The unspoken style rules of Wimbledon - and the A-list guest who nails the brief every year
With Wimbledon 2026 upon us, celebrities and influencers are gearing up to sit courtside in their best outfits – however, some will nail the style brief better than others.
Refined, old luxury and tailored are the words stylist Tara Pokarier used to describe the English tennis tournament’s quintessential fashion.
Stars like Sienna Miller flock to Wimbledon – but are there rules for how they should dress? Getty
“We’ll see a lot of midi dresses, linen tailoring and those lightweight knits people wrap around their shoulders,” she told nine.com.au.
“Wimbledon will always be a less-is-more event. I think that will reign supreme, but people will still find ways to be creative with it.”
She added the typical all-white look Wimbledon spectators gravitate towards will be out this year, with a butter yellow hue teed up to replace it.
The two celebrity attendees at the top of Pokarier’s best-dressed list are British actress Sienna Miller and Catherine, the Princess of Wales.
What Miller does well, she said, is sticking to the Wimbledon theme while putting her own twist on it.
“I think she has explored trends really subtly, whether it’s a little pop of colour or that relaxed tailoring trend, she has personified that really well,” she said.
“I also think she just has that air about her, she’s always been a cool girl. I think it’s only expected that she brings that flair to an event like Wimbledon.
“She’s always nailed that juxtaposition between unkept and refined.”
The Princess of Wales also epitomises Wimbledon style, stylist Tara Pokarier says. Getty
Also at the top is Catherine, who Pokarier described as “Wimbledon personified.”
“If you want a guideline on how to dress for Wimbledon, just look at what she’s worn in the past. That is the classic elegance that Wimbledon is all about.”
Kate’s outfits make the best-dressed list at the tournament every year. She often opts for midi-length dresses and skirts in one colour, paired with a blazer-style shirt.
The appeal of the royal’s fashion comes from the simple elegance to every piece, Pokarier said.
“It’s her ability to adopt, a trend, like a pop of colour,” she said.
“But there’s no print or anything, it’s just a standalone colour. The tailoring as well, every piece looks like it was made for her … It’s just her aura, if you will.”
Of course, not everyone has royal tailors at their disposal, but that doesn’t mean they can’t dress to impress in Wimbledon staples.
Staples include oversized shirt dresses with a belt, blazers, linen, pale colours and the ‘quiet luxury’ aesthetic, with simple outfits accessorised by luxurious watches and classic-shaped sunglasses.
Loose linen tailoring, like this suit seen on Miller, is a staple of Wimbledon. Getty
While there’s no official dress code for attendees, Pokarier said there are some style no-nos and items that can look “tacky.”
“It’s a very smart-casual dress code ... no ripped jeans, probably no crop tops, unless you do it tastefully,” she said.
“I cannot stand people who wear tennis skirts at Wimbledon. An NFL player’s wife did it last year, I was just like, ‘That is the tackiest thing ever.’”
She added that celebrities who wear bright prints or clearly branded outfits to Wimbledon also miss the mark.
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