Coco Gauff’s Hoodie Obsession: A Teenage Fashion Fixation Curbed by Mom’s Intervention
Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis phenom and world No. 3, has always been more than just a baseline powerhouse—she’s a style icon whose wardrobe evolution mirrors her growth from junior sensation to Grand Slam champion. But in a candid revelation during her Wuhan Open press conference on October 8, 2025, Gauff admitted to a teenage “addiction” to one wardrobe staple: hoodies. “I used to be a hoodie connoisseur. I owned, like, 70-something hoodies,” she confessed with a laugh, crediting her mother Candi Gauff for stepping in to halt the hoarding spree. “My mom had told me I had to stop buying hoodies and then, I don’t know. I think when I turned, like maybe 17 or 18, I just stopped.”
The Hoodie Phase: A Gen-Z Comfort Staple
Gauff’s hoodie obsession kicked off in her early teens, a phase she now looks back on with amusement. Growing up in Atlanta, the future US Open (2023) and French Open (2025) winner found solace in the oversized, cozy garments amid her rigorous training schedule. “It was all about the comfort,” she explained. “I’d wake up, grab a hoodie, and that was the outfit for the day—whether it was practice or just hanging out.” Her collection ballooned to over 70, spanning brands from Nike to Supreme, with favorites including vintage college sweatshirts and graphic prints inspired by her Disney Channel days, where she idolized Zendaya’s “Shake It Up” looks.
This wasn’t just casual wear; hoodies became Gauff’s uniform during her homeschooling years, blending practicality with self-expression. “I was obsessed with whatever Zendaya or Coco Jones wore,” she recalled in a May 2025 Fashionista interview. “Even though they probably hate those outfits now, at the time, I loved it.” Her mom, Candi—a former track athlete and teacher—noticed the excess when Gauff’s closet overflowed, prompting the intervention around age 17. “She was like, ‘Enough is enough—you’re turning into a hoodie zombie!'” Gauff joked, adding that the “tough love” forced her to diversify.
Mom’s Role: The Family Anchor in Gauff’s Rise
Candi Gauff’s influence extends far beyond fashion policing; she’s been Coco’s emotional rock since the family’s move to Florida for tennis training at age 7. As the matriarch of a family of athletes—husband Corey coached Coco initially, while brothers Codey and Cameron pursue basketball—Candi balanced discipline with encouragement. “They’re just really my support system,” Gauff said after her 2025 French Open win, crediting her parents for scouting reports and outfit reminders. The hoodie crackdown was classic Candi: Firm but fair, teaching Coco about balance in a sport that demands it.
Gauff’s style has since matured into a mix of streetwear and femininity, often blending masculine-feminine elements like baggy pants with skirts. “Some days I wake up feeling really feminine… other days like a tomboy,” she told WTA Tennis in April 2025. Her New Balance partnership, signed at 14, now includes custom CG2 sneakers and Miu Miu collaborations, but the hoodie lesson lingers: “It depends on the mood—which is why it’s hard for me to plan outfits in advance.”
Gauff’s Fashion Evolution: From Hoodie Hoarder to Trendsetter
Today, Gauff’s closet reflects her Gen-Z flair: Loose-fitting streetwear for off-court days, bold colors on the baseline (like her mismatched splotch outfit at the 2021 French Open with Venus Williams), and high-fashion nods at events. Her 2025 earnings—over $15 million, including endorsements—afford the variety, but the hoodie era taught her restraint. “I’m not very talented in a lot of things, so clothes are a way to express myself,” she shared in Vogue’s April 2024 cover story.
As Gauff eyes the WTA Finals in Riyadh (November 2-9), where she’s the defending champion, her mom’s intervention feels like a metaphor for her career: Curbed obsessions pave the way for balanced brilliance. From 70 hoodies to Grand Slam glory, Gauff’s style—and story—proves evolution is the ultimate power move.
| Gauff’s Style Phases | Key Looks | Mom’s Influence |
|———————-|———–|—————–|
| Teen Hoodie Era (Age 13-17) | Oversized Nike/Supreme sweatshirts; Disney-inspired prints | “Stop buying hoodies!”—curbed the collection |
| Streetwear Transition (Age 18-20) | Baggy pants, ties with skirts; New Balance customs | Encouraged variety for self-expression |
| Current Trendsetter (Age 21+) | Miu Miu x New Balance collabs; feminine-tomboy mixes | Balance in fashion mirrors on-court focus |
Gauff’s hoodie admission? A reminder that even champions start with simple comforts—and wise moms know when to intervene.
