What to Wear to the US Open: A Women's Guide

The US Open runs August 23 to September 13 in New York, and figuring out what to wear to the US Open is its own small sport. You want to look polished in the stands and in the photos, but you also have a long day ahead: sun on the outer courts at noon, a cool blast of air conditioning inside Arthur Ashe at night, and a lot of walking in between. Dress for the day and you are miserable by the night session. Dress for the night and you bake by lunch. The trick is one outfit that carries both, which is exactly the kind of court-to-street dressing we build around.

The short answer. There is no dress code at the US Open, and unlike Wimbledon there is no all-white rule, so wear what makes you feel put together and can survive a full day. The reliable formula is a breathable base plus one good layer: a tennis dress or a coordinated skort-and-polo set, or a relaxed trouser with a fitted top, in cotton or a soft technical knit. Lean into crisp whites and creams if you want the tenniscore look, but color is completely fair game here. Bring a light layer you can carry, because night sessions inside the stadium run cold. Wear shoes you can walk miles in. Keep your bag small and simple, because the gate bag policy is strict. Sun cover for the day, a wrap for the night, and you are set from the first serve to the last.

Is there a dress code at the US Open?

No. The US Open has no formal dress code for spectators and no whites requirement, which is the first thing to know if you are picturing Wimbledon. People turn out in everything from sundresses to tailored separates to elevated athleisure. What reads best in that crowd is polished and comfortable, not fussy. Think of it as a stylish summer day out where you happen to be sitting in the sun for hours, then moving indoors at night. If you are in a suite or a hospitality area, nudge it up a notch toward smart-casual. On the grounds, a clean court-to-street outfit is exactly right.

Day session or night session? Dress for the swing

The single biggest factor in a US Open outfit is which session you are attending. Day sessions in late August are hot and bright, with real sun exposure on the outer courts, so you want breathable fabrics, a little coverage from the sun, and nothing that clings. Night sessions are a different climate: the air conditioning inside Arthur Ashe Stadium is serious, and an open-air seat after dark cools off fast. The answer is not two outfits. It is one breathable base plus a layer you carry. A Year of Ours Court Jacket ($175) is the piece we hand people for exactly this, because it is light enough to knot at your waist in the sun and warm enough for a cool stadium at ten at night.

The tenniscore move: whites, creams, and court-to-street pieces

Tennis style is having a genuine cultural moment right now, and the US Open is the place to wear it. You do not have to, but a crisp white or cream look photographs beautifully and reads instantly of the sport. The cleanest one-piece answer is a tennis dress like the Rhone Course to Court Dress ($118), which looks like sport without looking like gym. If you prefer separates, build a set: the Rhone Course to Court Polo ($88) with the Rhone Course to Court Skort ($98) reads intentional and gives you more range for the rest of the week. If you want the look without the sport reference, a relaxed TravisMathew Cloud Terry Wide Leg Pant ($119.95) with a fitted top is quiet, cool, and easy in a stadium seat.

Three outfits that carry day to night

Here is how the pieces come together. Each of these starts breathable and adds one layer for the swing into evening.

The look	Base	Layer for the night session
The one-piece	Course to Court Dress	Court Jacket knotted, then on
The set	Course to Court Polo + Skort	A light knit or the Court Jacket
The off-duty	Cloud Terry Wide Leg Pant + fitted tank	A wrap or cropped jacket

Shoes, bags, and the details that matter at the gate

Two practical things save your day. First, shoes: you will walk far more than you expect between courts, food, and your seat, so wear a clean sneaker or a supportive flat you have already broken in. This is not the day for a brand-new heel. Second, your bag: the US Open bag policy is strict on size, and oversized bags get turned away or slow you down at security, so bring something compact and simple and confirm the current policy before you go. Add sun cover for the day, sunglasses, and a small wrap for the night, and you have handled everything the day throws at you. For more on the skort question, our guide to Skorts vs. Tennis Skirts breaks down which one works harder, and if you are also playing this summer, What to Wear to a Country Club Tennis Match covers on-court dressing. Shop the full range in the Women's collection, and if you are going with him, send him our men's US Open guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a dress code at the US Open?
No. There is no formal spectator dress code and no all-white rule like Wimbledon. Wear something polished and comfortable. Suites and hospitality areas lean a little more smart-casual.

What should I wear to a US Open night session?
A breathable base plus a real layer. The air conditioning inside Arthur Ashe is strong and open-air seats cool off after dark, so bring a light jacket or wrap you can carry through the warm early evening.

Do people wear white to the US Open?
Some do, and crisp whites and creams look great on camera, but it is entirely optional. The US Open has no color rule, so wear what you like.

What shoes should I wear to the US Open?
Comfortable ones you have already broken in. You will walk a lot, so a clean sneaker or supportive flat beats a new heel every time.

Can I bring a bag to the US Open?
Yes, but the size policy is strict and large bags can be refused at the gate. Bring something compact and simple, and check the tournament's current bag rules before you travel.

Two weeks of tennis, one very long day at a time. Dress for the swing from sun to stadium and you will still look pulled together at match point. (Out)dress the day, not just the match.