI can't overemphasize how warm it can get at the US Open—especially during day matches—and shade can be a rare commodity inside the stadiums. Beat the heat with the fans, hats, sunglasses, and misting water bottles below so you don’t have to waste a precious second of game time chasing the shade.QallyPolarized sunglassesSharkChillPill 3-in-1 cooling systemCUPUOOU2-in-1 Mist & Sip water bottleJ.CrewWide-brim raffia bucket hatFAQ:When is the 2026 US Open?The 2026 US Open Tennis Tournament is taking place from August 24 to September 13, 2026, at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens. The event schedule can be found on the US Open website.How do I get tickets to the US Open?Don't have your tickets quite yet? No sweat, there are still plenty available on the official Ticketmaster website as well as resale platforms like Stubhub, Vivid Seats, and Gametime. If there's a match you're super keen on attending, don't wait to reserve your seat—they do often sell out, especially when popular players are hitting the court.This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.