WNBA Fashion: Bold, Loud and Fun in Portland

Our very own West Coast sports insider, Radio Room Astrology, was present earlier this month at an incredible event highlighting fashion in the WNBA, or the W as so many people have been calling the league lately. From fashion to pastries, Sarah of Radio Room dove into the weird mystical portal of Portland and wrote about it all for you to enjoy. Cheers!

Who: This exhibition is a collaboration of Liberated Archives for Black Lives powered by Don’t Shoot Portland

What: “This exhibit is the continuation of the photobook A Women’s Basketball Fashion Archive: The Fitted Wby photographer Hypatia Sorunke who traveled to 50+ WNBA games during the historic 2024 Season to build an archive of over 1200+ images of attendees.”

Where: 401 SW 5th Ave., Portland, OR 97204

When: Now – Ends August 28, 2026

I’m Sarah with Sports Astrology Network, currently in Portland, Oregon to check out the exhibit on women’s basketball fan fashion during the 2024 season. This is a collaboration of Liberated Archives for Black Lives powered by Don’t Shoot Portland. Make sure you stop by if you’re in the area. It ends soon on August 28th. Bold! Bold colors and outfits.

The fans that dressed up often went 110% when they did. Felt very “Leo” in a fun, creative, lively, and courageous way. Which couldn’t be more fitting since the WNBA inception chart is a Leo rising with a top-of-the chart prominent Sun.

In my mind this is another example of how sports are such a wonderful outlet for the “too” crowd. The too much, too loud, too obnoxious, too competitive, and so on. Sporty places have repeatedly shown me it is a safe space to be all of those things.

Clearly fan fashion reflects that here, at least in my opinion! I would love to see another project for the finals this year or something for next season. Or even the upcoming MNBA season. I wonder what the fans think of the name Portland Power vs. the current Portland Fire. I thought it was cool they had the inaugural Portland Fire game ball on display. I would have loved to have been able to pick the brain of the artist while I was visiting the gallery, but I am still glad I went and got to see the shots and incredible outfits.

From coast-to-coast people were happy to show their team spirit and enthusiasm through loud, creative, and statement outfits, costumes, and even hairstyles. People have been showing up and supporting women’s basketball for years. Catch up! I loved the jean jacket that had patches from a bunch of teams. Loved seeing the Sonics represented. Obviously the purple/yellow/orange amazing hair picture is incredible. And the goofs in the Lady Liberty costumes were great too.

Classic Powells, staple of the City of Roses.

Didn’t have time to go inside but I know Gracey will have a table there one day to do a book signing!

Made the obligatory stop at Voodoo. I especially enjoyed that my Voodoo doughnut guy had Sonics/Storm colored frosting. Blunts for the girls. Gorgeous day with gorgeous trees. Sunny albeit smokey skies. Always pleasantly surprised by how little traffic there is in this city compared to Seattle. This is getting much too charming and wholesome. Stay away. It smelled like piss and blah unsafe blah blah drugs and such blah. Quick pass by Moda Center.

Despite being a Washingtonian who enjoys talking shit to our PNW rival, I love our weird little neighbor very much.

Lots of memories of visiting the city over the years…most often to go to a Trailblazer game. Portland is a gem of a city and they love their basketball! There are rumblings in the city that are much too similar to what happened in Seattle nearly 20 years ago. Don’t you dare!

[EDIT: crisis averted] No idea why the Seattle traffic sign had the word “Mars” spray painted on it but as an astrologer I enjoyed the little wink from the universe.

Bring back the I-5 rivalry: MNBA edition! Also, bring us a bullet train running along the coast. For the love of…please can we make “Cascadia” happen

or can we borrow Mamdani for a couple weeks? Best of luck to the Fire as they finish out the season and can’t wait to catch Dame and Ja when the men’s season starts this fall!

Keep it weird,
Radio Room