This is the first post in what will be an ongoing series in which I examine the fashion and style evolution of queer athletes. Inspired, in part, by the “-Ologies” series by fashion bloggers Tom + Lorenzo, my hope is to examine the different ways queer athletes express their personal style in public, and celebrate the range and diversity of queer expression (thanks to OOYL subscriber Becky K. for the “Out Fits” banner!). These posts will be free for everyone to read, but many hours of work goes into them and if you have the means to become a paid subscriber, I would really appreciate it!

We are kicking things off with the Papi herself, Natasha Cloud. Make sure you stay to the end, where I’ll show you how you can get Tash Cloud’s look.

When I decided to write about queer athlete fashion, I knew I wanted to ask the hosts of one of my favorite podcasts, Tunnel Wars, for their input. “The Crop Top Papi has one of the league’s most authentic and duplicated styles,” they told me.

“The perfectly cropped muscle shirts, the breezy button downs paired with the tailored pants, accessories ranging from Cartier frames to keffiyehs in the tunnel,” the Tunnel Wars hosts continued. “It’s undeniable – Tasha Cloud’s got that It factor.”

Below, a look at Cloud’s style evolution, and three hallmarks of her aesthetic that make it her own.

Players express themselves through their tunnel fits, but they also show elements of their aesthetic expression while in uniform. A look at Cloud’s media day photos throughout her career show subtle evidence of how her gender presentation has changed since she entered the WNBA in 2015, when she was drafted in the second round by the Washington Mystics.

In her 2016 media day photos, you can see that Cloud wore her hair down and relaxed, in a more feminine style. But by 2021, she had entered her masc top knot era, rocking the very popular hairstyle for butches and studs of all stripes. Her shorts are more fitted. She looks more confident and relaxed here, too, sporting more tattoos and a level of self-assurance that isn’t present in her earlier media day photos.

By 2025, Cloud has fully come into her identity and aesthetic. She wears her hair in twists and shows off a partial grill in her Media Day photos for her first season with the New York Liberty. She’s even got blingy jewelry to match her teeth. This is a player who isn’t afraid to stand out, both on and off the court.

“Joining the NY Liberty for the 2025 season – Cloud seamlessly integrated into the starting lineup,” the Tunnel Wars pod hosts told me. “Her dogged energy on defense creates space and opportunities for her teammates to score. She’s unselfish with the ball but she’s fiery in her self-advocacy against bad calls. She has the 2nd most technical fouls called in the league with 6 – just behind Angel Reese. Cloud plays with an unmatched fire and passion that translates to her activism off the court.”

That off-court activism inspires a major—and consistent—hallmark of Cloud’s personal style. Over the years, her political statements have progressed from graphic tees to rocking a keffiyeh in her tunnel walk.

Cloud is one of the few women’s sports athletes speaking up against the right-wing shift in the political climate or bringing awareness to the genocide in Palestine. She even took the 2020 Wubble season off from playing basketball to dedicate herself to fighting for racial justice following the death of George Floyd and subsequent uprising across the country.

Continuing in a long tradition of athlete activists like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Althea Gibson, and Muhammad Ali, Cloud uses her clothing as a way to help get her message across. Whether it’s via a tunnel fit, like with her keffiyah, or a concise message written onto her game shoes, Cloud finds a way to have her voice heard.

Whether it’s her hometown of Philly or her adopted hometown of wherever she’s currently playing (like when she was in Washington, D.C.), Cloud is full of hometown pride. She never misses an opportunity to shoutout her home—or adopted home.

But Cloud is a lovergirl at heart, as evidenced by the fact that she also reps the jersey of the people she dates.

That’s some real Pisces shit right there!

So you want to dress like Natasha Cloud?

I’ve put together a few outfits to give you a place to start. I made sure to include a papi crop, a statement tee, and some Philly rep! I’ve also made sure to have straight- and plus-sized options for everything. I tried to stay away from items that were too expensive, trying to provide style inspo for folks who don’t have the budget for designer goods. Full disclosure: the links are affiliate links so I do get commission if you buy anything from here!

Straight-Sized Options: Shirt: Connor Ives ($100, but there are plenty of dupes); Pants: Motel Nala Pleated Wide Leg Pinstripe Trouser ($95); Jacket: Levi’s Mixed Media Varsity Jacket ($110); Shoes: Doc Marten Ramsey Oxfords ($103); Hat: Revolve Joker Satin Hat ($55); Necklace: Vitaly Riot Chain ($175)

Plus-Size Options: Shirt: The Vivian Wilson Pride Tee ($48); Pants: ASOS DESIGN Curve Tailored Relaxed Straight Leg Pants ($48); Jacket: Fleece Relaxed Bomber Jacket ($80)

Straight-Sized Options: Shirt: Abercrombie Vintage-Inspired Cropped Tee ($29); Pants: Harri Pinstripe Jogger Pant ($69); Jacket: Levi’s Reversible Shacket ($120); Shoes: AIR JORDAN 1s—Teyana Taylor - A Rose From Harlem ($260); Hat: Philadelphia Stars 1940 Authentic Wool Standard Brim Negro Leagues Ballcap; Necklace: Vitaly Origin Chain ($135)

Plus-Size Options: Shirt: Old Navy Vintage Crew Neck Cropped Tee ($10); Pants: ASOS DESIGN Curve Barrel Leg Pants ($48); Jacket: Wildfang Essential Denim Ulility Jacket ($138)

Thanks to Corinne Fay, who writes the fabulous fat fashion newsletter, Big Undies, for letting me consult her on the best places to find cute plus-sized options for these look boards!