From Corsets to Cutting-Edge: How Wimbledon Fashion Has Changed Since 1877

When Wimbledon first opened its gates in 1877, tennis players looked less like elite athletes and more like immaculate guests at a very posh garden party.

 

Women stepped onto the grass courts in corsets, bustles, long sleeves and ankle-length skirts. Men competed in starched shirts, neckties and flannel trousers. Comfort was an afterthought. Fashion and Great British social etiquette came first.

 

Nearly 150 years later, Wimbledon remains the most stylish tournament in tennis, but in a very different way than during its beginnings. Today's players wear lightweight, sweat-wicking fabrics engineered to maximise speed and performance. Yet despite all the technological advances, one thing remains unchanged: Wimbledon is still obsessed with white.

 

So, how did we get from corsets to cutting-edge sportswear?

 

The Victorian Years: Fashion Over Function

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The first Wimbledon competitors played during an era when respectable dress mattered more than athletic performance.

 

For women, tennis was considered a social activity rather than a serious sport. Players wore restrictive corsets beneath heavy dresses, often accompanied by hats and gloves. Movement was limited, but appearances were everything.

 

Men fared only slightly better, competing in long trousers and buttoned-up shirts despite the summer heat.

 

Looking at photographs and paintings from the period, it is hard to imagine anyone playing five sets of tennis, let alone winning a Grand Slam.

 

The clothing reflected the values of Victorian Britain: modesty, propriety and class. Just like today, Wimbledon was just as much a social event as a sporting competition.

 

The Rebel Who Changed Everything

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By the 1920s, a new generation of players was beginning to challenge convention.

 

No figure was more influential than French superstar Suzanne Lenglen. A six-time Wimbledon champion, Lenglen shocked spectators by abandoning many of the restrictive garments expected of female athletes.

 

Her shorter skirts, sleeveless tops and lightweight fabrics allowed her to move freely around the court. What seems ordinary today was revolutionary at the time.

 

Traditionalists were horrified. Fashion lovers were entranced. 

The Rise of Sportswear

 

As tennis grew in popularity throughout the twentieth century, clothing for both genders became increasingly practical in all spheres of life. 

 

By the 1950s and 1960s, players were swapping heavy cotton garments for lighter materials. Skirts became shorter, shirts became more breathable and footwear started to be specifically designed for the job. Of course, Wimbledon still demanded white clothing, but designers found creative ways to modernise the look.

 

The Championships were slowly evolving from a showcase of social status into a display of true sporting excellence.

 

The Colour Revolution Arrives

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If Wimbledon represented tradition, the 1980s represented rebellion.

 

Professional tennis entered the television age and players became global celebrities. Bright colours, bold logos and eye-catching sponsorship deals transformed the sport.

 

Nobody embodied this shift more than Andre Agassi.

 

With his neon outfits, denim-inspired shorts and rock-star image, Agassi challenged tennis's conservative image. His dislike of Wimbledon's strict dress code became legendary, leading him to skip the tournament for several years.

 

His eventual victory in 1992 was somewhat ironic as the sport's biggest fashion rebel conquered its most traditional stage.

 

The clash between personal expression and Wimbledon tradition had become a major talking point.

 

The Era of Technology

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Modern tennis clothing is a world away from Victorian attire.

 

Today's garments are designed using advanced fabrics that regulate temperature, reduce moisture and improve comfort. Every seam, panel and fibre is carefully engineered.

 

Major sportswear brands invest millions in research to create clothing that can help athletes perform at their peak.

 

What was once simply an outfit has become part of the sporting equipment in its own right with sweat-wicking fabrics, lightweight construction and exceptional stretch. 

 

While today's Wimbledon competitors are dressed for performance rather than purely presentation, there is one rule which still reigns supreme...

 

Why White Still Rules Wimbledon

 

Despite countless changes in fashion, Wimbledon remains fiercely protective of its famous all-white dress code.

 

The tradition dates back to the nineteenth century, when visible perspiration was considered socially unacceptable. White clothing made this unseemly sweating less visible and also helped to keep players cool. Yes, that's right, the origin story of Wimbledon's glamorous white dress code is all about concealing sweat marks.

 

Over time, this odd rule became a crucial part of the tournament's identity.

 

Even in the modern era, Wimbledon officials closely monitor compliance. In 2013, regulations were tightened to limit coloured trims and accessories, prompting criticism from some players.

 

Roger Federer famously had to change a pair of shoes because their orange soles were deemed too colourful.

 

For supporters, the rule creates a timeless elegance unique in sport. For critics, it can feel outdated and restrictive.

 

Either way, it keeps Wimbledon instantly recognisable.

 

Header image: Twowings on Wikicommons