Among the three jersey editions, the “Rebel”—as the name suggests—go the hardest in trying to express inspiring themes of female empowerment. These are the top five:
WASHINGTON MYSTICS
Black women played a crucial role in the suffragist movement, yet their full enfranchisement didn't culminate with the 19th Amendment. It was, however, a start to a new decades long struggle to secure voting rights for all Americans. pic.twitter.com/RnQJyoZjq6
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) April 8, 2021
From the colorway to the wordings, the Washington Mystics jersey did DC things. The colorway is inspired by the 2017 Women’s March. The word “RISE” is boldly embedded front and center, a call to stand up for women’s rights. Around the gold trim of the jersey is the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, which first gave women the right to vote in 1920. These are deep, important themes to have on a basketball jersey, and as the hidden tag on the uniform proudly states: shall not be denied.
INDIANA FEVER
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗟
— Indiana Fever ?????🏀 (@IndianaFever) April 8, 2021
» https://t.co/0moaUCXeo4 pic.twitter.com/dgFBr23xef
The Indiana Fever’s Rebel uniform pays homage to Stranger Things, a Netflix sci-fi series that features a powerful female character named Eleven. The font, the shade of red, and the Upside Down background (with a bonus “011” on the short belt buckle) are all nods to the show. Stranger Things is set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, but there’s nothing fictional in the superpower that Fever players will wield once they put on these threads.
CHICAGO SKY
𝙒𝙃𝘼𝙏 𝘾𝙀𝙄𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙂?
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) April 8, 2021
These Rebel Edition unis hit different. 💙🥶 pic.twitter.com/Udrf2aVUYq
One look at the Chicago Sky Rebel uniform and you can almost hear glass shattering. They went with a blue hue and shattered lines that looked more art piece than basketball gear. The design serves as a reminder that women will always break through glass ceilings, shatter expectations, and punch up. How high up? It’s right there in their team name.
SEATTLE STORM
Fight for Equality.#TakeCover pic.twitter.com/EBYt88Pz4s
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) April 8, 2021
The Rebel uniform of the defending champs Seattle Storm is not playing around. It pays tribute to female empowerment, using a sweeping gray sash across the front. It’s also in black with a hint of grunge on the faded team name and number, making it the perfect get-up for rocking all the way back to the finals.
NEW YORK LIBERTY
Empire of Us.#WNBARebelEdition pic.twitter.com/vIZzJGpiIT
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 8, 2021
There’s a subtle yet strong message in the New York Liberty Rebel uniform. If the color of the Statue of Liberty doesn’t quite get you, then the word “Equality” on the front with the burning torch as the “i” will. New York Liberty has long been fighting for social justice, this time they’ll get to don the appropriate attire in continuing the fight.
