Venus Williams Shocks the French Open With Her Racy Tennis Dress

They don't have to wear skirts. Lots of them don't. I know Serena has skipped the skirt at times. The only actual rule is that at Wimbledon whatever they wear has to be predominantly white.

Preaching to the Choir ( http://rantsofapublicdefender.blogspot.com/ )

I actually think it's kind of cool... I mean, I don't like the dress, nor the fact that it's black and it's HOT on that court...

But we're talking about a sport that says a girl has to wear a skirt. After playing for a decade or more of playing I'm thinking I'd like to wear whatever the heck I want.

Why can't they wear shorts like the guys? I feel like Venus must have been thinking "fine, you say I have to wear a skirt, I will wear whatever skirt I like".

I mean, I am not a fashonista so I can't even judge what looks good and what doesn't, and I'm not sure I want my daughter saying she wants to wear this skirt... but then again I'm not sure I want my daughter playing a sport with a silly, illogical dress code.

Heather

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I actually think it's kind of cool... I mean, I don't like the dress, nor the fact that it's black and it's HOT on that court...

But we're talking about a sport that says a girl has to wear a skirt. After playing for a decade or more of playing I'm thinking I'd like to wear whatever the heck I want.

Why can't they wear shorts like the guys? I feel like Venus must have been thinking "fine, you say I have to wear a skirt, I will wear whatever skirt I like".

I mean, I am not a fashonista so I can't even judge what looks good and what doesn't, and I'm not sure I want my daughter saying she wants to wear this skirt... but then again I'm not sure I want my daughter playing a sport with a silly, illogical dress code.

Heather

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www.heather-cook.com
www.thewritingmother.blogspot.com
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Some people's only taste is in their mouth. I've also heard that bad taste is better than none. The Williams' sisters have, in my opinion, promoted many crimes against fashion and style - from the blonde braids and other tresses to this. Yet, I've seen them both styled incredibly tastefully in clothes that accentuate their atheltic beauty.
Taste is in the eye of the beholder and this is just horrible in my opinion.
It did get them press though and that seems to be what makes the world go round these days.
Blech.

http://blog.candelariasilva.com ( http://blog.candelarisilva.com/ )

Good and plenty!

Bloomers would have been a nice touch.

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Sarah can also be found at Sarah and the Goon Squad ( http://sarahandthegoonsquad.com/ ), Draft Day Suit ( http://draftdaysuit.com/ ) and MamaPop ( http://mamapop.com ).

That would be perfect for her!

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Sarah can also be found at Sarah and the Goon Squad ( http://sarahandthegoonsquad.com/ ), Draft Day Suit ( http://draftdaysuit.com/ ) and MamaPop ( http://mamapop.com ).

I have mixed emotions about this.

On the one hand--the points made here (Ms. Magazine blog) ( http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2010/05/26/5-looks... ) are all good ones.

On the other hand, I can't help but wonder...what if this is Venus' "Red Dress"? ( http://www.blogher.com/find-your-red-dress?from=to... )

~Margaret

Just Margaret ( http://maurhoffbarney.blogspot.com )

It usually ends up on the bedroom floor after about 2 minutes.

(TMI?)

;o)

Jacqueline Wilson (aka: WritRams) is a writer, blogger, educator, mother and wife. You can find her on her Writer Ramblings blog at www.WritRams.com ( http://www.writrams.com ) writing about a little of everything...maybe even you.

I know she said it was all about "illusion" but yes, she could have created the illusion that she was wearing underpants.

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Sarah can also be found at Sarah and the Goon Squad ( http://sarahandthegoonsquad.com/ ), Draft Day Suit ( http://draftdaysuit.com/ ) and MamaPop ( http://mamapop.com ).

And thanks, Suzanne. :)

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Sarah can also be found at Sarah and the Goon Squad ( http://sarahandthegoonsquad.com/ ), Draft Day Suit ( http://draftdaysuit.com/ ) and MamaPop ( http://mamapop.com ).

I know nothing about tennis or fashion or tennis fashion. But I do know that those bloomers... well, I'd prefer not to see where Venus sweats when she's beating the crap out of a yellow ball.

And that nude shade of undies all sweaty....eeeuuwww! Not good, not good at all.
Adela
www.oncealittlegirl.wordpress.com ( http://www.oncealittlegirl.wordpress.com )
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She looks a hot ass mess. Now, if she REALLY wants to wow me...show up in some pants. It is OBVIOUSLY a publicity thing, because why else would she choose skin-toned undergarments? Just a mess.

I kinda like it. It's a cute little dress. Should she be wearing a mini nun habit or what?

If you think about it there's no reason on earthy why women tennis players need to wear a stupid little skirt of any variety. No matter how much NOT like lingerie your tiny tennis outfit looks it's still going to be up around your ears during the game.

Might as well have fun with it...

At least she can't wear it at Wimbledon! I wonder if she has an all-white version. I think that would just put "Like a Virgin" in my head while watching all of her matches.

Preaching to the Choir ( http://rantsofapublicdefender.blogspot.com/ )

And the falling standards are so apparent in tennis. 15 or 20 years ago everybody wore all white all of the time. It was just a cleaner, classier look. The clothing never distracted from the game.

I wish I thought it was a good idea to wear whatever you want to The French Open, but Ms. Williams just showed us all why is isn't.

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Sarah can also be found at Sarah and the Goon Squad ( http://sarahandthegoonsquad.com/ ), Draft Day Suit ( http://draftdaysuit.com/ ) and MamaPop ( http://mamapop.com ).

This looks like something Britney Spears would wear when she sang a song about playing tennis.

First, the post made me laugh. Then the comments. Finally, I decided to laugh at the outfit itself.

Suzanne also blogs at Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Other Rants ( http://cussandotherrants.com ) and is the author of Off the Beaten (Subway) Track ( http://offthebeatensubwaytrack.com ).

Though I want to defend her right to wear what she wants, I just can't. There is eroding standards all around us, I see it all the time as to what is appropriate work attire and what isn't.

Her job is to play tennis and though marketing of other companies clothing and footwear lines have long been accepted, they at least looked relevant to the sport.

This "Victoria Secret" outfit doesn't belong and this is why women in sport get treated differently.

The poses captured by photographers are different then men, the words used to describe their efforts are different and the hyper-sexualization of women in sport is devaluing their contribution.

Venus is a talented person both on and off the court but there is a place for each of her passions. In this case I think her passion for design and promotion went too far.

Jill has a great point.

Plus, can you imagine how bizarre her tan lines looked that night?

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Sarah can also be found at Sarah and the Goon Squad ( http://sarahandthegoonsquad.com/ ), Draft Day Suit ( http://draftdaysuit.com/ ) and MamaPop ( http://mamapop.com ).

I was just about to do a fug reference! UGH!

Tack. EE.

I blog at  www.findingmissb.com ( http://www.findingmissb.com ) !  

And I don't mean the outfit.

I mean the COLOR - if you play tennis, outdoors, in the sun, in the heat - do not wear black - it absorbs heat - I don't care what material it's made of, wick-away stuff or not. No black clothing on a tennis court - too hot to look at, too hot to be in - sweat city.

Jill Writes Like She Talks ( http://www.writeslikeshetalks.com )

In The Arena: Jill Miller Zimon, Pepper Pike City Council Member ( http://jillmillerzimon.blogspot.com )

I would find that incredibly distracting to play against, the number 2 reason I would lose against her.

Way to sexualize women in sports, Venus. Plus it's just a tacky thing in any setting. That mess can just go fug itself.

Deb Rox

3 Smart Girlz ( http://www.3smartgirlz.com/ ) consulting

Blog ( http://www.debontherocks.com/ ) like a freaking butterfly, sting like a Tweet. ( http://www.twitter.com/debontherocks )

I'm sorry, but she just looks completely stupid. The Williams' sisters seem like nice ladies and I like them as tennis players, but fashion designers they are not. The tennis court is not the place to unveil your "naughty come hiter" look.

On the other hand, it's a brilliant marketing move because we're all talking about it today.

Elizabeth blogs at I'm the Boss of Me Now ( http://imthebossofmenow.blogspot.com ) and designs for Quite Clever Jewelry ( http://www.quiteclever.etsy.com ).