Alright, so this whole WNBA Commissioner dress thing kicked off kind of randomly. I was just scrolling online, you know, seeing pics from events, and it hit me. Cathy Engelbert, she’s the face of the league, right? She’s gotta look sharp, powerful, all that. But what does that even mean for a dress? It’s not like there’s a manual for it.
My First Steps Down the Rabbit Hole
So, I started digging. Fired up the old image search. Saw a lot of pantsuits, some classic dresses. All very professional, don’t get me wrong. But I kept thinking, there’s gotta be something more to it. How do you mix that corporate vibe with the energy of basketball, specifically women’s basketball? It’s a tough nut to crack, honestly.
I wanted to avoid anything too flashy or, worse, something that looked like she borrowed it from a CEO of a bank with no personality. The WNBA is dynamic! It’s got grit! The clothes should at least hint at that, I figured.
Wrestling with the Actual Design
Then came the sketching part. My desk looked like a paper recycling bin exploded. My first few stabs at it? Total garbage. One looked like something out of a bad 80s power-dressing catalogue. Another was so bland, it made beige look exciting. I was getting frustrated, thinking maybe I bit off more than I could chew.
I thought about colors. The WNBA orange is iconic, but slap too much of it on a dress and she’ll look like a mascot. Not the goal. So, how to use it subtly? That was a puzzle. And the fabric! It can’t be flimsy. It needs to hold its shape, look expensive without being stuffy. I spent a good while just mulling over textures and weights. I even considered if she’d be doing much moving, like would she be on court, off court? It all matters.
- Needed to be authoritative but not intimidating.
- Had to be modern but also timeless.
- Practical enough for long days, too.
It felt like trying to solve a riddle. I nearly gave up a couple of times, just chucked my pencil across the room. You try designing something that ticks all those boxes and still looks good. It’s not as simple as it sounds, believe me.
What I Finally Landed On
After a lot of back and forth, tearing up sketches, and drinking way too much coffee, I settled on a direction. I leaned into a sort of modern architectural style. Think clean lines, a strong silhouette, but with an unexpected detail or two.
I pictured a dress in a really good quality crepe, maybe a deep jewel tone, like a sapphire blue or even a powerful charcoal. Not black, a bit too predictable. The cut would be tailored, sharp, but not restrictive. Then, the kicker – a subtle asymmetrical element. Maybe in the neckline, or a cleverly placed seam that draws the eye.
And for that WNBA touch? I thought about a very discreet, custom-designed pin that incorporates the league’s logo, something that’s almost part of the dress itself. Or perhaps a flash of that signature WNBA orange, but only on the inside lining, so you just get a peek when she moves. Understated, but there.
So, yeah. That was my little project. It’s not like I’m sending a portfolio to the WNBA headquarters or anything. It was more of a personal challenge, trying to think through what that kind of high-stakes dressing involves. It’s a lot more than just picking something off a rack, that’s for sure. Makes you appreciate the thought that probably goes into it, even if we don’t always see it.
