Ranked – The World’s Best Dressed Athletes

As affluence and style often go hand-in-hand, it’s unsurprising that elite athletes are often renowned for their cutting edge and impactful fashion sense. This observation is nothing new either, with David Beckham, Roger Federer and Tom Brady (among others) having previously blazed a trail for others to follow.

Many contemporary sports stars have certainly followed in the footsteps of these fashion idols. So, in addition to dominating the highest profile sporting competitions and various markets at the best online betting sites, the best dressed athletes are also inspiring fashion trends across the globe!

• Breaking the Mould – Who Are the Most Stylish Athletes of 2024?
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – One of the Most Fashionable Athletes Over Time
• Odell Beckham Jr. – Creating a Style That’s Loud but Coherent
• Gervonta Davis – Continuing to Dazzle in and Out of the Ring
• Jules Koundé – The Very Epitome of Casual Versatility
• Stefon Diggs – A Risk-Taker Both on and Off the Pitch

Breaking the Mould – Who Are the Most Stylish Athletes of 2024?

There’s no doubt that the crossover between the worlds of sport and fashion has become more pronounced in recent years. It’s now not uncommon to see elite level athletes sitting in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, for example, while a growing number of stars boast sponsorship or ambassadorial deals with designed fashion brands.

What’s more, there now seem to be fashion trailblazers from a more diverse selection of sports. This even includes historically working-class disciplines like soccer, with elite-level players now earning more in weekly income and commercial deals than ever before. Even sports like American football, baseball and skateboarding are spawning fashion icons on a significant scale!

Of course, many of the most fashionable athletes still ply their trade in the NBA, with basketball having produced world-renowned style icons for decades now. But who are the world’s best dressed athletes overall, and what sets these individuals apart from their peers? Here’s our pick of the top five!

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – One of the Most Fashionable Athletes Over Time

Not a list of the most stylish athletes would be complete without Canadian basketball star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After all, the Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard has been at the cutting edge of both the NBA and designer fashion for years, ever since his NBA debut for the L.A. Clippers back in 2018.

Impressively, he ranked ninth in GQ’s 2023 list of the ‘Best Dressed NBA Players of All-Time’. Of course, this had much to do with the 26-year-old famously donning a pair of MSCHF’s exclusive ‘Big Red Boots’ in February of last year, with only 200 of these fashion garments in existence and very few people of pulling off this unusual look.

Gilgeous-Alexander seemed to manage it effortlessly, however, which is perhaps not surprising given his penchant for fashion evolution and mastery of basic aesthetics. This, coupled with his huge social media following, enabled Shai to walk the runner in the coveted Thom Browne Spring 2023 menswear show.

Just as Shia’s unique fashion sense seems to evolve every year, his on-court performance continues to improve as well. In the last two seasons with the Thunder, for example, SGA has averaged 31.4 and 30.1 points-per-game (PPG) respectively. What’s more, he shot an average of 30.2 PPG in the 2024 playoffs, highlighting his growing ability to thrive and dazzle on the biggest stage.

Make no mistake: the Thunder are fourth favorites to win the NBA Championship outright in 2025, and SGA will play a key role if he’s to claim his first such honor. Who knows, the man who many considered to be the world’s most fashionable athlete could also reaffirm his status as one of the best basketball players on earth this season?

Odell Beckham Jr. – Creating a Style That’s Loud but Coherent

With a surname like Beckham, it’s hard to imagine that ‘Junior’ was ever going to struggle for a definitive sense of style. He’s unrelated to David, of course, but while the two may boast completely different fashion outlooks and aesthetics, they can both lay claim to being among the world’s most stylish sportsmen!

Unlike SGA, Odell Beckham Jr isn’t part of the Paris Fashion Week or Met Gala crowd, but this hasn’t prevented him from forging an incredible and bold sense of style that often translates into eye-catching and photo-worthy fits. Ever since he debuted in the NFL back in 2014, he has earned a deserved reputation as one of the world’s most recognisable and best dressed athletes.

If you were looking for a single word to describe OBJ’s style, bold is perhaps the most apt. Loud may be another, but the 32-year-old Miami Dolphins wide receiver always seems to wear well-balanced outfits that make perfect sense. This is no mean feat, especially as he likes to sport completely different looks from one day to the next!

From head-to-toe leather outfits to the unique combination of polka-dot cargo pants with a paisley Kapital puffer vest, OBJ often switches aesthetics and mixes fashion choices that should be unworkable. However, he always seems to pull these outfits off, while managing to occupy the full attention of any nearby photographers.

Odell experienced a mixed year in 2024, recording 35 receptions for 565 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. He was subsequently released by the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the year, before signing with the Dolphins on May 8th, 2024. He will be hoping for a year as bright as his fashion sense this season and a return to his previous form!

Gervonta Davis – Continuing to Dazzle in and Out of the Ring

Gervonta Davis is at the peak of his powers in the ring, with the WBA lightweight champion having won all 30 of his professional fights to date. After his almost routine eighth-round KO of Frank Martin in June, ‘Tank’ has now stopped 28 of his opponents inside the distance and compiled a knockout ratio of 93.33%.

Tank certainly has a well-deserved and strong sense of confidence, with this arguably influencing his bold and seamless sense of style. Interestingly, Davis has also made efforts to convey his unique fashion sense in the ring, especially in the form of his customised ‘Chrome Hearts’ rainbow cross trunks (which he wore during his high-profile stoppage of the aforementioned Martin).

In April of last year, he wowed in a pair of green and purple satin trunks as he forced rival Ryan Garcia to take the knee in the seventh round. Tank also wore custom-made boots in this victory, with his footwear bearing an uncanny resemblance to the “Skunk” Nike SB Dunk High. One thing’s for sure: he’s not one to keep a low profile when he steps into the ring!

What’s truly impressive is that Davis is just as flashy and eye-catching outside the ring as he is inside. He regularly combines unusual materials with visually stunning bling, for example, with the fighter’s favourites including Kapital denim and trusty Louis Vuitton Craggy Monogram Keepalls. Tank also spends a considerable amount of money on his wardrobe, but this translates into an enduringly stylish and expensive look.

Of course, Davis also divides opinion, especially on social media. Some consider him to be the single most fashionable sportsman in the world, for example, whereas others consider his aesthetic to be a little too flashy. Objectively speaking, however, there’s no doubt that Tank deserves his place on our list and blazes a trail for others to follow in the fashion realm.

Jules Koundé – The Very Epitome of Casual Versatility

Given that soccer star Jules Koundé was born in Paris and currently plies his trade in Barcelona, you would expect him to have a sophisticated and defined sense of style. The defender certainly doesn’t disappoint in this respect, with the 26-year-old having suddenly emerged as one of Europe’s most fashionable athletes!

What really sets Koundé apart as a style icon is the versatility and diversity of his wardrobe. This is home to a stunning mix of simple classics and eye-catching garments, ensuring he can dress for every occasion. From rocking a trusty faded T-shirt (vintage, of course) and Adidas sneakers to donning flared denim and a cropped leather jacket, there’s no look that Koundé can’t master.

To facilitate such effortless versatility, Koundé sports a range of designer brands, including established entities such as Prada and Louis Vuitton. However, he’s also known to wear garments from lesser known and up-and-coming designers, including the incredibly popular Dutch streetwear brand La Fam.

Of course, the last few years have seen Koundé’s profile grow significantly, with the right back playing a key role in Barcelona’s title win in 2022/23. He lifted the Supercopa de España at the start of the following campaign, while he had previously won the UEFA Europa League with Sevilla in 2020. Koundé was also a regular starter when France won the 2020/21 Nations League crown.

Barca also tops the La Liga table in 2024/25, despite a return downturn in form under the stewardship of German head coach Hansi Flick. He has built a particularly fruitful partnership with precocious right winger Lamine Yamal too, so we should expect to see far more of Koundé in the coming months and years!

Stefon Diggs – A Risk-Taker Both on and Off the Pitch

Last, but not least, we come to Stefon Diggs. Undoubtedly one of the most stylish athletes in the world, the Houston Texans wide receiver is also known to take bold and eye-catching risks when it comes to his wardrobe choices. His outfits are often visually stunning and highly expressive, while he clearly takes a great deal of time to plan and structure his outfit choices.

Like many of the other style icons on our list, you’ll also spot significant versatility in Diggs’ wardrobe. Sometimes, for example, he’ll sport a designer knit sweater with a slender torso and big, balloon-shaped sleeves. At other times, he’ll wear an avant-garde Rick Owens’ tank top with a V that runs so deep that you can see his artfully inked chest.

Even when Diggs is wearing more classic and everyday garments, he still makes a mark. Very few can pull off vintage graphic T-shirts and letterman jackets with the same effortlessness of the Maryland native, while he’s often spotted out and about in camouflage cargos and simple trucker caps.

Interestingly, Diggs’ influence in the world of fashion stretches beyond the clothes and outfits that he wears. For example, he already has his own lifestyle clothing range (called Liem Homme), while he entered into his first sneaker collaboration with Asics in 2023. He also regularly attends runway fashions shows, while he even modelled in the previous ‘Fear of God Collection 8’ campaign!

The good news is that none of this has distracted Diggs from his work on the field. He enjoyed a stellar 2023 campaign with the Buffalo Bills, recording more than 100 receiving yards in five of his first six matches. He closed the campaign with 107 receptions for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns, earning a fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nomination in the process.

Having signed for the Houston Texans in the pre-season, Diggs debuted with 33 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 29-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Having subsequently scored his maiden career rushing touchdown against the Jaguars; however, he suffered a torn ACL and has been sadly ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 NFL campaign.

The Last Word

Ultimately, we could have included 100 names on this list, with the stars of basketball and American football particularly synonymous with cutting-edge fashion and style.

However, the five names included here are undisputed fashion icons who have blurred the lines between avant-garde and everyday wear. So, they’re all more than worthy of their place on our list!