Figuring out what to wear to the US Open comes down to one word: strategy. Somewhere between "beach day in Queens" and "birthday dinner in the West Village," you'll find the correct US Open outfit. It's one of the most photographed, most Instagrammed, most casually stylish sporting events in America.

Here's the full guide: what to wear, what not to wear, and how to look like you've done this before, even if you haven't.

What Should I Wear to the US Open? (Quick Answer)

The US Open has no official dress code. For day sessions, the classic uniform is a linen or lightweight cotton outfit, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, and a great hat for sun protection, think casual-elegant, similar to what you'd wear to a summer garden party. For evening sessions, lean slightly dressier with a light jacket or sweater for the cool-down. Whatever you wear, plan for a lot of walking, a lot of sun, and unpredictable weather that can swing from 90-degree humidity to a sudden thunderstorm.

That's the short version. The long version, including what actually works, what to skip, and how to build the outfit, is below.

The Weather Reality: Late-August New York

The US Open runs from August 23 through September 13, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens. That timing is important because it drives everything about what you should wear.

Late August and early September in New York City are:

• Hot. Daytime highs are typically 82–88°F, often higher on court where the sun reflects off the hard courts and stadium seats.
• Humid. New York humidity in late summer is famously oppressive. You will sweat.
• Unpredictable. Afternoon thunderstorms are common. September brings the first cooler evenings; day sessions can hit 88°F while night sessions drop into the mid-60s.
• Long-lasting. A typical US Open session runs 6–8 hours. You'll be in your outfit from lunch through last serve.

Dress for a full day outdoors in New York summer humidity, then a possible temperature drop of 15–20 degrees if you're staying for night matches.

Day Session Outfits: The Casual-Elegant Formula

The day session (11 a.m. start) is where US Open style really shines. Cameras are constantly cutting to the crowd. Every player's box gets photographed. This is the outfit that matters most.

The formula:

• Base layer: A breathable, natural-fiber piece. A linen midi dress, a cotton set, a lightweight blouse and shorts, or wide-leg linen pants with a tank.
• Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes: canvas sneakers (Superga, Tretorn, Vans, or Converse), leather sandals with a low heel, or dressy loafers. You will walk a lot: from the 7 train to the gates, between courts, up stadium stairs.
• Hat: Non-negotiable. A structured cap, a straw hat, or a wide-brim option depending on your look. The Honey Deuce Darling hat was designed exactly for this moment.
• Sunglasses: Big, functional, ideally polarized. The sun is brutal in the top rows of Ashe.
• Bag: Small crossbody or clear stadium bag (venue security checks all bags).

Colors that photograph well: cream, white, powder blue, pale pink, sage, tennis-club stripes. The stadium background is dark green and hard-court blue; light colors pop.

Colors that don't: anything with a busy logo or graphic that photographs distracting on TV.

Evening Session Outfits: Slightly More, Slightly Cooler

The night session (7 p.m. start) has different rules. The sun is down. The temperature drops. Arthur Ashe is under lights, and the crowd skews a little dressier: this is the celebrity session.

The formula:

• Base layer: A little more polished. A slip dress, a matching set, or elevated denim with a silk cami. Dark colors (navy, black, deep green, burgundy) read well under stadium lights.
• Layer: A denim jacket, a lightweight cashmere sweater, or a linen blazer. September evenings can drop to 60°F.
• Footwear: Still comfortable, but you can lean dressier. A block-heel sandal, ankle boots, or leather loafers.
• Hat: Still yes. Ashe is windy at night, and the crowd shots don't stop.
• Bag: Same rules: clear stadium bag or small crossbody.

Pro tip: If you're doing back-to-back day and night sessions, pack a rolled-up cardigan or scarf in your stadium bag. The temperature swing from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. can be significant.

US Open Outfits for Women: What Actually Works

Women make up the majority of US Open fashion coverage, for good reason. The open-air stadium setting, the summer light, and the cameras everywhere create an unusually strong environment for outfit expression. These are the formulas that photograph best and hold up through a full day in Queens.

Day session:

• A linen midi dress or linen co-ord set in cream, sage, or powder blue
• A lightweight cotton sundress with a structured hat and leather sandals
• Wide-leg linen trousers, a silk cami, and a woven crossbody
• A tennis-inspired pleated skirt with a fitted polo or tucked linen blouse

Evening session:

• A silk slip dress in ivory or navy with a denim jacket and block-heel sandals
• A matching set in a rich solid color (burgundy, forest green, deep navy) with real jewelry
• Tailored wide-leg pants and a polished top, the classic celeb-box move

Accessories that pull it together: oversized sunglasses, a hat that holds in wind, and a bag small enough to pass stadium security (12" x 12" x 16" maximum). The single most-photographed accessory at the US Open is the hat. Our Honey Deuce Darling collection was designed with this environment in mind: structured, lightweight, and built for a long day outdoors.

What NOT to Wear to the US Open

A few things to avoid, based on what you'll regret three hours in:

• Anything too tight or restrictive. You're sitting for hours in humidity.
• New shoes. Break them in first. There's a lot of walking from the subway.
• Sky-high heels. Even the celebrity boxes wear flats or block heels. Stiletto heels on stadium stairs is a bad idea.
• All-white match-play tennis clothes. Unless you're heading to a country club post-match, actual tennis whites read as "I came directly from a lesson." US Open style is fashion-tennis, not competition-tennis.
• Head-to-toe player merchandise. One piece of tournament gear is fine. Head-to-toe reads like you're at Disney World.
• Anything that can't handle a spilled cocktail. You will be handed a Honey Deuce. It will spill.

The Hat Question: Yes, You Need One

This is the single most important accessory decision you'll make.

Late-summer New York sun is intense, especially in the upper decks of Arthur Ashe Stadium where the sun beats down for hours before the roof shades roll out. A hat is functional (sun protection, sweat absorption) and stylistic (finishes the outfit, appears in every crowd shot).

Hat styles that work at the US Open:

• Structured baseball cap: the most flexible option. Reads sporty-preppy, easy to pack, easy to adjust. Our Honey Deuce Darling hat was designed specifically for this moment.
• Straw fedora or wide-brim straw hat: the most elegant option. Best for day sessions in premium seating.
• Bucket hat: the most fashion-forward option. Works especially well with matching sets and streetwear-influenced looks.
• Panama hat: the most timeless option. Slightly formal, always chic.
• Visor: the most functional option. Ideal for hot ground-pass wandering.

Avoid: floppy beach hats (block other fans' views), anything with heavy branding, and cowboy hats (unless you're committed).

Shoes: The Detail That Makes or Breaks the Day

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is a 46.5-acre complex. Between the walk from the 7 train, the walk between courts, the walk up to your seats, and the walk to concessions, you can easily hit 15,000+ steps in a single day session.

Best day-session shoes:

• Canvas sneakers (Superga 2750, Tretorn Nylite, Converse Chuck Taylor)
• White leather sneakers (Common Projects, Veja, Adidas Stan Smith)
• Espadrilles or leather flat sandals
• Loafers (Bass Weejuns, Sperry, Sam Edelman)

Best evening-session shoes:

• Block-heel sandals
• Leather ankle boots (if temperatures drop)
• Elevated white sneakers
• Ballet flats

Skip: stilettos, sandals with no support, brand-new-in-box anything.

The Player Box Aesthetic: Dressing Like You're on Camera

If you're in premium seating (a courtside box, a suite, or an American Express Fan Experience), the dress code lifts a notch. This is where celebrities sit, where the camera cuts to during the changeover, and where "US Open fashion" gets defined every year.

The Aesthetic:

• Anna Wintour, front row, in white and pearls: the templar of US Open box style
• Zendaya, past attendee, in tailored two-piece sets
• Serena Williams's own box: sharp, editorial, always fashion-forward
• Michael Strahan, LL Cool J, Justin Bieber: casual but expensive

The move: elevated versions of the day-session formula. Real designer bag, real jewelry, real haircut. Nothing precious, but nothing sloppy.

Rain Contingency: What to Do When Queens Storms

Late-summer thunderstorms happen. Arthur Ashe Stadium has a retractable roof (as does Louis Armstrong Stadium), so the marquee matches keep going. Outer courts pause.

What to have on hand:

• A packable rain jacket that fits in your bag
• A hat with a brim (yes, still): keeps rain off your face
• Waterproof or leather shoes (canvas sneakers stay wet all day)
• A backup plan for the outer courts: a good bar within walking distance is priceless

What to skip: umbrellas. Stadium security doesn't allow full-size umbrellas, and even at outer courts they block sightlines.

The Ground Pass Uniform vs. The Premium Seat Uniform

Not all US Open outfits are the same. Where you're sitting changes the assignment.

Ground pass: you're wandering between outer courts, standing in food lines, walking miles, sitting on stone bleachers. Dress for endurance. Cotton, canvas, breathable, comfortable. Prioritize function over polish.

Ashe or Armstrong lower bowl: you'll be seated most of the time, in view of cameras. Prioritize polish. Linen, silk, elevated fabrics.

Courtside box: you'll be on TV. Prioritize the front-of-house look. Real designer, real tailoring, real accessories.

US Open Gear and Apparel: What to Actually Pack

Beyond the outfit, a day at the US Open requires some thought about gear. The complex covers 46.5 acres, sessions run up to eight hours, and the weather swings significantly from morning to night. US Open apparel and gear choices are as much functional as fashionable.

The non-negotiable gear list:

• A hat: a structured cap, straw hat, or visor. Bring one from home; don't rely on the US Open shop at the venue for it (the lines are long and the selection goes fast)
• A packable layer: a denim jacket or a rolled-up cashmere sweater that fits in your stadium bag for the temperature drop after sunset
• Sunscreen: reapplication-friendly formulas in small containers pass security
• A stadium-compliant bag: 12" x 12" x 16" maximum; clear bags move through security faster
• Comfortable, broken-in shoes: 15,000-plus steps is normal for a ground-pass day
• A portable phone charger: the US Open app, scoring, and photography will drain a battery by noon

For the tennis fan who plays year-round, the Tennis Box covers the accessories and gear a regular player actually uses, a better gift than branded US Open merchandise for someone who is serious about the sport. Or browse all our sport surprise boxes if your person plays more than one sport.

Frequently Asked Questions About US Open Style

Is there a dress code at the US Open?
No. Unlike Wimbledon, which enforces a strict all-white tennis dress code for players and expects garden-party dress for the Royal Box, the US Open has no dress code for spectators. Anything from athleisure to cocktail attire is acceptable, though most fans land in the casual-elegant middle.

What do celebrities wear to the US Open?
Celebrities in the courtside boxes typically wear elevated versions of the classic US Open uniform: tailored sets, designer sneakers, real jewelry, and always a hat or sunglasses. Anna Wintour, Serena Williams, Zendaya, and Michael Strahan are among the most photographed regulars.

Can I wear tennis clothes to the US Open?
You can, but it depends. Fashion-tennis pieces (a tennis-inspired dress, a preppy polo, tennis-club stripes) read perfectly. Actual match-play tennis kit (a technical player dress, athletic shorts, a headband) reads out of place unless you literally came from playing.

What shoes should I wear to the US Open?
Comfortable ones you can walk 15,000+ steps in. The best options are broken-in canvas sneakers, leather loafers, or block-heel sandals. Skip stilettos, brand-new shoes, and anything with no support.

Is it cold at night sessions?
It can be. September evenings in Queens can drop from 88°F during the day to 62°F at night. Bring a light layer for any evening session: a denim jacket, cashmere sweater, or linen blazer.

What kind of hat should I wear to the US Open?
A structured baseball cap or straw hat is the standard. It needs to fit securely (there's wind), block sun (a lot of sun), and photograph well (you'll be on camera). Our Honey Deuce Darling hat was designed exactly for this event.

Can I bring a bag into the US Open?
Yes, but with restrictions. The USTA allows one bag per person, no larger than 12" x 12" x 16". Clear bags speed up security. Backpacks are permitted at Ashe but not always at other courts.

What should I wear if it rains?
A packable rain jacket, waterproof shoes or leather loafers, and a hat with a brim. Umbrellas are not permitted inside the tennis center.

The Bottom Line: Effortless-Looking Takes Effort

The best US Open outfits look thrown together. They're not. They're strategic: dressed for the weather, the walk, the camera, and the cocktail hour.

Start with the hat, build the outfit around it, plan for the temperature swing, and don't wear anything you can't spill a Honey Deuce on. That's the whole guide.

Shop the Honey Deuce Darling hat, VolleyBird's limited US Open drop. Or explore The Darling Collection for the full hat series. New to the tournament? Read What Is a Honey Deuce? for the story of tennis's most iconic cocktail.