All hail the purple-haired woman who said, “I’m not going to the fucking White House.” Today, millions around the world watched asMegan Rapinoe rode with her equally badassU.S. women’s national soccer teammates in New York City, which held a ticker-tape parade to celebrate their historic World Cup win. As they traveled up Broadway to City Hall, the team danced and chanted and sipped (chugged?) Champagne wearing their “World Champions” T-shirts. Co-captain Rapinoe was also wearing a giant pair of bright red sunglasses that not only made her stand out on the float, but bumped her swag up another notch, if that were even possible. For her speech, she changed into another pair of bottle-cap frames to speak powerfully about how “it’s our responsibility to make this world a better place.”

Photo: Getty Images

Rapinoe has been loudly and proudly outspoken about the fight for equal pay and LGBTQ+ rights both on and off the soccer field. In the last month, she’s become an idol for young feminists and a role model for little girls who have big dreams of playing in the World Cup. She is more than an athlete: she’s a symbol of hope and strength against the backdrop of the current administration’s attitude and backward policies toward women.

As such, Rapinoe is developing a signature look in this new spotlight, one that recalls RBG’s dissent collars and Nancy Pelosi’s shades and fiery red Max Mara coat. Rapinoe’s statement sunglasses—which she not only wore to the parade today (twice) but also to visitGood Morning America yesterday and to several events in the days beforehand—grant her some extra edge. And while Rapinoe certainly doesn’t need any accessories or clothing to make her appear even cooler, the sunglasses do give off an attitude and swagger worthy of a new icon, holding a golden trophy in her hands. Next up: a trip to Washington, D.C., to discuss equal pay with lawmakers. She’ll probably wear a bold pair of sunglasses for that too, as if to say to her naysayers: be afraid, be very afraid.

Photo: Getty Images