Simone Biles’s ESPYs Gown Was Made From Performance Fabric

Any activewear with Simone Biles’s stamp of approval instantly lands on our radar. If it’s good enough for an 11-time Olympic medalist, it’s more than good enough for us. So when she stepped onto the 2025 ESPYs red carpet in a custom gown crafted from performance fabric, fashion insiders, fellow athletes, and fans alike took notice. A glamorous dress made from workout gear? It’s not something we’ve seen before — at least not to this extent — and that’s exactly the point.

Of course, if anyone could pull off a gown made from athleticwear, it’s Biles. And if anyone has the creative vision and expertise to bring it to life, it’s Zac Posen. Posen, executive vice president and creative director of Gap Inc., teamed up with Biles, an Athleta partner since 2021, to reimagine her favorite piece from the brand, the Transcend Open-Back Tee. Effortlessly fusing performance wear with couture-level design, Posen created this one-of-a-kind gown that, while seemingly unconventional, is primarily rooted in something deeper: empowerment and transformation. The idea of showing up red-carpet ready and feeling completely at ease wrapped in the same second-skin fabric as your favorite workout top is an exciting notion — especially for anyone who’s ever felt personally victimized by stiff, itchy, or straight-up uncomfortable formalwear.

The look was dazzling and elegant, but it was also more than a fashion flex. Biles’s bold choice marks a cultural shift: a growing attitude that prioritizes both style and comfort in women’s fashion. Thanks to the Athleta VitaFree fabric’s buttery soft texture, ample flexibility, lightweight feel, sweat-wicking properties, and impressive breathability, Biles proved — with one innovative dress — that women can feel just as amazing as they look. No sacrifices required.

To elevate Athleta’s lightest, softest fabric to red-carpet status, Posen turned to embroidery, beading, and expertly refined cutlines. A layer of mesh was placed over the performance fabric, then accented with navy bugle beads to create a distinct shimmer and an all-over liquid effect. The silhouette preserved the tee’s signature open-back triangle — reworked in proportions perfectly tailored to Biles’s frame. The result? A dress that moved with her seamlessly, performing just as effectively under flashing lights as it would in yoga class.

As Biles glided across the red carpet, she radiated confidence, grace, and undeniable power. Her gown was just one part of the equation, but it helped cement her status as more than an iconic athlete. She’s also a force in the women’s empowerment space. After all, Athleta’s mission is rooted in helping women and girls build confidence, strength, and a sense of belonging through movement (aka the POWER OF SHE), and fashion — as well as trailblazers like Biles and Posen — can amplify the cause.

As we look ahead, it’s clear that athleticwear is no longer limited to working out, running errands, or lounging at home. It’s capable of so much more and this is only the beginning. Now we just need this muse-worthy tee in every color.