While some of us tune into sports for an actual love of the game, others are more interested in the fashion—the latter includes us. I would be lying, though, if I didn't admit that this summer has inspired a new affinity for sports for both me and my friends who had little to no interest before. I found myself in crowded bars shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers and sweating profusely with a beer held firmly in my palm while cheering on the Knicks. There was a buzz in New York City, a sense of community that I had never felt before that could only be felt through passing strangers looking at you and saying "Knicks in 5!" in lieu of a hello. This playoff run put WAGS front and center, decked out in orange and blue and, in the case of Jordyn Woods, with a lucky handbag in tow. This, in a way, repositioned the WAG as an important and influential figure in the player's lives, rather than an accessory.

So yes, I am now a sports fan but also, I've always been a fashion fan—and who does fashion better than the wives and girlfriends of the athletes themselves? And, now that we think about it, when did the term WAG come about?

Ahead, we're breaking down the history of the WAG.

The 2006 World Cup

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We can all collectively agree that Victoria Beckham is the OG WAG—the term was created for her in the British press in 2002 and really made a mark in modern vocabulary in 2006, after all. Beckham, alongside other notable wives like Cheryl Cole and Coleen Rooney, sat in the stands at the 2006 World Cup in Germany in oversized sunglasses, graphic tees, and mini shorts, and the rest was history—the public would, for better or for worse, be forever fascinated with the glamorous lives of these women and, of course, what they were wearing. They were officially under a microscope, and not for their own work or careers. While it has, as of late, sort of been rebranded, the term carried negative connotations. Essentially, it positions these women as accessorizes to their athlete husbands and doesn't acknowledge them as individuals with their own lives.

A Slew Of Famous WAGS

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Since then, we've had our fair share of super famous WAGS: Gabrielle Union, Ciara, Gisele Bündchen, Kendall Jenner, and, more recently, Taylor Swift, Simone Biles, Hailee Steinfeld, Jordyn Woods, and Kim Kardashian. The general public would patiently await photos from court side, suites, and the stands for the sake of getting a glimpse of their outfits. Did they dress up or did they dress down? Are they wearing the team colors or merch? These are the important questions.

Taylor Swift's WAG powers reached a point where people were tuning into Kansas City Chiefs games just to spot her cheering on her now husband Travis Kelce—she brought in about 4 million new female football watchers, just so you can understand the magnitude of her impact.

The 2026 WAG

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When I think of the 2026 WAG, I think of custom looks. I think of seizing the opportunity to turn a whole playoff and championship run into your own personal fashion event. I immediately think of the wives and girlfriends of the New York Knicks. Shannon Hart and Ali Brunson frequently wore clothes customized with their husband's name or number—and had their small children dressed to match.

Jordyn Woods, who has been engaged to Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns since Christmas Eve 2025, was frequently spotted carrying an orange faux-ostrich bag from her brand Woods By Jordyn—this bag saw an undefeated winning streak. The one time the Knicks lost? When Donald Trump's attendance resulted in a no bag policy. Coincidence? I think not. That's just the power of a WAG.