Talk about track-fashion and two names strike the most: FloJo and Sha’Carri Richardson! Drawing parallels with the iconic Florence Griffith-Joyner, Richardson has emerged as the FloJo of the 2020s! Like the legendary sprinter, Richardson is making headlines not only for her exceptional speed on the track but also for her bold and unique fashion choices. And she continues to do that fearlessly.

Richardson exclaimed after winning the 100m US Olympic track and field trials with a time of 10.86 seconds, “I just want the world to know that I’m that girl.” Even NBC lauded her on their X handle, “The nails. The hair. The attitude. The speed.” Sha’Carri Richardson stands by her bold outfits, showcasing her style and cementing her status as a trendsetter.

Recently, in a Hypebeast article, Sha’Carri Richardson’s style statements were laid out, and her grand wigs, long lashes, and colorful nails took up major space. She ripping off her wing and flaunting her natural hair at the USATF Championship was quite a catch for many. Not only her hair, Richardson has experimented with mesh bodysuits and facial gemstones as well, demonstrating her edginess in the track-fashion world.

“I want my outfits to reflect how I feel but I also want to show that being or doing something different is okay. I really just wear whatever I want.” Her ‘sense of freedom’ is what she derives from her personal style.

Additionally, the 24-year-old was counted amongst track and field icons FloJo and her sister-in-law Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Sha’Carri seems to be adopting Joyner’s philosophy of “Dress good to look good. Look good to feel good. And it feels good to run fast!” An NBC commentator also asked the question that usually lingers in everybody’s minds: “Is she a little bit of Flo-Jo?” adding, “Maybe. But she is 100% Sha’Carri Richardson.” Sha’Carri Richarson is, therefore, not apologizing for being herself.

Though audiences were just getting used to her avant-garde style, her Nike collaboration raised some eyebrows. When Citrus Mag debuted pictures of the new Olympic costume, track and field viewers, who are known for being traditionalists, found it too revealing. The women’s uniform consisted of a leotard silhouette with a red base color featuring blue and white stripes.

American long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall even commented on Instagram, “Wait my hoo haa is gonna be out.” Despite criticism, Sha’Carri Richardson was involved in co-creating the signature line, and she debuted the outfit at the Nike Air Innovation Summit in Paris along with Athing Mu. When Richardson cut the $20M dollar deal with Nike, she vowed to stand by them. Though the Paris debut was a bold move, Richardson pulled it off effortlessly. 

Sha’Carri Richardson: Standing up for women undermined in the sports community

Nike’s recent controversy and Richardson being caught in the crossfire is nothing new. Women have always been undermined in the sports community, whether it is calling their “femininity” into question or their success. However, after Ricardson showed off the outfit at the Paris summit, many athletes mentioned how the initial shots revealed by Nike did not justice to uniforms. In response to the criticism, Nike highlighted the range of styles to choose from, emphasizing the “spectrum of styles” they offer. USA Track & Field also issued a statement emphasizing the numerous uniform options athletes get to choose from.

However, Richardson never issued an apology for blunt criticism. Though Richardson has created a bubble for herself with her friends and family in the recent past and does not respond to critics, she stated, “If you take away the ‘Black’ in front of the ‘woman’ and another woman reacts the same way, it’s not considered ‘sassy,’…[or] ‘aggressive,’” Flo-Jo and Richardson are part of a long history of Black female athletes who have had their success questioned. Fashion has been a shield and a spotlight for both Flo-Jo and Sha’Carri. Joyner’s bold and flamboyant style, including a one-legged spandex suit, shiny leggings, and extravagant nails, stole the audience’s attention. 

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For Joyner and Richardson, it’s not just about fashion. It was also about self-expression and honoring their culture. Especially the African-American community, which is known for elaborate weaves and bright, beautiful prints. Sha’Carri Richardson also uses her style to keep her loved ones close. Before the 2021 Tokyo Games, she mentioned that her orange wig was picked out by her girlfriend, as “it spoke to her, the fact that it was just so loud and vibrant, and that’s who I am.”