What women wear to Wimbledon

Five Wimbledon outfits for women, with shoes and layers considered alongside each, plus two distinct options for men attending the same day.

A summer dress can be chosen for a surprisingly particular reason. The green is exactly right, the sleeve has a little generosity, or the print contains a leaf that seems determined to grow across the seam. Those small preferences give clothes a life beyond their usefulness. They deserve a place in getting ready for Wimbledon.

So do trousers, skirts and suits. There is no prescribed feminine silhouette for an ordinary spectator, and no need to make a dress your starting point if you would rather wear something else. Choose the garment that interests you, then work through the shoes, layer and bag with equal care.

Before choosing: the spectator rules

Ordinary spectators are not required to wear white, a dress, a hat or heels. For Keith Prowse hospitality, the current guidance accepts smart, clean trainers and tailored shorts while excluding jeans and sports trainers; another invitation may differ. Our dress-code guide separates the relevant types of access.

Choose shoes and outerwear while you are choosing the main clothes. A dress whose hem only works with an unfamiliar high heel has left part of the problem unresolved. A suit jacket needs to fit the top beneath it and remain useful when the weather changes.

For her: five complete combinations

A floral dress with a plain frame

A green-and-cream floral cotton dress works well with dark brown sandals and a small brown shoulder bag. The dark leather gives the pattern a settled base; a plain cream cardigan repeats the lighter ground of the print. Look at the drawing itself, including where its larger shapes fall across the bodice and skirt.

Give the body enough room for lunch and the skirt enough cloth to settle comfortably in a seat. Check any lining against the intended temperature. The neckline should remain where you want it when you lean forward; a beautiful print loses some of its pleasure if you keep having to rearrange the garment carrying it.

Choose secure sandals with straps you already know. Brown flats offer a closed alternative, while red ones introduce a more deliberate contrast. The red need not occur in the print: it can make its own contribution if the other details remain quiet.

A shirt dress with a stronger shoe

Pale blue cotton and red flats have enough colour between them to make the outfit clear. A navy bag and small earrings leave the red as the strongest accent. If the dress has a belt, let it define the waist without drawing the buttons into a strained line.

Test the fastening across the thighs and the movement allowed by the skirt or vent. A shorter jacket often works well over a fuller shape, provided its sleeves accommodate those of the dress. Look at the two garments together rather than buying a layer on the assumption that navy will go with everything.

Wide trousers and a small silk square

Ivory wide-leg trousers and a navy cotton knit give a bright silk square a generous plain setting. The longer trouser line balances the smaller concentration of colour near the face. Brown loafers make a warm foundation; cream trainers are another option for ordinary admission, subject to separate hospitality guidance.

Check the trousers' opacity in daylight, including the pockets, and their length in the intended shoes. Wide legs should clear the ground at the back. A cardigan or jacket must leave the waistband comfortable, and the scarf should sit loosely enough to be enjoyable. When the day warms, fold it into the bag or tie it securely to a handle.

A skirt and an unfussy shirt

Coral and blue make a cheerful combination without requiring a print. Try a coral midi skirt, blue cotton shirt and tan flats, leaving a little fullness above the waistband. A skirt with movement handles steps readily; a straighter one needs adequate ease or a vent that functions when you walk.

If the skirt is printed, a plain shirt in one of its quieter tones lets the drawing remain legible. With two plain garments, a small patterned scarf is available if you want another detail. Choose a compact bag with a usable strap and enough space for your requirements, while observing the current entry limits.

A summer trouser suit

A pale green or warm stone suit with an ivory top and brown loafers offers a different sort of occasion dressing. Look at the jacket open: it should hang cleanly without needing to be fastened into position. Set the trousers' length for the loafers, and make sure you like the top when it is the only upper layer visible.

This can be a useful choice for a hosted lunch or simply a suit you are pleased to wear for an ordinary ticket. A small red bag breaks up the pale cloth; a silk square introduces colour nearer the face. Try each separately before adding both. Sometimes the plain area between the details is part of what makes them work.

For him: two looks for the same day

Light tailoring

A pale blue shirt, stone trousers and navy jacket make a straightforward combination with brown loafers. Choose enough ease for the jacket to open comfortably over the shirt and for the trousers to remain kind through a long seated session. Use socks already tested with the shoes.

A muted green jacket or pale pink shirt can give the same outline more colour. A tie is optional for ordinary admission and under Keith Prowse's current guidance, though a private invitation can specify one. Let the outfit develop its own palette rather than borrowing a companion's strongest colour in an effort to appear coordinated.

A polo and straight trousers

Rust in a fine-knit polo gives navy trousers some warmth, with clean cream trainers for an ordinary spectator day. Cotton piqué offers a more sporting texture if preferred. Check the shoulders, sleeve openings and ribbed hem, then try a light overshirt over the top for later.

Hospitality guidance may distinguish a smart trainer from sports footwear. Match the actual pair to the provider's wording. Familiar brown loafers give another route if they suit both the outfit and the amount of walking involved.

Make the outfit useful beyond the photograph

Choose a bag with a reliable closure and strap, then make room for glasses, sun protection and the forecast's required layer. Hats are optional and should be removed where they obstruct the view behind. Our shoe guide and layering guide examine those decisions more closely.

Try the full combination in motion, including reaching for the bag and climbing a step. Make any necessary adjustment while you still have the wardrobe in front of you. These checks should support the particular thing that drew you to the outfit, whether it was the green, the cut of a suit or that wandering leaf. There is no reason for usefulness to cost you the original pleasure.

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