JCPenney is stepping into the spotlight of women’s sports fashion with its new “Inside Lane” campaign, and Stefanie Dolson is all in. The WNBA champion is one of five standout athletes, alongside Audi Crooks, Gabriela Jaquez, KK Arnold, and Jackie Young, helping redefine tunnel fit culture by proving that style and confidence don’t have to come with a luxury price tag.
Stefanie Dolson Says JCPenney Partnership Is Personal
For Dolson, the collaboration isn’t just about fashion; it’s rooted in her upbringing. “I just think about what it means to people and what it means to me,” she told The Blast exclusively. “I grew up on JCPenney with my family and my two older sisters, so it was really important to me.”
She emphasized that affordability plays a major role in her personal style. “I love affordable clothes. For me, it’s more about the more, the better,” Dolson explained. “I think luxury brands can feel too high-end and just aren’t reachable for everyone.”
That accessibility is exactly what drew her to the campaign. “For me, I just love it. I love the accessibility of it. I love the style. And I just love what they’re doing,” she said of JCPenney.
Stefanie Dolson Gets Real About Fashion Struggles
Despite her success, Dolson admitted she hasn’t always felt included in the fashion world, especially due to her height and build. “Oh, 100%,” she said when asked if she’s ever felt excluded. “I think that’s more geared towards my height and size, though.”
At 6-foot-5, finding pieces that actually fit can be a challenge. “It’s really hard to find my size. It’s hard to find things like this jacket long enough,” she shared, showing off the jacket she was wearing and noting how meaningful it is when clothing fits properly. That’s why having accessible options that cater to a wider range of bodies matters so much to her.
Tunnel Fits Give Athletes A Voice Beyond The Game
Dolson also opened up about the rise of tunnel fashion, the pregame walk-in looks that have become a cultural moment in sports. “I feel like the NBA kind of started the trend,” she said, adding that it quickly evolved into something bigger.
Now, it’s about more than just outfits. “It gives everyone an inside look of who we are as people and shows them the creativity that we have as individuals,” Dolson explained. “It just gives us another platform to express ourselves.”
Dolson Gets Real About Tunnel Fit, Pressure, And Dressing For Herself
With that visibility, however, comes pressure. “Yes. Yeah, of course,” Dolson admitted when asked if she feels expected to deliver a look every time she walks through the tunnel. “It feels like if you miss a tunnel look sometimes, it’s like, you’re forgotten about or something.”
But her mindset has evolved over time. “The older I’ve gotten… I do it now for myself,” she said. “I love to dress up. I love to wear funky clothes. I love to dress for a theme.”
That shift has made fashion feel more authentic and more fun.
Stefanie Dolson Talks Women’s Basketball Boom, Confidence, And Style Inspiration
Dolson is also witnessing firsthand the surge in popularity surrounding women’s basketball. “It feels great,” she said. “I was just at the Final Four. And it’s just such an amazing environment.”
Still, she believes the sport hasn’t fully reached its potential. “I think we’re starting to get that… and get the recognition,” Dolson explained. “But I still think that there’s a long way to go for women’s sports in general.”
As a role model, Dolson hopes young fans focus less on trends and more on authenticity. “The world is about trends, right? With social media, everything is very trendy,” she said. “For me, I think having that confidence grows from finding yourself.”
Her message is simple but powerful: “For all the young girls, it would just be finding what feels true to them… within their style, within who they are as people.”
When it comes to fashion inspiration, Dolson didn’t hesitate. “Zendaya. Love her,” she said. “She’s an icon when it comes to looks… every theme is just so on point.”