The Story behind Wimbledon's White

Picture: Marta Kostyuk wearing lace-adorned Wimbledon dress from Wilson (wilson.com)

No cream. No ivory. No eggshell. At Wimbledon, white means white.

Among the four Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon is one of the most anticipated events of the year. From tennis enthusiasts and professionals to loving fans, it is the tournament of the summer.  Its grass courts, bowls of strawberries and cream, and elegant atmosphere are instantly recognizable. Yet perhaps its most famous tradition is also its simplest: players must wear white.

As an onlooker, this strict rule does not apply to you, but competing players must follow it. But if you closely follow fashion trends in the past 2 weeks, you would have noticed that even fans tend to favour white as well. In the past, this rule was broken or challenged by a few players. For example, Roger Federer, who had been asked to change his footwear due to the orange soles, or Andre Agassi, the most famous rebel, who from 1988 till 1990 did not partake in tournaments due to his own beliefs.

As a fan of tennis and a fashion lover, I find this rule very elegant and unique. While in other tournaments this rule is absent, this makes Wimbledon distinctive. But this tradition has not been created recently; it has its roots back in the 19th century.

The Tradition Behind Wimbledon’s Dress Code

Tradition dates back to the Victorian era (19th century), when lawn tennis became popular among Britain’s upper classes. At the time, visible perspiration was considered improper in society and even embarrassing. White clothing was believed to make sweat marks less noticeable, allowing tennis players to maintain a clean and polished appearance. Before the first Wimbledon Championship that was held in 1877, white had already become associated with lawn tennis.

Over time, from being a practical choice, it has grown into one of the strictest and most recognizable dress codes in professional sport. Wimbledon requires players who are competing to wear clothing almost entirely white, with no large logos or colorful splashes of color. Cream and off-white shades are generally not accepted; it is required to wear white for both male and female competitors . The rules apply not only to shirts, dresses, skirts, and shorts but also to shoes, socks, hats, and other visible accessories worn by athletes on the court during the tournament.

Time-honoured tradition

Today, white is no longer worn primarily to conceal perspiration. Instead, it has become an essential part of Wimbledon’s identity. While both major and non-major tennis tournaments allow players to experiment with bright colors and designs, Wimbledon preserves the tradition. The white dress code creates an elegant visual contrast with the green grass courts and makes this particular tournament recognizable.

What began as a reflection of Victorian social expectations and ideas about appearance and social etiquette has evolved into a tradition, symbol of elegance, and timelessness. In a sporting world where constant changes occur, Wimbledon’s commitment to white is precisely what makes it stand apart from others.

Congratulations to this year’s winners Jannik Sinner and Linda Nosková!

*Sources: GQ, “Why Does Everyone Wear White at Wimbledon?”, Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Why Do Tennis Players Wear White at Wimbledon?”, TIME, “Wimbledon’s Dress Code and Its History.”