When Simone Biles stepped onto the red carpet at the 2025 ESPY Awards, everyone expected a "moment." After all, she’s basically the queen of the sports world. But she didn't just wear a pretty dress. She wore a piece of engineering that kind of blurs the line between high-fashion couture and the stuff you wear to the gym.
Honestly, it shouldn't have worked. A red carpet gown made by an activewear brand? It sounds like a recipe for a "What Were They Thinking?" list. Instead, the Simone Biles ESPYS 2025 custom gown became the most talked-about look of the night, mostly because it managed to be impossibly glamorous while being made of the exact same fabric as her favorite workout shirt.
The Secret Ingredient: High-Performance Couture
The dress was a collaboration between Simone’s long-time partner, Athleta, and the legendary Zac Posen. If you know Posen, you know he’s the guy who usually makes structured, architectural gowns for the Met Gala. Here, he had a different challenge: make the G.O.A.T. look like a goddess using performance spandex.
Basically, Posen took the design DNA of Athleta’s "Transcend Open Back Tee"—a shirt Simone has publicly obsessed over for years—and elongated it into a midnight blue masterpiece.
The gown featured:
- A deep, open-back silhouette that mimicked the workout top.
- A dramatic fishtail train that added some much-needed "red carpet" weight.
- Thousands of hand-sewn bugle beads that caught the light like a disco ball.
- A modified square neckline that showed off her tattoos and jewelry.
It’s weird to think about a gown having "four-way stretch," but that’s exactly what happened. Simone actually told reporters on the carpet that she chose this route because she wanted to be 100% comfortable. No stiff corsets. No itchy tulle. Just the comfort of her training gear disguised as a high-fashion statement.
Why Zac Posen and Athleta Teamed Up
Since Posen took over as the creative director across Gap Inc.’s portfolio (which includes Athleta), he’s been trying to inject some "couture soul" into everyday brands. This was his biggest stage yet. He reportedly started working on the gown in May 2025, right after the Met Gala, and used a mannequin built to Simone’s exact 4'8" proportions to ensure the beading didn't overwhelm her frame.
Simone didn’t even see the final version until right before she hit the Dolby Theatre carpet. Talk about trust.
The Viral Red Carpet Moment (And a Little Drama)
It wasn't just the dress making headlines. Her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, was right there with her. He was basically her unofficial "glam squad" for the night. There’s a video floating around of him meticulously straightening her train and even moving her hair so it wouldn't stick to her lip gloss.
Kinda cute, right?
But because the internet is the internet, there was some debate about the fit. Some fashion critics on Reddit and Twitter (well, X) argued that the middle section—around the hip and thigh—looked a little "distracted." People were debating if it was a seam issue or just the nature of using performance fabric for a floor-length gown.
The consensus? Who cares. She looked like she was glowing. Plus, she walked away with two of the biggest awards of the night: Best Female Athlete and Best Championship Performance. When you're winning that much, the seam placement on your hip is a pretty minor detail.
How to Get the Look (Sorta)
You probably can't get Zac Posen to hand-bead a midnight blue gown for you, but the foundation of the look is surprisingly accessible.
- The Fabric: The gown uses Athleta’s Transcend fabric. It’s a Vitasea-style material that’s thin, buttery, and very forgiving.
- The Silhouette: Look for "open back" maxi dresses in navy or midnight blue. The key is the "V" or triangular cut-out in the back.
- The Glow: Simone paired the look with EFFY Jewelry diamonds and a sleek, glossy bob. If you're going for this vibe, keep the hair simple so the back of the dress can do the talking.
Fashion with a Purpose
What's really interesting is why she chose navy blue. While she usually goes for "patriotic" colors as a nod to Team USA, she told Sports Illustrated that for the 2025 ESPYS, she wanted something that felt "regal but grounded."
She’s at a point in her career where she doesn't have to prove anything. The dress reflected that. It wasn't trying too hard. It was a 28-year-old woman who knows exactly who she is, wearing a brand she actually uses, designed by a man she actually trusts.
The Simone Biles ESPYS 2025 custom gown might have been a "marketing win" for Athleta, but for fashion nerds, it was a successful experiment in what happens when you prioritize the athlete's comfort over the designer's ego.
Actionable Takeaway for Your Next Big Event
If you're taking notes from Simone’s 2025 style playbook, the lesson is simple: Comfort is the ultimate flex. Next time you have a formal event, look for "athleisure-adjacent" formal wear. Brands are increasingly using tech-fabrics (like scuba, jersey, and high-end spandex) in evening wear. You can look like a ten and still be able to breathe, sit, and move without a wardrobe malfunction. Check out Athleta's current "Transcend" line if you want to feel the specific fabric that inspired a gown fit for the G.O.A.T.