Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith enjoys the best of both worlds while being in the WNBA. One planet in Smith’s universe emulates a rock star band on tour, playing in sold-out arenas while trying to hold onto the league’s final playoff spot. Her other planet lets her live out her fashion dreams while shopping at luxury stores nationwide.
As Smith travels from city to city, averaging 11.6 points and 7.6 rebounds this season, she loves popping into her favorite store, Louis Vuitton, with all the bespoke nuances the luxury brand adds to its locations.
“I love Louis Vuitton,” Smith told Andscape. “I like how they put out a lot of clothes and shoes that have bright colors and different designs on them. My favorite pair is the green version from the Tyler, the Creator and Louis Vuitton collaboration.”
The 2019 NCAA champion never orders her Louis Vuitton Trainers online. Instead, she prefers the full in-store experience. “If I’m going to pay $1,000 for a pair of shoes, I want all parts of the experience and I’m going to get my money’s worth. I want the custom bottles of water and champagne, everything.”
Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith arrives at the arena before the game against the Las Vegas Aces on July 2 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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Smith first realized her love of styling when she was in college and began to earn her own money. She prides herself on never using a stylist and was elated to begin executing the outfits in her mind once she started attending Baylor University.
The three-time All-Big 12 First-Team member credits her parents for always doing what they could to ensure she had access to the latest styles.
“The first shoe that made me say, ‘Oh, my goodness, I have to have these,’ was definitely the ‘Powder Blue’ Jordan 3s,” Smith said. “My parents would always do this thing, trying to make me think I wouldn’t get the shoe, but then they would end up getting it for me.”
When Smith was on her way to becoming the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022 and the Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2021, she mainly incorporated neutral tones into her outfits. Getting fly meant pairing her favorite Jordans with a matching fitted sweatsuit.
These days, the 2021 Wade Trophy winner enjoys looking back at her own “glo-up.” She said if the outfit is from college but still up on her Instagram, it indicates she’s proud of it and enjoys now having the means to take her game-day style up a few notches.
Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith arrives at the arena before the game against the Washington Mystics on June 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith arrives at the arena before the game against the Phoenix Mercury on June 30 at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
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“One of my favorite outfits this season was what I wore when we played the Phoenix Mercury away for the first time,” Smith said. “I liked another outfit I wore with an oversized jersey and Timberlands. The jersey look was definitely inspired by the ’90s. I really like the super-baggy look. My second favorite would probably be when I wore a New York jacket.”
After the Fever drafted Smith as the second overall pick in 2022, Puma added the 23-year-old forward to its women’s basketball roster. Although she has several different Puma sneakers at her disposal, she tends to favor one specific model, preferably in bold, brash colors.
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Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith wearing the Puma x LaMelo Ball MB.02 “Nickelodeon Slime” during the game on July 17 at the College Park Center in Arlington, TX. She favors wearing Ball’s sneakers because “Melos always come in crazy colorways.”
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Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith wearing the violet-hued Puma x LaMelo Ball MB.01 “Queen City” during a game against the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19 in Indianapolis.
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Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith wearing the Puma x LaMelo Ball MB.01 “Golden Child” during the game against the New York Liberty on July 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. “I like to stand out when I am on the court.”
“I only like to wear LaMelos when I’m playing,” Smith said. “I like to stand out when I am on the court, and I don’t like to look like anyone else. The Melos always come in crazy colorways.”
As Smith continues to grow in the WNBA, she aims to incorporate vibrant colors into her signature look.
“My mom always tells me that she has a really easy time pointing me out on the court because I always have on the brightest and most colorful shoes. Over the years, I really have made that my thing and I try to stay away from the boring black and white shoes.”
Alexis Davis is a former Rhoden Fellow. She loves styling suits with sneakers and can name any sneaker you show her. She quit basketball to cheer in high school but hopes the women’s basketball coverage she does now makes the sport forgive her for going to the other side of the sideline.