Chasing Wimbledon style: It’s a love match for tennis fashion

Wimbledon is underway and there is already talk about what is being worn, both on and off the court. Serena Williams thrilled fans in her strawberries and cream combination that cheekily got around the Wimbledon Players Rule Book that states that players must wear outfits that are “almost entirely white” by wearing red hotpants under her dress. While glamour girl Maria Sharapova continued to be a fashion leader in her softly layered cream and white Nike dress.

And it wasn’t just the tennis players that looked great on the courts. Once again, the officials had been outfitted by Ralph Lauren and their preppy style suits the formality of the occasion and gravitas of Wimbledon. The combination of navy and white piped blazers combined with striped shirt, beige trousers or skirts and either a tie for the men or belt for the women in the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club colours of dark green and purple, made all look smart. Even the ball boys and girls looked liked they had stepped out of a photoshoot in their polo shirts and tailored shorts or tennis skirts!

Off court fans displayed a huge range of outfits aimed at staying cool and comfortable in the scorching sunshine that has graced the Wimbledon Championships since the centre court roof was completed last year. From the dress of this summer, the maxi dress, to resort wear and casual T-shirt and jeans, tennis lovers showed off their inimitable good taste and style in the stands.

But tennis style fashion is not just for Wimbledon, it is a great look all summer long. Whether you are doing a classic English picnic, meeting for an alfresco lunch or going to a summer party, tennis chic can be adapted to suit all occasions.

If you are inspired by those stylish preppy fashions that the Wimbledon officials displayed, there are many more where they came from at Ralph Lauren. Pin-stripes, navy and white clean lines and cute styles take you back at to an era of gentle pursuits where tennis and croquet were the order of the day while sipping a glass of Pimms, and dining on poached salmon. This Belle already has her eyes on the cute white mini-shorts teamed with the matching blazer! The range is available in store at Ralph Lauren or online for its US customers.

If the preppy look is not your thing, the high street is also serving up some great tennis inspired looks. The white shift dress from Elegance is perfect for work or lunch with the ladies. While the crisp John Rocha outfit from Debenhams takes you from the office to evening drinks in a snap and Wallis tuxedo jacket and matching shorts are the perfect weekend attire. But you may need to be quick to snap up these looks because although the sun has only just started to shine and summer looks like it finally may make an appearance this year, the shops are already looking to autumn and starting to stock clothes for colder times – a little prematurely for this Belle!