Forget The Players, Fashion Rule-Breakers Won Wimbledon

As the sun sets on Wimbledon, it’s safe to say that there have been just as many serves in the stands as there were on the court. Spectators brought their finest looks to the British tennis tournament, from Keira Knightley in a summery white one-shouldered Chanel dress, to Alexa Chung in a preppy cable-knit sweater and khaki midi-skirt. But at the most formal of all the Grand Slam tournaments, the fashion rule-breakers stood out this year.

While there’s technically no dress code for Wimbledon, the sartorial MO is smart casual: sharp blazers and sundresses are par for the course. But this time around, we’d like to salute those who opted to play by their own rules.

Charli xcx.

Neil Mockford

Jodie Turner-Smith.

Karwai Tang

Deep in the throes of a Brat summer, Charli xcx chose to forgo the brightly hued shirtdresses for a sheer black crocheted skirt set from Beaufille, worn over a black bra and underwear, and accessorised with knee-high lace socks and Gianvito Rossi slingbacks.

Meanwhile, in contrast to Charli’s monochrome display, Jodie Turner-Smith went full throttle on colour, wearing a boho-meets-preppy mishmash of prints from Ralph Lauren Collection. It’s an equally surprising choice for the brand – which hosted its traditional lunch at the tournament with British Vogue. But among the stripes and suiting, Turner-Smith embraced her individuality in her purple patterned pants and silk bomber.

Nathalie Emmanuel.

Darren Gerrish

Grace Jones.

Photo: Getty Images

Some female attendees subverted Wimbledon standards by opting for traditional menswear. Nathalie Emmanuel was perhaps the most formidable dresser in a white double-breasted suit, which she wore with a blue and white dress shirt and a navy patterned tie. But with her brown pointy-toe heels and septum piercing, she gave the whole thing a twist.

And what list of rule-breakers would be complete without Grace Jones? The singular singer ditched tenniscore altogether in favour of a navy flight suit, aviator hat, and aviator sunglasses.