Wimbledon 2025 has begun, and with it comes a spectacle that transcends tennis. While the immaculate grass courts and the echoing sound of uniquely struck balls remain the core, it’s the arrivals at the All England Club that continue to capture the world’s imagination. Celebrities and royals alike treat the annual fortnight not merely as a sporting event, but as a cultural and sartorial showcase — an unspoken competition in style, grace, and the timeless codes of summer elegance.
The Allure of Arrival
Wimbledon’s storied traditions date back to 1877, and over nearly 150 years, it has become much more than a championship — it’s an institution. A place where strawberries and cream, crisp Pimm’s, and the mandatory all-white dress code for players merge into a pageantry that embodies British summer sophistication. But beyond Centre Court, the meticulously manicured grounds transform into an informal runway.
Each year, high-profile figures from film, music, fashion, politics, and, of course, the royal family, make their way through the gates, offering a masterclass in refined warm-weather dressing. Wimbledon is one of the few major events where flamboyance takes a back seat to tradition and subtlety, where quiet luxury reigns supreme.
Royals Set the Tone
Among the most anticipated guests each year are the British royals. The Princess of Wales, a patron of the All England Club, has become synonymous with Wimbledon elegance. For 2025, she arrived in a pale green tea-length dress by Emilia Wickstead, complemented by a vintage cream clutch and nude pumps. Her look was completed with pearl drop earrings, a nod to classic British femininity that resonated across the stands.
Prince William joined her in a perfectly tailored lightweight grey suit paired with a sky-blue tie, subtly matching the Princess’s understated palette. Their joint appearance not only underscores their ongoing support for British sport but reinforces their shared image of dignified modern royalty.
Rumors of other royals attending abounded, and indeed, Zara Tindall and her husband Mike were spotted courtside, dressed in breezy neutrals that exemplified casual aristocratic chic. Their presence highlighted how Wimbledon remains an intergenerational tradition within the royal family, blending sporting passion with style diplomacy.
Hollywood Glamour Arrives
Wimbledon’s draw extends far beyond the UK. Hollywood heavyweights turned out in full force for the 2025 opening weekend. Zendaya, known for her daring red-carpet choices, stunned in a minimalist ivory suit by The Row, paired with delicate strappy sandals and a wide-brimmed hat that nodded to classic garden party aesthetics. Her look captured the Wimbledon spirit: understated, poised, and impossibly chic.
Timothée Chalamet, who accompanied Zendaya, donned a cream linen double-breasted blazer over a soft pastel green shirt, finished with relaxed white trousers and loafers without socks. This laid-back yet polished ensemble epitomized modern masculine summer style, capturing photographers’ attention as he strolled through the entrance.
Meanwhile, British acting royalty, including Emma Corrin and Florence Pugh, turned heads in vintage-inspired dresses and floral prints, leaning into quintessentially English summer motifs. Their choices showcased how Wimbledon remains an arena where emerging fashion trends are tested against timeless classics.
Music Icons in the Royal Box
Music royalty made its presence felt as well. Dua Lipa arrived in a lemon-yellow pleated dress by Loewe, paired with sleek white mules and futuristic oval sunglasses — a look that perfectly balanced retro tennis vibes with her signature contemporary edge. Her presence underscored Wimbledon’s growing status as a global cultural magnet beyond sport.
Sir Elton John, a longtime Wimbledon devotee, chose a custom Gucci suit embroidered with subtle floral patterns, finished with his trademark tinted glasses. His ensemble was a flamboyant yet reverent tribute to tradition, merging his personal style with the event’s refined ethos.
Designers and Fashion Influencers
The fashion industry’s biggest names often view Wimbledon as an open-air catwalk. For 2025, Jonathan Anderson of LOEWE attended in a crisp navy shirt and tailored white trousers, setting a strong example of minimalist summer elegance. Victoria Beckham, a frequent guest, chose a structured midi dress from her own label, emphasizing her modern take on quiet haute.
Fashion influencers flooded social media with their takes on “Wimbledon whites” — a playful twist on the players’ strict dress code. From crisp shirt dresses to tailored suits, these digital tastemakers honored the event’s sartorial heritage while pushing forward individualistic styling
The Power of Subtle Codes
Wimbledon’s style narrative has always been about codes — woven through color, cut, and fabric. Unlike the Met Gala or Cannes, where fashion is loud and performative, Wimbledon requires a quieter, almost private conversation between the wearer and the onlooker. A linen blazer speaks of breezy confidence; a floral tea dress whispers nostalgia; a carefully chosen hat nods to Edwardian garden parties.
In this space, trends manifest not in shocking silhouettes or avant-garde statements but through texture, tailoring, and color harmony. In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in muted pastels, tonal dressing, and natural fabrics like linen and organic cotton, reflecting broader sustainability conversations in fashion. The 2025 arrivals only confirmed this shift, signaling a collective appetite for considered opulence.
The Cultural Context
Wimbledon stands at a fascinating cultural intersection. Unlike fashion week or music festivals, it blends formality with festivity. It is a social calendar highlight for the British upper classes, yet also a global broadcast spectacle attracting millions of viewers worldwide. The arrivals of celebrities and royals represent a ceremonial moment where tradition meets celebrity culture — where heritage is worn as a badge of honor and style becomes a universal language.
The global audience for Wimbledon’s opening day has only expanded in recent years, thanks to live streaming and pervasive social media coverage. The arrivals are dissected in real time on TikTok, Instagram stories, and fashion blogs, proving that even in an age of digital acceleration, the slow elegance of Wimbledon’s dress code holds enduring appeal.
Looking Ahead
As Wimbledon 2025 continues, more celebrities and royals are expected to grace the grounds, each contributing their own interpretation of the event’s unwritten style rules. Speculation is already swirling around final weekend appearances, with rumored guests including Beyoncé and Jay-Z, as well as European royalty like Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
Meanwhile, designers are taking note. Resort collections and pre-fall lines are increasingly inspired by the soft tailoring, pastel palettes, and breezy sophistication on display at Wimbledon. Expect to see echoes of these looks filter down into summer retail drops and editorial spreads over the coming months.
Impression
The opening of Wimbledon 2025 is a reminder that style is not always about shock or subversion. Sometimes, it is about reverence: for history, for craftsmanship, and for the timeless joy of a summer day spent courtside. Celebrities and royals alike understand this, arriving not simply to watch tennis but to partake in a living tradition that spans centuries.
Their outfits, carefully chosen yet seemingly effortless, reflect a respect for the event and an understanding of its cultural significance. As much as we watch for on-court brilliance, we also look to the stands for glimpses of future style icons and new interpretations of classic elegance.
