Since 1877, Wimbledon Tennis has been one of the most recognised tennis championships, hosting hundreds of royals, celebrities, and visitors from around the world and playing a central role in the foundation of many famous tennis careers. As far back as the nineteenth century, the accepted tennis outfit for players were plain white, long-sleeved shirts and trousers for men and full-length corseted white dresses and hats for women. It was not until the 1920s and 1930s that the players, (particularly the female players), began to experiment with their clothing. Shorter skirts, shorts and sleeveless tops were all introduced, some more daring than others, to provide ease of movement and an expression of individual personality and style. While tennis style evolved to be practical and comfortable this was never at the expense of fashion. High-profile athletes like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova found their own ways to have fun with their outfits, (think tennis dresses made of lace and even denim) and often attract as much attention for what they wear as their backhands. Tennis outfits have often inspired the masses too, like the white V-neck sweater used by Bill Tilden, still today remaining a classic staple in men’s fashion. Advances ...
