2014 Wimbledon: Best and Worst Dressed at the All England Club
It's always difficult to stand out at Wimbledon when everyone wears the same color. But this year it was especially tough because officials at the All England Club strictly enforced the all-white rule.
Unlike last year, when players sneaked splashes of color onto the courts, this season even off-white and cream got the boot. So strict are the rules this year, that some of the female players went bra-less to conform.
The result, a nearly colorless affair that forced players to find more creative ways to show their fashion flair.
You can blame sports apparel companies such as Nike and Adidas for the push back from the All England Club. Last year Roger Federer, a Nike ambassador, had his neon orange-soled shoes banned. Meanwhile, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova flashed bright orange bottoms under their white dresses.
Frustrated with companies trying to use their tournament to make a statement, the All England Club had enough.
So what's a girl to do when stripped of color? Bare flesh with mesh, of course. Many women used sheer mesh material to counter the stuffy Wimbledon style. Sloane Stephens appeared to unleash her inner Rihanna with a see-through number.
The men, however, had fewer options. Most wore what looked like middle school gym wear. But even among the sea of white, some players worked it better than others. They did white right. Yet others, proved even all-white can go wrong.
Honorable Mention Best: Serena Williams
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The dress Serena Williams wore for her abbreviated appearance was perhaps the most elegant outfit in the tournament. So why does it only get an honorable mention? Because she's worn it twice before.
It's the same style she wore at the French Open and the 2013 U.S. Open. She must love it so much it's become more like a uniform. Maybe after two early exits from Grand Slams she'll trash this design.
Honorable Mention Worst: Andy Murray
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Like Serena Williams, Andy Murray has taken to wearing the same style at each Grand Slam. Unlike Williams, Murray hasn't adopted a style tailor-made for his body. His shorts always appear too snug in places. Would be nice to see him in a less tapered pair of shorts.
Best: Caroline Wozniacki
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Caroline Wozniacki's choices are usually a big hit or a huge miss. This year, she hit it out of the park. The Adidas dress by Stella McCartney utilizes mesh to create cool contrast. The dress flows nicely. It's the perfect combination of style and functionality.
Worst: Victoria Azarenka
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What an underwhelming outfit for a two-Slam champion's return. Unlike Williams and Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka has never seemed quite comfortable in the role of fashionista. Nike previewed a lovely skirt for her. But Azarenka showed up in something you could find on any recreational player. The tank and shorts were disappointing and a downright dud.
Best: Sloane Stephens
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It's tough to tell from this photo, but Stephens' 2014 Wimbledon by Under Armour was among the most sheer of them all. Especially from the side, you could see clear through to her shorts. Risky, but not quite risque, this simple design looked light and fabulous on Stephens.
Worst: Yaroslava Shvedova
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Yaroslava Shvedova fell victim to indecision. In a clash of style and sensibilities, she wore a flirty Fila dress with an ultra sporty headband and red-trimmed eyewear. Tape around her legs made her sneakers look like high tops.
Every item she wore looks OK individually. Together, it's just a hot mess.
Best: Novak Djokovic
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Novak Djokovic stuck with his signature trim on his Uniqlo white polo and tailored shorts. It's a classic look that suits him well. The soon-to-be father seems to have settled into this style. It works.
Worst: Petra Kvitova
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Petra Kvitova seems unsure of how to show off her 6'0" frame. A boyish polo shirt is not the answer. Long legs scream for short dress. Besides, Kvitova is only 24. Venus Williams, Kvitova's third-round opponent, is 10 years older. So why was Kvitova the one dressing so matronly?
Best: Venus Williams
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Speaking of Venus Williams, this is what you wear when you have miles of legs. Williams, a fashion designer, understands how to flaunt her limbs. Strategically placed mesh inserts at the top of the dress provide a flash of flesh without revealing anything. It's one of her best designs from her Eleven line.
Worst: Andrea Petkovic
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Andrea Petkovic's Wimbledon kit is a prime example of the right outfit on the wrong person. The Adidas design with ruffles is beautifully done. It's dainty and flatters the waist. But it doesn't work with Petkovic's athletic body type. Petkovic, a muscular athlete, might look better in long t-shirt style dresses like those worn by Stephens and Samantha Stosur.
Best: Maria Kirilenko
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Check out Maria Kirilenko in the same dress as Petkovic. This dress is perfect for her smaller size. It accentuates her curves. It matches Kirilenko's style; freshly elegant.
Worst: Jana Cepelova
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Jana Cepelova got away with a little extra orange trim. But she can't get away from this flop of a dress. Agnieszka Radwanska, and a number of other women, wore this same Nixia dress by Lotto. It's supposed to gather at the waist, giving the dress a peplum effect. Instead, on Cepelova, it just looks ill-fitted.
Best: Kei Nishikori
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The always hip Kei Nishikori, the highest-ranked Japanese player ever, brought Samurai chic to the All England Club. The splash of red on his headband complements the red logos on the shorts and shirt.
Worst: Heather Watson
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Heather Watson is the highest-ranked British woman on the WTA Tour. But she hit a low with this dress. Caught somewhere between 1890s swimwear and modern day maternity wear, this dress is all wrong for the youthful Watson.
Best: Jarmila Gajdosova
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Jarmila Gajdosova is certainly not a "name" in women's tennis. But she manages to wear flattering outfits from Venus Williams' Eleven line. The best part about this dress is the beautiful opening in the back.
Worst: Tomas Berdych
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How does a guy who dates a fashion model, poses nude for the ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue and has his own endorsement deal with a clothing line keep coming up with these lame outfits?
Unlike the tailored trim look of Djokovic's ensemble, Berdych's outfit looks sloppy. It's a step above the floral disaster he wore at the French Open. But it remains beneath the stylish guy he is.
Best: Camila Giorgi
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Camila Giorgi manages to always find just the right outfit for her tiny frame. She puts a playful spin on the all-whites with lace accents on her top and skirt.
Worst: Gael Monfils
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Gael Monfils usually makes the best-dressed list at tournaments. That's because he's known for wearing colorful, even funky outfits. This year, however, he went too far, as in too long. These long shorts nearly covered his knees. He stepped too close to that thin line separating comfy causals and pajamas.
Best: Roger Federer
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When was the last time Roger Federer took to the court looking bad? Has he ever? Federer leads the way when it comes to classic court style. This look could fit in a number of bygone eras. His timeless, effortless style suits the all-time great.
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