Simone Biles’ Fashion Moments Showcase Why We Adore Her

At 27, Simone Biles is the most-decorated gymnast of all time, boasting 11 Olympic and 30 World Championship medals. As she graced the floor at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Biles aimed to deliver a performance for the ages after withdrawing from the 2021 Tokyo Games to protect her mental and physical health. As a Black woman in the public eye, she faces more scrutiny than her White peers, who set the aesthetic norms in gymnastics. This dynamic is explored in her new Rising docuseries on Netflix.

Specifically, Biles has faced criticism for her fashion choices and hairstyles from internet trolls, but her devoted fans admire her refusal to conform. Rather than spending time laying her edges to appease haters, the “Courage to Soar” author focuses on perfecting seemingly impossible gymnastics skills—five of which are already named after her. While her Olympic success has propelled her to mainstream celebrity status, Biles remains a professional athlete who spends most of her time in workout clothing or a leotard.

After making waves at the 2016 Rio Games, where she began walking red carpets and mingling with stars like Beyoncé and Ariana Grande, Biles has extended her presence beyond the gym. Her fashion evolution is a testament to her growing confidence and influence both on and off the mat.

Biles wasn’t even old enough to legally drink when she competed in her first Olympic Games. Still, she brought home three gold and one silver medal for her efforts in Rio alongside teammates Gabby Douglas, Madison Kocian, Laurie Hernandez, and Aly Raisman. Raisman, then team captain, helped calm Biles’ nerves as they competed for first place. From her earliest performances, it’s been clear that the under-five-foot starlet exudes confidence, a trait that shines through in her competition outfits as well.

What sets Biles apart is her precision and attention to detail. She’s achieved impressive scores since her early days, and this meticulousness extends to her clothing and performance attire. Sometimes, she has to dress in sync with other Team USA gymnasts, but she finds ways to stand out, such as coordinating sparkly eyeliner with her outfit at the 2016 Games.

After establishing herself as a GOAT (greatest of all time) in her sport, Biles returned to competition in 2021 with a bedazzled goat symbol on her white leotard. This kind of symbolism has appeared on other outfits as well, always keeping fans on the lookout for new ways she celebrates herself through fashion. Even amid the pandemic, Biles showcased her signature style, matching her eyeliner to her purple bedazzled face mask.

Biles feels most at home in the gym, during practice or competition, or relaxing at the house she shares with her husband, Jonathan Owens. Her fame skyrocketed after being selected to carry the torch for Team USA during the 2016 Olympic Closing Ceremony. Following the Games, Biles was in high demand, from snapping selfies with G-Eazy at the MTV Video Music Awards to sitting beside Anna Wintour at New York Fashion Week.

From her red carpet debut as a young adult to her first Met Gala in 2021, Biles’ fashion journey has been remarkable. Since facing the “twisties” at the Tokyo Games, she’s stepped back from the spotlight to focus on healing and competing but keeps fans updated via Instagram. Whether she’s rocking a dress and heels or going makeup-free in sweatpants, Biles exudes confidence. She has learned to show up for and love herself inside and out, making her an enduring inspiration.