A Fashion Editor's Complete Guide To Dressing For Wimbledon
A pivotal moment in the British sporting calendar, Wimbledon is known for attracting a flurry of stylish attendees. The Championships have long been an important event, providing brands the opportunity to dress stars on and off the court. For the spectators – many of whom are tennis fans, royals, celebrities, and sports stars – Wimbledon is a time to put your best foot forward. Or, as British designer Amanda Wakeley, put it: ‘It’s a fantastic opportunity to dress up and look super chic as a mark of respect to the awesome players we are there to watch.’
Whether its British-American actress Lucy Boynton sporting a pink bob and wearing an embroidered Celine sundress or influencer Emma Louise Connolly donning a sunflower yellow midi dress, some of our favourite fashion inspiration has come from celebrities in attendance.
‘While there isn’t a strict dress code, that horrible phrase "smart casual" is often referred to,’ she jokes. Wakeley’s styling tips include opting for comfortable outfits, using accessories to elevate a look, and, with a wet summer on the cards this season, layering is key to staying warm and dry. Other attendees are looking to fashion influencers like Morgan Riddle, the girlfriend of US tennis player Taylor Fritz, who has amassed over 300,000 Instagram followers showcasing her outfits to Fritz’s games; or Sierra Leone tennis star Frances Tiafoe’s girlfriend Ayan Broomfield, who is also using her social media accounts for a similar purpose.
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But for the casual spectator, long shorts are a great option for milder days and luxury multi-brand retailer Net-A-Porter say, ‘customers are embracing shorts with longer hemlines,’ according to Market Director, Libby Page. In the last three months the multi-brand retailer has seen a 103% increase in searches for Bermuda shorts, Page reveals. ‘Look to TOVE’s Bella pleated linen-blend shorts and Ruby gathered linen-blend twill peplum bustier top for an effortless approach to elevated summer style that balances femininity with a masculine edge,’ she adds.
If blending the masculine and feminine isn’t quite your thing, Page recommends adding some linen to your Wimbledon wardrobe. ‘Linen tailoring is a summer essential and are perfect for a day of tennis,’ she says. Similarly, to searches for Bermuda shorts, Net-A-Porter customers are on the hunt for the perfect linen blazers. According to the platform, searches for linen blazer have increased 350% over the last three months. ‘A personal favourite is Tod’s Linen blazer which borrows from traditional tailoring while having a summer sensibility,’ Page says. ‘For a more feminine approach, I’ll be pairing it with Loulou Studio’s Artemis pintucked cotton and silk-blend midi skirt for a breezy yet effortlessly elegant look that doesn’t feel overly girly.’
Wakeley shares a similar sentiment. ‘My go-to would be an easy linen trouser suit, or summer maxi dress,’ she says. ‘Despite Tenniscore being a huge trend right now I would resist it for Wimbledon – far cooler to wear it away from the courts. The overall look should be effortlessly chic, balancing comfort with a refined sense of style... If it’s baking hot (perhaps not this year) I would take a Panama hat…definitely nothing too big that could obscure the view of the person sitting behind.’
When it comes to dressing tennis stars, Lacoste is among the sportswear brands dominating that space. The French brand has dressed players including world number one Novak Djokovic, Venus William and rising star Arthur Fils, who was most recently named its brand ambassador last year. However, there’s a big difference between creating looks for tennis players to wear on the court versus the casual spectator. For the tennis stars, Lacoste’s creative director Pelagia Kolotouros, who has had stints at Adidas's Ivy Park and The North Face, is finding inspiration in the archives. ‘It’s really about the classics,’ she says – think micro shorts, basic sports T-shirts and polo tops.
When it comes to those in attendance, the weather should play an important role in shaping our tennis attire, she says. Wimbledon typically kicks off in the height of British summer, meaning warmer temperatures coupled with rainy spells. ‘The spectators are always dressed in something that’s lightweight and breezy – and preferably something that’s white,’ Kolotouros adds.
Although the weather is set to hit a mere 18 or 19 degrees this weekend, with rainy spells on the card; comfort is key. ‘For me it’s more about the functionality of it. The style is definitely a component, but functionality has more of a driving purpose than the actual aesthetic of it,’ Kolotouros says. That means a sleek yet practical outfit, including a fun Lacoste polo top that’s easy to accessorise with a scarf or necklaces, and paired with navy trousers. Within the new collection, there are multiple pieces worthy of wearing to Wimbledon. Pick up a V-neck Lacoste tennis dress with a fitted top and long flared skirt.
What should you avoid wearing? 'Black,' Kolotouros says.
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