Women’s
Fashion Evolution in Wimbledon since 1890:
In the 127 years history of Wimbledon, the tennis apparel
has changed drastically. The first woman to play in tournament wore full length
dress as tennis apparel.
In 1890 British player Lottle DOD winner of Wimbledon wore calf length skirt because of being a school girl.
In 1905 May Sutton Bundy cause a stir by
rolling back the cuffs of her dress revealing her wrist which she later
complained were “too long and hot”.
In 1913 Dorothea Lambert Chambers winner of Wimbledon for
seven years triumphed on court while wearing two or three stiff petticoats as
well as corsets.
In 1926 Suzanne wore a flimsy, revealing calf length cotton
frock with short sleeves. Suzanne
Lenglen the first woman who freed women players from the tyranny of
corsets.
In 1933 Helen Wills Moody during a semi-final match at Wimbledon
made the golf style eye shade fashionable and played in a white blouse and a
pleated skirt.
In 1937 Alice Marble gave a more masculine fashion statement
by wearing flannel shorts and crew neck t-shirt.
In 1936 Also Helen Jacobs was another fan of more masculine
style.
Pauline Betz who was found wearing
jockey caps, short sleeved shirts and skirts or shorts dominated the immediate
Wimbledon years.
In 1949 Gertrude Moran was dressed by tennis fashion guru Ted
Tinling. Beneath her regulations satin-trimmed white dress was the occasional
glimpse of lace knickers.
Post 70 s the outfit became shorter and tighter. This evolution
was made by Margaret Court in 1971.
In 80 s and 90 s development of breathable and lightweight fabrics was
seen.
In 2002 the time
period of noughties the focus switched to looks with Anna Kournikova and others
wearing ever shorter outfits.
Many more fashion focused elements
were seen such as Maria Sharapora’s tuxedo style top in 2008.
Later in 2012 Serena Williams managed to sneak some hot pink in her
Wimbledon outfit.
