Wimbledon has long been a stage not only for athletic excellence but also for iconic on-court fashion. And while the tournament’s strict all-white dress code has challenged designers and players alike, it has also inspired some of the most memorable and inventive looks in sports history.
From Althea Gibson’s historic ensemble in 1956 – now housed in the Smithsonian – to the Williams sisters' daring interpretations, the best on-court Wimbledon fashion reflects broader cultural shifts and personal statements. Each look tells a story, capturing the spirit of its era and the personality of the player who wore it.
Whether it’s Lea Pericoli’s ruffled mini dress in the swinging sixties or Coco Gauff’s modern takes – here's a look back at some of the best on-court Wimbledon fashion moments we've seen.
1. Althea Gibson (1956)
US player Althea Gibson wore a white cotton polo shirt with the Fred Perry logo embroidered, and a white linen pleated skirt in the 1956 women’s quarter finals. This outfit resides in the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, donated by Althea Gibson herself in 1988. Though the designer of Gibson’s tennis whites may remain unknown, it remains an important artefact as she broke down colour barriers in the sport.
2. Lea Pericoli (1965)
Lea Pericoli, the Italian tennis star, brought 1960s flair to Wimbledon in a white mini dress with ruffled details and delicate rose trim. Her stylish ensemble was topped off with a bold white headband, a creation by British sportswear designer Teddy Tinling.
3. Chris Evert (1973)
Evert donned a sunflower-embroidered mini dress for the Wimbledon 1973 final against Billie Jean King.
4. Billie Jean King (1975)
King in action during a semi final in the women’s singles championship at Wimbledon.
5. Anne White (1985)
Anne White turned heads at Wimbledon in 1985 with her revolutionary one-piece, all-white Nike catsuit (White revealed that Wimbledon referee Alan Mills told her to change into something more appropriate during a break).
6. Anna Kournikova (1999)
Perhaps one of the first real style icons of the game, Kournikova's adidas bodysuit and blonde braid were just a taste of what she had in store.
7. Serena Williams (2002)
Serena Williams donned one of her most daring outfits in 2004 – a Nike mini dress with a sheer-panelled torso and tasseled hem.
8. Maria Sharapova (2008)
Sharapova donned shorts and a tuxedo-style vest for the 2008 grand slam by Nike. "I mean, look, tennis is not a sport where you have to wear uniforms. It's an individual sport," she said.
9. Venus Williams (2010)
Venus Williams' Tina Turner-inspired white dress with a skirt was a winner in our books. “I love Tina Turner,” Williams said of the look. “Obviously she’s just an amazing, amazing artist, just a survivor. She reinvented herself. Plus she looks great. I’ve loved her forever. So the dress is really inspired by her.”
10. Marta Kostyuk (2024)
Kostyuk's Wimbledon attire was create to imitate her wedding dress, both created by the head of design at Wilson.
11. Coco Gauff (2025)
American tennis star Coco Gauff wore custom New Balance with a embroidered top and pleated skirt. Of course, she donned matching New Balance sneakers to compliment.
