The Best and Worst Dressed at Indian Wells 2016

When it comes to tennis fashion, the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells gives players a chance to showcase alternative versions of outfits they wore at the Australian Open. 

For instance, Serena Williams rocked a new hue of her Aussie Open dress. It's even more delightful in blue. 

A slight change in color or style makes a huge difference. A couple of players who landed on worst-dressed lists before appear among the best in this ranking simply because of a better color combination.

One such player is Milos Raonic, whose New Balance kit in red, gray and black shows better than the blue and black version he wore in Melbourne. 

The good thing about the looks at Indian Wells is that even the worst dressed weren't awful. Well, maybe Bethanie Mattek Sands reaches the truly terrible threshold.

However, everyone else on the worst-dressed list was simply worse than the otherwise put-together field at the 2016 BNP Paribas Open. 

The following are the best- and worst-dressed players at Indian Wells. 

Best: Camila Giorgi

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Camila Giorgi keeps her eyes on the ball at the 2016 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Camila Giorgi's ensemble is a familiar design, a look she wears often. The sporty tank with orange accents complements the frilly skirt. It's a great look for her, which is probably why she wears it so often. 

Worst: Bethanie Mattek Sands

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Bethanie Matteks Sands hits a volley during a match at the BNP Paribas Open.

Never one to miss an opportunity to display bad taste, Bethanie Mattek Sands crosses the fine line between frilly and frivolous with this orange skirt and mesh top combo. Of course, she threw in her trademark knee-high socks and neon-colored hair. What's the point here? 

Best: Heather Watson

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Heather Watson hits a backhand during a match at the 2016 BNP Paribas Open.

Heather Watson's simple yet stylish New Balance kit affirms the less-is-more sentiment. Sometimes clothing designers try so hard to stand out, they miss the mark. This hot pink tank with orange accents is stunningly refreshing.

Sure, racy or crazy outfits turn heads, but this is more appealing to average recreational players. 

Worst: Nicole Gibbs

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Nicole Gibbs hits a backhand during a match at the BNP Paribas Open.

Wearing essentially the same style, colors and brand as Watson, Nicole Gibbs goes awry with the white-striped pink skirt and orange sweatbands.

It's difficult to tell in this picture if the black around the top of the tank is trim or exposed sports bra. Either way, it clashes with the skirt, which would make for a cute outfit if paired with another top. 

Best: Venus Williams

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Venus Williams during her match at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

Venus Williams' return to Indian Wells was short-lived. However, this timeless floral-print dress is unforgettable. 

The lovely blue floral outfit is from EleVen by Venus' Camilla Rose collection. The nice cutout in the back makes this perfect for transitioning from the courts to brunch. 

Worst: Danka Kovinic

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Danka Kovinic hits a forehand during the BNP Paribas Open.

Prints can be pretty, but they need to make sense. The stuck-on printed collar and matching swatches on the side of Danka Kovinic's tank look odd and out of place. Why would an athlete in activewear need a faux collar? It's as silly as those tuxedo T-shirts, which are at least designed in jest. 

Best: Milos Raonic

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Milos Raonic serves during a match at the BNP Paribas Open.

When Raonic wore a similar New Balance kit at the 2015 U.S. Open, he made the worst-dressed list. The difference? This look has larger blocks of color. Unlike the sloppy-looking maroon and orange stripes he wore at the U.S. Open, this sleek red and gray offering gives Raonic a more polished look. 

And we know by his hair and serve that sloppy is so not his style. 

Worst: Illya Marchenko

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Illya Marchenko hits a forehand during a match at the 2016 BNP Paribas Open.

Unlike Raonic, who landed on the best-dressed list with a new color for a worst-list design, Illya Marchenko brings a winning design to the worst list.

This palm trees design by Hydrogen worn by Marchenko was a hit when Simone Bolelli wore lime green and blue versions at the Australian Open. 

But the white-on-white sleeves softens the bold statement intended for this design. This demonstrates how bad color choices can ruin good designs. 

Best: Stan Wawrinka

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Stan Wawrinka hits a forehand during a match at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

Think back to the Australian Open when Stan Wawrinka wore a eye-blinding bright orange and yellow outfit. He's wearing the same Yonex design at Indian Wells, but this time it's in black and gray. What a difference a change in color can make. 

That hot mess he wore in Melbourne landed him on the worst-dressed list. In bold black and gray, it's a smash. 

Best: Serena Williams

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Serena Williams hits a forehand during a match at the BNP Paribas Open.

Serena waited until her second match to unveil this cute outfit. She had been hiding the cutoff top under a long-sleeved tunic.

Instead of the bright yellow she wore at the Aussie Open, she opted for baby blue. The blue looks better.