What to wear to Wimbledon 2022

Wimbledon has made its triumphant return this week. And while we’re robbed at the early exits of Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray, and dying to know if Matteo Berrettini or Rafael Nadal can steal the Grand Slam from three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic, the real excitement is for those lucky enough to having a ticket in the pocket (or patient enough to queue) is the excuse to dress our summer best for the quintessentially British event.

There’s no dress code as such for Wimbledon unless you’re in the Royal Box, where hats are banned (no one wants a Fedora embezzling Federer) and men must wear a shirt and tie – a rule Lewis Hamilton discovered the hard way when he refused entry because he was dressed too casually in 2015.

Those who don’t hang out with royalty and heads of state are simply asked to dress smartly and avoid oversized hats, clothing with a political statement and “footwear on wheels” – leave those Heelys at home. The celebrity archives are a great source of inspiration when it comes to finding a winning wardrobe, with regulars Sienna Miller, the Duchess of Cambridge, Rosamund Pike and Victoria Beckham regularly serving up sartorial accents at court. Their one-shot rule for outfit advantage? Stick to shades of Wimbledon white.

In terms of the smart-to-casual ratio, it’s best to play it like you would at a summer wedding: linen suits, shirts, and formal shoes for men; dresses (avoid microminis), jumpsuits and summer tailoring for women. Modest-brimmed hats are allowed (and a good idea if you’re in the baking heat all day), and flats and comfy block heels are preferable to stilettos, as you’ll be spending quite a bit of time on your feet. Unlike a summer wedding, women can rock their best white dress without fear of beating someone they shouldn’t.

Whether you’re a boy or a girl, the most vibrant way to rock the All England Lawn Tennis Club is undoubtedly soft summer tailoring in pale colours. Gant, Charles Tyrwhitt and 120% Lino all have great linen suits for men, and London label Percival has a really cool cream colored safari linen shirt (£159) with matching trousers (£119) for a more relaxed look.

Reformation, Anine Bing, and Joseph are all safe bets on elegant, tailored trousers for women; While Reiss and Massimo Dutti make gorgeous white linen three-piece suits reminiscent of the one Emma Watson rocked in 2018 with a white boat hat.

For something more feminine, white flowers feel fresh and easy. London label Yolke has a blossom print ankle-length skirt (£175) with matching shirt (£165) that has the bonus of functioning as separate items when you come back for a different taste of the sartorial tournament.

Fancy something that works for the after party? Miller looked effortlessly cool in 2015 in a white Galvan jumpsuit, which you can still buy on Net-a-Porter (£1,085) – pair with a red lip as a match point.