What to Never Wear to a Workout, According to Venus Williams

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(Image credit: EleVen by Venus Williams)

As far as I'm concerned, there’s no one better to look to for activewear advice than Venus Williams. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has been training since she was four years old, so it’s not an exaggeration to say that she lives in workout clothes. Not to mention she's been designing her own tournament and practice clothes for her EleVen by Venus Williams brand for over a decade, so she's a next-level expert. Ahead of the launch of EleVen's new Love Leopard collection, available now, I was thrilled to chat with Williams about the new pieces and her activewear essentials.

I first asked Williams about what she would never wear to play tennis or work out, to which she responded, "That's a really good question, so I hope this answer works: I need me some stretch! If something is restrictive, you can't put your best foot forward. I need something that performs with me so I'm not distracted on the court." Wise words, indeed. 

I also took the opportunity to ask Williams about the workout fashion basics everyone should own. "Believe it or not, a bomber jacket is an underrated workout essential," Williams told Who What Wear. "It's fashionable and really functional. My Flash Forward Bomber Jacket from this collection is that perfect piece to layer for a nighttime outdoor workout. It comes in our Love Leopard print, and the collar is a lurex rib so it has this nice sparkle. It's definitely one of my favorite pieces from the collection."

To complete your workout capsule, Williams suggested two more essentials in addition to a bomber jacket. "I also swear by a good sports bra. You need support while you work out, and not to be biased, but my EleVen sports bras are the best out there," she said. "I also swear by my Seamless Smooth Leggings. They are perfect—my whole family has a pair!” 

Now that you're armed with Venus Williams–approved outfit tips, scroll down to shop the new Love Leopard collection from her EleVen brand. 

Erin Fitzpatrick
Senior News Editor

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 12 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of senior news editor (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.