The WAG Takeover: Inside The Style Evolution Of Sports' Most Talked-About Women
The WAGs have had quite the ride. From curiosity specimen to public enemy #1, and back again, the public is finally ready to admit that the wives and girlfriends of professional athletes are totally captivating.
WAGs (wives and girlfriends of professional athletes) have got it all: beauty, fame, wealth, and a penchant for the spotlight. The consummate influencer, WAGs took all the content creator genres and rolled them into one: travel, fashion, pop culture (athletes are no doubt pop culture titans), and high-net-worth living. Often traveling to exotic locales and staying in the best hotels for games/matches/races, WAGs have the high life locked in, and the public loves the spectacle.
But the wives and girlfriends of professional athletes haven’t always had it so good. The internet’s first “WAG,” Victoria Beckham (then girlfriend, now wife, to soccer-player David Beckham), went from a source of public fascination, to scorn, fairly quickly in the early 2000s. Victoria and other English soccer WAGs were often criticized for exploiting their partners’ fame, and referred to as vapid, shallow “distractions.” WAGs have also been inexplicably blamed when their significant other didn’t perform well (Tony Romo was supposedly under Jessica Simpson’s “curse” when he played poorly for the Dallas Cowboys in 2007). Early in their inception, the WAGs just couldn’t win.
Fortunately, in the 2010’s, the age of the influencer arrived and changed everything for the WAGs. Through the proliferation of social media, the public began to get a more personal glimpse into the lives of athletes’ partners, and quickly found them to be quite interesting. Fast forward to 2026, and the WAGs have become public figures in their own right. On the backs of the many greats who have gone before them, today’s WAGs are building their own empires. Modern WAGs like Paige Lorenze, Alexandra Leclerc, Olivia Culpo, and Kika Gomes are founders, CEOs, models, wives, influencers and moms to adorable high-net-worth offspring. And their influence is only growing.
WAG life in 2026 is giving high fantasy, and we’d love to step into just about any aspect of the apparently magical existence. But none more so than the WAG fashion arena, full of photo shoots, runway shows, and the crucial game-day look. We’re breaking down some of today’s most fashionable WAGs, and how you can steal their elite style.
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Paige Lorenze
Paige Lorenze, Connecticut-based influencer and founder of lifestyle brand Dairy Boy, is engaged to professional tennis player Tommy Paul. Of her fiancé, Lorenze told GQ, “He’s so modest, and…not shy, but not boastful. My favorite thing about him is that he’s humble, and so gracious, and not cocky. And I love the way he treats other players.” Accomplished in her own right, Lorenze was a competitive alpine skier, and studied design at Parsons prior to meeting Paul. Lorenze is now a fashion and country-living influencer, while also running Dairy Boy, a preppy/country clothing line for the fashion-informed (think Sporty & Rich meets Ralph Lauren). Day-to-day Lorenze is often seen mixing Dairy Boy pieces with designer accessories (Saint Laurent loafers and Loewe bags), but it’s all Self Portrait and Carolina Herrera for events.
Shop her look:
Dairy Boy The American Rugby, $95
Dairy Boy The Fisherman's Daughter Sweater, $108
Altar'd State Layla Eyelet Mini Dress, $78
Alexandra Leclerc
Alexandra Leclerc, (formerly Alexandra Saint Mleux), is a French influencer, art historian, and model, most well-known for her relationship with Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc (whom she married in Monte Carlo last month). Famous for her art and travel content, Leclerc is also a darling of fashion-lovers worldwide. Her aesthetic is low-key and elegant, and she knows how to lean into mystery. A master of feminine high-low dressing—seen in Réalisation Par one day and Dolce & Gabbana the next—Leclerc’s style is both relatable and aspirational.
If your dream scene is art museums, beautiful locales and F1 paddocks, Alexandra Leclerc is your muse.
Shop her look:
JW PEI Maren Artificial Crystal Heart Shaped Bag, $199
Altar'd State Dara Crochet Midi Skirt, $128
Realisation Par The Claudia in Super Dot, $310
Morgan Riddle
Called “the most famous woman in men’s tennis” by the New York Times, and the “First Lady of American Tennis” by Vogue, Morgan Riddle is an influencer and content creator dating professional tennis player Taylor Fritz. The pair allegedly met on Raya during the early days of the Covid-19 lockdown, and have been inseparable ever since. Fully embracing her role as #1 tennis WAG, Riddle told Glamour “My mission has always been to bring more eyes to the sport. My goal is to get the WAGs dressed by brands, because that had never been done before… there’s so many eyes on us. Why are brands not jumping on this?” Well, mission accomplished, as WAGs are more visible and influential than ever, thanks in part to Riddle’s advocacy, no doubt.
Riddle’s preppy-luxury style has been on display at events via Fait par Foutch, Cult Gaia, and Polo Ralph Lauren, and she also has a collaboration of sporty/brunch looks with Beginning Boutique.
Shop her look:
Fait Par Foutch Adrienna Dress, $295
Beginning Boutique Simona Blue Maxi Knit Skirt, $90
SNDYS x REVOLVE Diana Mini Dress, $114
Kika Gomes
Kika Gomes is a beautiful Portuguese model, influencer and actress dating Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly. Following a recent race, Gasly called Gomes "my lucky charm." According to Tatler, Gomes “believes in that ‘kind of energy,” and approved. Good energy seems to surround the WAG icon, whose elevated clean girl vibe has brought her collaborations with brands like Burberry, Carolina Herrera and Nina Ricci.
She has also nailed the off-duty look, including for a recent appearance in denim at a Calvin Klein runway show.
Shop her look:
Calvin Klein Low Rise Baggy Jeans, $90
Calvin Klein Denim Relaxed Trucker Jacket, $102
ASOS DESIGN Drop Waist Mini Shirt Dress with Pleated Skirt in Gray Stripe, $68
Hailee Steinfeld
This woman needs no introduction, but we’ll give her one anyway. Hailee Steinfeld is an actress, singer and wife to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Best known for her roles in Pitch Perfect and Sinners, Steinfeld started dating Allen in 2023, and they tied the knot in Santa Barbara last year. Despite having her own busy schedule, Steinfeld regularly attends Allen’s games. Of their relationship, Steinfeld told Bustle, “It’s the greatest thing in the world… Life makes sense. Everything makes sense. I feel like I am stepping into the version that I’ve always dreamed of being, having so much to do with being with him.”
Steinfeld’s style could be described as feminine glam with an edge, having worn everything from Tamara Ralph to Tom Ford.
Shop her look:
Bardot Veria Wrap Mesh Maxi Dress, $169
Olivia Culpo
Olivia Culpo is a model, actress and former Miss USA and Miss Universe, who also happens to be married to one of the NFL’s top running backs, San Francisco 49er Christian McCaffrey. Involved in everything from beauty pageants to restaurant ventures, Culpo has her hand in many pies, including those at home. She and McCaffrey are parents to 9-month-old daughter Colette, and Culpo has called motherhood the “best chapter yet.”
Her style, as you would expect, includes everything from red carpet glam to easy mom-life looks; either way, she’s always polished and put-together. Seen at events in Jacquemus and Loewe, she’s also collaborated on capsule collections for Montce and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Shop her look:
Quince 100% Washable Silk Maxi Slip Dress, $110
Everlane The Oversized Blazer in Wool, $134
Levi's Cinch Wide-leg Women's Jeans, $110
JW PEI Yara Shoulder Bag, $139
Taylor Swift
No current WAG list would be complete without the queen herself, Taylor Swift. Another woman who needs no introduction, Swift was a household name before becoming WAG to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, but it’s a title she wears with pride nonetheless. An obvious fixture at his games early in their relationship, Swift continues to attend and show her support, but in a much less visible way (due to the overwhelming attention she received early on). Swift is forever inspo both creatively and stylistically, but her eclectic aesthetic is harder to pin down. A bit of a chameleon style-wise, she has had her fair share of metamorphoses throughout her career. Some of our favorite looks include red-hot Vivenne Westwood and schoolgirl Miu Miu.
Shop her look:
Mavena & Co. Ruched Corset Mini Dress, $52
Free People Midnight Magic Mini Dress, $88
ASTR The Label Chantel Pleated Mini Skirt, $89
English Factory Madeline Check Pleated Mini Skort, $48
Comeback Queens
The WAGs have been through a lot and, fortunately, in 2026, they’ve come out on top. A testament to their tenacity, the ladies of professional men’s sports have secured their spot as pop culture icons. Innovative use of social media, and capitalization on talents, has led to a shift in their public perception from opportunistic sidepiece, to equal partner in crime. WAGS are now seen as leaders in fashion, media and entertainment, and their influence isn’t waning anytime soon.