It’s U.S. Open time, so New York City is infected with tennis fever that only a trip out to Flushing Meadows can cure.  I caught it too, and even though I don’t follow tennis generally, I was thrilled to go to the women’s semi-finals this evening.

First, the bad news.  Serena Williams lost.  This is actually the second time I’ve see her lose, having been at her epic match against Roberta Vinci last year that ended her Grand Slam bid.  I know in some weird sports juju way of thinking I could be her bad luck charm (especially since these are, like, the only tennis matches I’ve been to in my entire life), but more likely she probably psyched herself out with memories of last year.

Now, the good news.  When I first went to the U.S. Open last year, I had no idea what to wear.  I even Googled “what to wear at the U.S. Open” to get some ideas.  But, thankfully, I think I landed on a great selection this year.  I picked a vibrant green Altuzarra dress and Sam Edelman espadrilles, both of which I got on Net-a-Porter (http://www.net-a-porter.com).  I think a dress is always a good call for a tennis match, and I thought the fitted top with the pleated skirt definitely had a tennis vibe (abeit A LOT less revealing).  I know a number of people think “tennis whites,” but even the players are shaking it up and adding big splashes of color, so I did that too.  And the espadrilles are amazing.  Closed-toe with a little bit of height, and so easy to walk in (and there can be a lot of walking around).

AND I felt totally validated because Ms. Vogue herself, Anna Wintour, was sitting four rows in front of me and was wearing something similar … a colorful, midi-length dress (it looked like Carolina Herrera).  Of course, she was wearing heels with hers, which I did last year and really don’t recommend.  Believe it or not, there are limits to how uncomfortable I will be for fashion.

Here’s a closer look at the dress and shoes:

 And, just for fun, a picture of Serena serving: