Wimbledon enforces strict all‑white dress code amid player attire incidents

Wimbledon’s long‑standing rule requires competitors to wear clothing that is "almost entirely white," a tradition dating back to the Victorian era when white was used to mask sweat stains. The All England Club’s regulations forbid cream, ivory and off‑white shades and extend to shoes, laces, hats, socks, wristbands and other accessories, allowing only thin (max 1 cm) coloured trim. In 2022 the policy was softened to let female players wear dark‑coloured undershorts beneath their white skirts or shorts to address menstrual‑cycle comfort, and further updates were announced in 2023.

The rule has sparked several high‑profile incidents. In 2022 Romanian player Mihaela Buzarnescu had to borrow a white bra from her coach after a black sports bra violated the dress code. Past breaches have involved Anna Kournikova’s black shorts in 2002, Nick Kyrgios’s red‑and‑white shoes in 2022, and Andre Agassi’s boycott of Wimbledon from 1988‑1990 over the rule. Officials continue to monitor compliance, with umpires enforcing the standards during matches and practice sessions.

Beyond the dress code, Wimbledon 2026 also highlighted luxury watches worn by players and celebrities. Notable pieces included Roger Federer’s Rolex Datejust II, Serena Williams’s pink Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, David Beckham’s Tudor Black Bay 58, and James Norton’s Breitling Top Time, underscoring the event’s blend of sport, tradition and high‑end fashion.