Wimbledon: the dos, don’ts and dress code
Want to know what to wear at Wimbledon, and whether (once seated) you’re allowed to scream like Zendaya in Challengers?
The famous tennis tournament is finally upon us. And those of us fortunate enough to be in possession of a ticket should be appraised of what one can and can’t wear, say or do.
There are strict rules to abide by when attending Wimbledon. There is no dress code – as such – but there are certain things one definitely ought to know if you are to get the most out of the day and avoid any red-faced moments.
There is no dress code for Wimbledon spectators, however, dressing smartly is encouraged, especially if frequenting Centre Court or Court Number One. After all, if the players make an effort with their outfits, spectators should follow suit (forgive the pun).
What you are forbidden to wear is ‘ambush marketing’ clothing – a jacket with your company logo emblazoned on the back, for instance. Political slogans are also forbidden.
Panama hats, however, are very much a thing – they will provide shade from what is likely to be quite a punishing sun, though make sure they don’t block the person behind’s view.
No overly large, Ascot-esque hats though, ladies. And gents, whilst not obligatory, perhaps wear a jacket and tie – you won’t want to find yourself, as Lewis Hamilton once did (as I reported in AZIP) denied entry to a rather important match…
Etiquette
You know how tempting it is: shouting a quick “Come on Emma!” as she goes to serve… But you must refrain. Not only is it distracting for players, but it’s distracting for everyone else too. You might even earn yourself a scolding from the umpire. Wait ‘til the point has been played, then yell as loudly as you like.
Do not cheer in the middle of rallies either – total silence until the end.
In terms of moving in and out of the courts, you can only leave your seat – for a loo break or whatever else – after the third game of a set to begin with, and then when the players change sides, every two games, after that.
You won’t be able to return to your seat until those times either, so best hold back on that Pimms until after the match, if you don’t wish to miss any crucial moments.
Food and drink
Food and drink are not cheap within the Wimbledon grounds (I’ve been, and know too well), so you might want to pack a picnic. People only really eat strawberries and cream anyway, so it’s not like you’ll have a lot to lug around.
You can bring your own booze, BUT, you are limited to the equivalent of one bottle of wine or Champagne (750ml) or two cans of beer (500ml) or two cans of premixed aperitifs (like, Pimms) per person. Bottles of spirits are prohibited though, so a straight bottle of Pimms is a no-no.
Glass glasses may not be used on the show courts and all corked bottles, including champagne and sparkling wine, must be opened before you go into the stands.
Weirdly, flasks are not allowed either. So, leave that Stanley cup at home. And neither are travel mugs or opaque bottles.
What NOT to wear to Wimbledon
If you want to nail your look at the Wimbledon tennis tournament, here are some outfits and accessories to avoid:
- Dirty trainers: While we all have a favourite pair of comfortably worn-out trainers that have seen better days, opt for a clean pair that adheres to the smart casual vibe of the event.
- Oversized hats: When watching the action on Centre Court, nobody wants their view blocked, so avoid wearing an overly large hat.
- Ripped jeans: Ripped or distressed jeans lean just a little too far on the casual side, so as an alternative, you should go for wide trousers, corduroy or a midi skirt.
- Large branding: At Wimbledon, it’s best to avoid heavily branded clothing and accessories.
