Ahead of the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, the Washington Spirit unveiled brand new “Spirit in Bloom” kits. The abstract floral designs represent the capital city and its famous cherry blossoms. “This one feels loud and super individualized to who we are,” 24-year-old midfielder Hal Hershfelt tells Teen Vogue during the team’s fan festival on March 7.
Defender Gabrielle Carle, 27, notes that it’s not common to see sports jerseys that feature art used in regular play—typically they’re solid colors or geometric patterns. But it’s fitting that the Spirit would do it: “We have a young, fun, hungry team and that’s why people love to watch us,” Hershfelt says, explaining how the jerseys reflect players' energy.
Even with matching jerseys, the women who make up the Washington Spirit each have a distinct style on and off the field. Hershfelt matched her nails to her bright yellow jersey during the playoffs last season, and for the new kits, she opted for dark green chrome. Carle’s high ponytail flowed behind her as she paced the field last season, though she’s thinking about trying the trendy slick-back mid-level ponytail now. And forward Trinity Rodman often lights up the field with fashion colors in her hair.
“We approach sports and game differently than the men, and we bring a completely different aspect,” says Carle. “I think us being able to showcase a little bit of that creativity in our outfits and our personalities is something that is a strength for women’s sports, and something that I think draws different audiences to women’s sport.”
Off the field, athletes have a little more flexibility with their style, and the Spirit players certainly take full advantage of that. Whether dressing up for game-day arrival photos or having fun with looks on social media, players are often seen wearing a wide range of choices, including an upcycled skirt made of ties and a Labubu.
Carle was born in Québec, and she says the culture there gives her style a more “European” and “business-casual” vibe. That's especially fitting for an Olympic gold medalist who just passed her MCAT. “We all have different ways of dressing up and showing our culture and personalities,” she adds.
Midfielder Deborah Abiodun, 23, hails from Nigeria and has repped her home country with her walk-in looks, alongside 24-year-old forward Gift Monday. “I’m big on culture especially, so every opportunity I get to show myself, I try to bring a little of where I’m from and how much that means to me,” Abiodun explains.
“Where I’m from, [there’s] not a lot of publicity about women’s soccer, or women’s sports in general," she continues. "Now that women’s sports has started to gain publicity, rightfully deserved, it means so much to me because you can see the importance you play to the younger generation, and the older ones—everything they’ve done, their efforts, and their dedication.”
Hershfelt, who often chronicles the Spirit’s behind-the-scenes moments on her social media (bun checks and tiny mic questions with her teammates often fill the feed), doesn’t take any of it for granted. Of the more recent rise in viewership, she says, “This is something we’ve had to fight for, to be able to express ourselves freely and feel confident and kick ass on the field, but also be like, ‘Look, I am a persona, a brand, a presence.’”
On a more personal note, she adds, “It’s also just so fun for people to feel like they can connect with players through style. For young girls looking up to athletes, it’s cool to see someone who looks like them. Like, you see it with Trin and the little girls wearing the pink braids.”
As fans fill the festival, there are plenty of examples: the way they do their hair, how they passionately talk about the sport, how they cheer for the team. In all of these instances, the players’ impact on the next generation is easy to see.
On March 13, the Washington Spirit play their home opener in their new jerseys, bringing the cherry blossoms to DC a little earlier this year.
