Wimbledon is the pinnacle of the London summer social season and a hugely popular event for Royals and celebrities alike. It’s as much a part of our British heritage as pitchers of Pimm’s and strawberries. Therefore, what you choose to wear to it is just as important as the event itself!
This year the tournament will run from Monday 30 June to Sunday 13 July – but, with no formal dress code, knowing what to wear to the Grand Slam Tournament can be a challenge for many.
Whether you’re courtside or hosting a Wimbledon party at your house, we’ve selected the pieces that hit all the key factors: comfortable, chic and, crucially, can be worn post-Wimbledon. We’re no longer in the game of wear once and forget, choosing instead thoughtful purchases that can be seamlessly integrated into your wardrobe for everyday dressing, too. Because who doesn’t love more bang for their buck?
Dressing smartly for Wimbledon is encouraged, so with the help of this guide, we have split the categories into an easy-to-implement formula to make it easy for you! All you’ll need is a dress or skirt, blazer, hat, shoe and hey, presto! You have your perfect Wimbledon outfit. A formula that can be applied to any and all summer event dressing or holiday this summer.
What to wear to Wimbledon
See below for our top picks of what to wear to Wimbledon this year.
Dresses
Since we had more sunshine in May than the whole of the summer 2024 put together, we may be in with a chance of a warm-weathered June. When it comes to dresses, fabric is key – no cooking in a polyester dress that sticks to you. Absolutely not! Hone in on pieces that are cotton or linen for breezy comfort.
You can also take inspiration from the Princess of Wales and opt for a timeless polka dot style or embrace the boho trend with a broderie anglaise dress.
Izzy Shirt Dress
Blazers & jackets
Tailored looks are very much at home at Wimbledon and smart dressing is encouraged. For those of us who prefer the formal look, a beautiful blouse, skirt and blazer combination is always a reliable choice and can be created using items already in your wardrobe.
If it’s an overcast day, you might appreciate the option of a few light layers, too. I like the idea of a draped blazer over the shoulders, perfect for heading out for dinner after a long day courtside.
Skirts
If you’re unsure what to buy for Wimbledon or you feel like you’ve already bought your summer dress for this year, a skirt is the perfect alternative. It’s a simple way to smarten up any top, whether it be a casual white tee or waistcoat. We recommend opting for minimum length that’s just above the knee so that your legs won’t stick to the plastic seating around the courts. I’ll be wearing my skirts this summer with a polished waistcoat, ballet flats and sleek black sunglasses.
Hats
Leroy Dawkins, Celebrity Stylist and Royal Expert says: ‘fascinators are not recommended for Wimbledon. With a fascinator you’ll look totally out of place and these should be for a summer wedding or Royal Ascot. The obvious reason is that you would not want to sit behind or even beside someone wearing a wide brimmed summer hat. Panama hats, however, are a thing. They’ll provide much-needed shade from what can be a quite punishing sun.’ In short, don’t be obnoxious in a wide-brimmed hat, these five styles hit that sweet spot between shelter, chic and being considerate.
Shoes
The Wimbledon village has a mixture of flat grass and concrete surfaces, and heels may look the part, but you might want to consider something more supportive. Comfort is always key, but if you’re feeling brave, low heels or platformed wedges are a great and secure way to wear heels.
Depending on your personal preference, you can’t go wrong with a smart pair of white trainers (thank you, Hush) or pretty ballet flats from & Other Stories, which will keep you comfortable all through the day and last for the whole summer and beyond.
Don’t rule out a classic driver-style loafer. These tan loafers from LK Bennett are a smart, yet comfortable flat shoe option with personality! Pair these with white jeans, linen culottes or tailored trousers to elevate your daytime look without the discomfort of heels for post-Wimbledon days out.
