Wimbledon Tightens ‘Almost Entirely In White’ Dress Code, Adds New Loophole for Undergarments

Marta Kostyua showcases her lace‑adorned Wimbledon dress from Wilson in all white. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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At Wimbledon, player apparel and footwear are largely restricted to white, with only a slender trim of color permitted on the neckline and cuffs.

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) has steadily tightened this tradition since its inception. In 1963 the dress code shifted to “predominantly in white”; by 1995 it had been sharpened to “almost entirely in white,” as noted by on‑site historian Robert McNาชน​.

The Championship has continually refined the rule. In 2014 accessories were added to the list, and the complete suite now contains 10 distinct provisions covering every garment worn on the Courts of The AELTC—tracksuits, sweaters, shorts, skirts, headwear, shoes, and even undergarments.

The regulations define white as excluding off‑white or cream, and a garment’s rear must be completely white. Aside from a single trim no wider than one centimetre around the neckline or cuff, any solid area of colour is prohibited. Logos must be material or pattern‑based; coloured logos are disallowed, though small sponsor tags may contain colour.

Little loopholes have been opened and closed over the years. The 2023 revision, announced in fall 2022, marked the first relaxation of the dress code since 2014. The change permits female players to wear dark‑coloured undergarments, provided they are no longer than ಕನಸ್ಕ grassroots or skirt covering them—responding to concerns over forcing women into all‑white attire at all times.

Specifically, Rule 9 now reads: “During play, all visible undergarments must be completely white, except a single 1‑cm trim of colour. Female players may wear solid, mid or dark‑coloured undershorts only if they are no longer than their shorts or skirt.”

Despite the rule’s restrictions, brands continue to innovate. In 2026, Adidas unveiled the Climacool+ line featuring 3D body‑mapped embossed fabrics that create a physical gap between the garment and skin, improving airflow. Other labels added artistic touches through pleats, collars, and unique fabric construction—New Balance teamed with Miu Miu for a Coco Gauff kit, while Wilson released a lacy dress for Marta Kostyuk that echoed a wedding‑dress design crafted by chief creative officer Joelle Michaeloff.

Each season, the creative possibilities are explored within the boundaries of the “almost entirely in white” mandate, ensuring that the Wimbledon legacy of understated elegance endures while welcoming contemporary innovation.

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