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Evening Standard

Lifestyle

Daisy Lester

Best Wimbledon outfit ideas to ace the dress code

Wimbledon Olivia Rodrigo Ralph Lauren Longchamp Mint Velvet Tennis Vivaia Zara Zendaya (Organization)

Niall Horan with his girlfriend Amelia Woolley, and Romeo Beckham and Kim Turnball - (Getty/Dave Benett)

While the World Cup calls for track jackets and football shirts, Wimbledon commands a chicer dress code. The 2026 Championships play over 14 days from Monday, 29 June to Sunday, 12 July, where tennis and British tradition combine.

An occasion for strawberries with cream and Pimm's (or queuing in a long line for same-day tickets), Wimbledon is the crown jewel of the British summertime. It’s both the oldest tennis championship still played on grass courts and the only Grand Slam to enforce a strict all-white dress code on competitors.

The event has long occupied a unique place at the intersection of sport and style, from best-dressed celebrities in the Royal Box to the coining of the tennis bracelet after world number 1 Chris Evert lost her diamond-and-line piece during the 1987 US Open match.

In the decades since, the championships have evolved into an off-court fashion display as much as a sporting spectacle. On the opening day of the 2026 Championships, competitor Naomi Osaka combined the two, walking onto court in an upcycled gown made from vintage kimonos.

Naomi Osaka in an upcycled entrance outfit (PA)

For spectators, the grounds offer a chance to wear your summer finest, be it a floral or floaty white dress, sharp suit, or whimsical print pattern. Smart-casual attire is standard for the grounds (ripped jeans, dirty trainers and beachwear, for example, are banned), but the Royal Box, hospitality areas, Centre Court and Court One encourage more thought. There’s no rigid dress code – nothing that compares to Royal Ascot – but the Royal Box don’t allow guests to wear company logos or anything with a political leaning.

On day one, David Beckham appeared alongside his mum Sandra in the Royal Box, sporting a neat grey suit with a blush orange tie. His son, Romeo Beckham, looked equally dapper in a chocolate brown suit while his girlfriend, Kim Turnball, opted for a sporty white sweater dress with a yellow Longchamp bag.

Best Wimbledon 2026 outfit ideas at a glance

Best dress – Realisation Par sadie petite spot: £295, Realisationpar.com

Best co-ord – Mint Velvet linen ruffle hem co-ord: £79, Mintvelvet.com

Best bag – Longchamp shoulder bag: £273, Longchamp.com

Best shoes – Vivaia Nelly Mary Jane shoes: £120, Vivaia.com

Over the years, attendees, including Margot Robbie and Kate Middleton, have made a strong case for monochrome polka dots. For the opening day of 2026, Jameela Jamil wore an off-shoulder polka-dot maxi dress, and Katherine Jenkins styled a white and blue polka-dot frock.

A throw-on-and-go white dress might seem less bold, but it’s a classic choice that’s wearable long beyond Wimbledon. A-listers including Tess Daly, who opted for a lace style, Maura Higgins, who plumped for a mini dress, and Isla Fischer, who wore a sculptural maxi, all leaned into all-white for 2026.

The tennis championships offer an opportunity to experiment with tailoring, too. Classic striped shirts have been championed by both Sienna Miller and Meghan Markle. Why not go one step further and add a tie, à la Cynthia Erivo and Zendaya? Emma Corrin’s yellow longline shorts and blazer continue to make best-dressed Wimbledon galleries, while Pixie Lott’s pink skirt suit is a playful take.

Tailoring is a given for men in The Royal Box, which mandates male guests to wear a tie, jacket and shoes. David Beckham always offers great inspiration, or take a cue from Tom Hiddleston and Paul Mescal with a navy suit. Men throughout the grounds tend toward relaxed tailoring, pairing linen blazers with smart trousers and boat shoes.

Best menswear Wimbledon outfit ideas

Best linen suit – Percival two piece suit: £360, Percivalclo.co

Best boat shoes – Ralph Lauren Merton boat shoes: £110, Ralphlauren.com

Best jacket – M&S regular fit jacket: £80, Marksandspencer.com

Best hat – Next Panama hat: £22, Next.co.uk

As for accessories and shoes, woven bags and straw hats are commonplace, though make sure the hat isn’t too large to block fellow spectators. Kitten heels and classic white trainers span the shoe spectrum, while a statement pair of sunglasses won’t go amiss. It’s also worth popping a handheld fan in your bag for particularly sweltering days on the court.

When I attended last year, I followed the unwritten dress code of polka dots with a halter-neck midi dress from Realisation Par. For the 2026 tournament, I wore a floaty Zara white mini dress that kept me cool and comfortable while sitting in direct sunlight in Centre Court.

I wore Realisation Par’s Sadie dress to Wimbledon last year (Daisy Lester)

The beauty of Wimbledon dressing is its timelessness. Courtside dressing doesn’t follow trends, but champions quintessentially British dressing, be it a floral frock or a slip with a knit thrown over the shoulders. Whether you’ve got tickets or are planning on joining the queue, here’s your ultimate guide to acing the Wimbledon unofficial dress code.