(Image source: American Eagle)
There are few things I enjoy more than a the intersection of tennis and fashion. Combining two of my passions into one story? Talk about a dream mission. When Oh My offered an interview with its latest campaign star, Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff, I jumped at the chance. Currently ranked number two in the world, Gauff was happy to take the time to chat with me ahead of her next tournament.
Gauff will be going to the Olympics in Paris and then the US Open in NYC, so I asked if she dresses differently in the two cities. “One hundred percent,” Gauff told me. “I feel more comfortable in New York because Paris has a very professional, high-end vibe. I feel like they focus a lot on layering when it comes to fashion, and really durable, quality clothes. Maybe not too much color, but just layering. … When I pack for Europe, I pack differently. I like to pack more staple pieces with high-quality materials.”
Gauff went on to explain a French fashion mistake she once made: “In Paris, I wore a neon New Balance hockey skirt and jeans with lots of pockets, and I definitely got some stares in the area I was in. … In New York, the craziest things happen there, so you’re just a fly on the wall. You can wear anything, and you won’t stand out.”
Scroll down to read my full interview with Gauff, who will lead the U.S. Olympic team as flag bearer at tomorrow’s Opening Ceremony alongside LeBron James.
(Image source: American Eagle)
Why is working with American Eagle right for you?
Growing up, I always shopped at American Eagle. This is the first time I’ve done a campaign like this off the court. I’m really excited to work with them because in the tennis world, the talk is about the clothes I wear with New Balance, so I thought it would be cool to do something off the court and show people more about me as a person and what I like in fashion.
How do you use fashion to express yourself when you’re not on the court?
There are so many ways. I change my aesthetic a lot. Sometimes people ask me, What is your aesthetic? I don’t really have an aesthetic because I feel like some days I wake up and I’ll go out in a flowy dress, like the soft girl aesthetic. And then the next day I’ll wear baggy jeans or cargo pants and something oversized, dressed like a guy. It really just depends on how I woke up that day and how I want to present myself, but I like the idea of mixing feminine and masculine tones together.
Do you have any favorite American Eagle products right now?
I love Exhaust Jeans ($45). They’re not too baggy in case I have to do something a little more formal. I like baggy jeans—the baggier the better—but sometimes, I only have time to wear one outfit. I don’t have time to change. I think it’s just a nice pair of jeans to wear when going out or dressing down.
Are you excited about the Olympics? Tennis is an individual sport, so how does it feel to be part of a team?
I’m really excited about the Olympics. It’s my first time. I qualified for Tokyo, but I also got COVID at the same time. I have to wear the hazmat suit until I actually get there. I’m really excited to go, and it feels so different from the team atmosphere. I just tried on my actual suit for yesterday, and it says ‘USA’ on the back, and it gives me a little shiver. In tennis, we always represent our country, but it’s obviously a much different feeling. [significant] when you play in the Olympics.
Can you tell us a little about your US Open outfit?
Honestly, we’ve changed it. I would say we had a costume at the end of last year, and then I wore it, and we just felt like it wasn’t it, so we changed it. This US Open, there’s definitely going to be some color, but not as much neon as last year. I’ll have at least two different suits, one for day and one for night, and I have a third if I want to put it in there.
(Image source: American Eagle)
Shop Coco Gauff’s selections from American Eagle
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Cropped Button-Up Sweater
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High Waisted Stretch Straight Leg Jeans
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High Waisted Pleated Denim Mini Skort
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Ae Stretchy High Leg Jeans
