Wimbledon white never goes out of style

In a rapidly evolving world, one thing seems almost immutable: style Wimbledonboth for players and spectators. White suits, linen suits and floral dresses are a “must” and foster an atmosphere reminiscent of old-time British high society.

“It’s Wimbledon. You have to dress up,” says Jari Hedman, a 65-year-old tennis coach, smiling, it’s such a chic event. Wimbledon, which this year takes place from June 29 to July 12, is the oldest Grand Slam tournament; next year it will celebrate its 150th anniversary.

The importance for the royal family

It’s an unmissable event for the royal family, and particularly for Princess Katewho is the godmother of the tournament, and gives an extra touch of elegance to the event.

In the days leading up to Wimbledon each year, the British media treat the topic of fashion with great seriousness. This year, the BBC website published an article on “etiquette”, or the unwritten rules to be observed at Wimbledon. “Among members of the royal family, celebrities and tennis fans, Wimbledon is always a special occasion. Therefore, it is worth taking care of your appearance”, explained The Times. Wimbledon style in summary? “White, white, white”, replies Lucie Ta, a twenty-nine year old engineer from Prague.

Princess Kate was out and about at Wimbledon, chatting with fellow tennis fans and even helping sell tickets The Princess of Wales, 44, looked lovely in a sky blue pantsuit and ponytail, delighting fans by handing out tickets to people who had camped out in the hopes of… pic.twitter.com/3kPu28bV7b

— HELLO! Canada (@HelloCanada) July 3, 2026

Mandatory white for players

Wimbledon imposes the strictest dress code on the circuit for players. They must wear white “from the moment they step onto the pitch”. The regulation specifies that “white does not include ivory or cream shades”. This sartorial rule has its roots in the aristocratic history of tennis: any trace of sweat was considered inappropriate and is less visible on white clothing.

Fashion for Osaka and Djokovic

The Japanese tennis player Naomi Osakaknown for sporting unconventional outfits, knows how to play with these conventions. On Monday, for her debut match, she took to the field wearing a long white kimono-style dress, with precious embroidery depicting cranes and cherry blossoms, created by the Japanese designer Hana Yagi. The Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic he arrived wearing a white Lacoste jacket, a model that, according to the brand, is inspired by the jackets worn by “great champions”, including René Lacoste, in the 1920s.

A glimpse of British society

For Daniel-Yaw Miller, a writer and journalist specializing in sports fashion, visiting Wimbledon is “fascinating”: it offers “a glimpse into what British society looked like in the past”. Wimbledon was considered “a social event, a bit like Ascot”, explains Elizabeth Wilson, author of the book “Love Game”, which traces the history of tennis. “People wanted to dress elegantly“he says. As late as the 1960s, women wore gloves at Wimbledon. “Today the atmosphere is much more relaxed,” the writer observes.

Wimbledon vs. US Open

Of course, spectators are free to dress however they like. However, Wimbledon remains “loyal to a very specific aesthetic, deeply rooted in tradition. And I believe that both athletes and fans enthusiastically embrace this sense of uniqueness”, observes Daniel-Yaw Miller. This Briton based in New York likes to compare Wimbledon and the US Open: “You go from quintessentially English to quintessentially American,” he summarizes. The US Open is “like a big party”, complete with entertainment, where “sometimes it’s even difficult to concentrate on tennis”. When he goes there, he wears shorts and a t-shirt. At Wimbledon, however, opt for elegant trousers and a shirt or polo.