Outside the Lines: Grace Deane

Balancing life as a Leicester Tigers centre with a full-time career away from rugby, Grace Deane brings the same authenticity to every part of her life.

Confident, colourful and unapologetically herself, Deane's style reflects a personality that has grown alongside her rugby journey. As her confidence on the pitch has developed, so too has her willingness to express herself beyond it.

Currently recovering from an ACL injury, she shares her love of bold colours, collecting rugby jerseys from around the world and why staying true to yourself matters wherever you are.

How would you describe your personal style?

Comfortable, sporty and colourful. I like clothes that are easy to wear but still have personality.

What does a typical off-day outfit look like to you?

I work full0time alongside rugby, so my off days are usually spent in the office. My wardrobe is quite professional, but I love adding colourful shirts or bold patterns that still let me express who I am. It’s important for me to feel like myself while still looking professional.

Do you think your style has changed since playing at the highest level of rugby?

Definitely. I started playing rugby when I was 21, and as my rugby career has accelerated, my confidence has grown alongside it. That includes confidence in my body, in my fashion choices and even in speaking publicly. As I’ve become more comfortable in myself, that’s naturally been reflected in my style.

Do you think feeling confident in what you wear off the pitch feeds into your confidence on it, or do you think that’s just a completely separate thing?

For me, they’re one in the same. Because I’m not a full-time athlete, it would be easy for my professional life and rugby life to feel quite separate. I work hard to make sure I’m the same authentic person in both spaces. Whether I’m in the office or on the pitch, feeling comfortable in who I am is really important.

Is there anything that you incorporate from rugby style into your personal style?

I love a rugby jersey. I love the colours, the patterns and the different designs you see around the world. I’ve played rugby sevens in places like Kenya and France, and I always try to collect jerseys when I travel. It’s a great way to remember those experiences and see how different rugby cultures express themselves.

My favourite is probably a Kenyan Harlequins jersey I got at Safari Sevens. It was nothing like the Harlequins jersey we know in England and was incredibly colourful.

Matchday Grace vs non-matchday Grace – how different are they style-wise?

Probably not that different, to be honest. The biggest change is usually my hair, but aside from that I’m pretty consistent in how I dress and present myself.

Is there a piece in your wardrobe that you always come back to, or that means something special to you?

Anything yellow. Yellow is my favourite colour, so I always find myself gravitating towards it.

At the moment, it’s probably a yellow cardigan that I’ve been wearing a lot as we move into warmer weather.

Who or what inspires your style in any sort of way, whether that’s teammates, social media, designers, or just life around you?

One person who really inspires me is Jenny Maxwell, our former captain. She’s always incredibly well dressed and balances her professional career with rugby so well. She’s mastered having a polished wardrobe while still embracing how athletic and strong she is.

I also love following women’s basketball in America. The way players incorporate fashion into their game days and everyday lives is really inspiring, and I love seeing the confidence and creativity they bring to it.

How important do you think it is for women’s rugby to show players’ personalities and style away from the pitch?

I think it’s really important. Women’s rugby is full of people with different interests, careers and personalities, and showcasing that helps people connect with the players beyond what they do on the field. It shows that being an athlete is only one part of who we are.

What fashion trend would you bring back from the grave?

I’d probably say crochet bucket hats. I think they’re a really cool streetwear piece. And if we’re going truly back from the grave, I’d have to say chokers.