Malia Obama is putting her own effortlessly cool spin on one of the year's biggest sporty trends.
The 28-year-old filmmaker stepped out in West Hollywood this week in a relaxed look that perfectly bridged the final days of summer and the arrival of fall.
© Backgrid/The Grosby GroupMalia was photographed meeting a friend for coffee wearing an oversized blue sports jersey, embracing the soccer-inspired aesthetic that has moved beyond the field and into everyday street style.
Her blue short-sleeve jersey featured a contrasting black V-neck, red piping, Korean lettering and the number 27 across the front. According to the photo agency, the design was inspired by South Korea's 1998 World Cup kit, giving the casual piece a nostalgic sportswear feel.
© Backgrid/The Grosby GroupMalia paired the jersey with white straight-leg pants cropped above the ankle. She completed the look with black thong sandals and a colorful patchwork shoulder tote, an eclectic accessory that added a playful mix of prints and textures.
The former first daughter kept her beauty look equally relaxed. Her long braids were partially pulled back, with warm brown lengths framing her face, while rectangular black sunglasses rested on top of her head. Small hoop earrings and rings provided the finishing touches.
Malia puts her spin on the jersey trend:
Malia's latest outfit taps into the ongoing popularity of soccer jerseys as fashion, a trend that gained even more momentum around the 2026 World Cup.
Once reserved largely for match days, vintage and contemporary kits have increasingly been incorporated into everyday wardrobes, often styled with denim, skirts and more polished separates.
© Backgrid/The Grosby GroupMalia gave the trend her characteristically individual treatment. Instead of sneakers or other athletic staples, she teamed the oversized jersey with white pants, barely-there sandals and her colorful quilted tote, creating an unexpected mix of sporty and bohemian elements.
The combination also offered an easy lesson in transitional dressing. The jersey provided more coverage than a traditional summer top, while the lightweight white pants and open-toe sandals kept the outfit appropriate for Los Angeles' warm September weather.
From denim cutoffs to sporty layers:
The coffee outing came just a day after Malia was spotted enjoying the sunshine during a walk around her Los Angeles neighborhood in a decidedly more summery ensemble.
© Backgrid/The Grosby GroupFor the daytime stroll, she wore a fitted white cropped tank top with relaxed denim cutoffs featuring distressed, frayed hems. Malia tied a dark long-sleeve layer around her waist and carried a large black shoulder bag, finishing the understated look with black flip-flops, narrow sunglasses and wired earphones.
The two outfits offered a glimpse at Malia's approach to the tricky transition between seasons. One day called for quintessential summer staples, while the next saw her introduce a sportier layer and full-length pants without abandoning the easygoing sensibility of her warm-weather wardrobe.
© Backgrid/The Grosby GroupIt is a formula that has become increasingly recognizable in Malia's off-duty style. Rather than relying on highly polished or overtly glamorous looks, she frequently mixes relaxed silhouettes, vintage-inspired pieces and unexpected accessories for an aesthetic that feels distinctly her own.
Building a career behind the camera:
Malia's latest outings come as she continues to maintain a relatively low profile in Los Angeles while developing her career as a filmmaker. Days earlier, she was also photographed having lunch in Los Feliz with journalist Joshuah Bearman.
© Backgrid/The Grosby GroupProfessionally, Malia has been carving out an identity separate from her famous family. She worked as a writer on Donald Glover and Janine Nabers' series "Swarm" before making her directorial debut with the short film "The Heart," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024 under the name Malia Ann.
As her work behind the camera continues to evolve, her personal style appears to be following a similar path. Whether she's keeping things simple in denim cutoffs or putting an eclectic twist on the season's jersey trend, Malia continues to make LA street style unmistakably her own.
