What to Wear to the Tennis:
A Spectator Style Guide

Your courtside styling guide from Polo Ralph Lauren —
Official Outfitter of the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

Spectator style is all about effortless polish. And with tennis being widely considered one of the most stylish spectator sports, the Australian Open in Melbourne is an opportunity to really lean into that sense of sophisticated summer event dressing.

As the Official Outfitter of three Grand Slam tournaments — the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open — Ralph Lauren has a long heritage of tennis outfitting for global tournaments. Which means we have got tennis spectator outfits to suit every style — from sporty casual and preppy chic, to polished tailoring and courtside classics. Whatever your personal aesthetic, Polo Ralph Lauren is your go-to destination for Australian Open outfit ideas that will help keep your looks on point.

What is Spectator Style?

So what actually is spectator style and where is one to start? Dressing for a day at the tennis is all about leisurely polish — blending comfort with sophistication for long summer days spent courtside. And with an extensive heritage outfitting global tennis tournaments, Ralph Lauren has got you covered when it comes to Australian Open outfit ideas.

Tennis spectator outfits traditionally range from courtside casual to relaxed tailoring, depending on your personal style and preferences. A good rule of thumb when dressing for tennis tournaments, though, is to lean into laidback sophistication with lightweight layers and polished silhouettes. This is particularly important in Australia, where summer event dressing means gravitating towards breathable natural fabrics and styles that offer a sense of sun protection for those hot summer days. Think Ralph Lauren polo shirts or dresses for daytime and unstructured blazers or lightweight knits for evening.

Courtside Casual

With the Australian Open being held during the height of Melbourne summer, this tournament invites an opportunity to embrace courtside casual looks that are crafted in breathable natural fabrics. Think lightweight linen layers and summer knits for unexpected weather.

Linen shirts and preppy polo classics are a great choice for men, paired back with relaxed bottoms like chinos or linen shorts. While polo dresses and a-line styles in soft cotton poplin offer a breezy choice for women.

When putting together your casual tennis outfits, opt for comfortable footwear like white sneakers or flat leather sandals. And incorporate a pop of colour for a touch of interest with bright trims and bold accents in the accessory department.

Tailored Looks

Polo Ralph Lauren’s smart casual staples offer a plethora of options for polished summer event dressing. Whether you are attending an evening match or dining between matches, we have got the tailored summer outfits to suit your style.

In the menswear department, breathable Oxford shirts offer a timeless option — especially when teamed with chino pants and an unstructured blazer for evening match dressing.

Polished staples for women that fit the smart casual dress code include structured dresses in belted silhouettes like a tailored shirt dress. You can even add a little lift with low heeled sandals or espadrilles to elevate your look for evening.

Whatever the brief, just think laidback sophistication when crafting your smart casual tennis outfits for the Australian Open.

Menswear Outfit Ideas

Men’s summer spectator style is all about balancing comfort with a sense of relaxed polish. Think monochrome navy-on-navy ensembles that embrace the timeless tennis colour palette. Or a court-classic combination like a polo shirt and a pair of tailored shorts.

Depending on your personal style, you can lean into the preppy aesthetic with a lightweight cable knit and a crisp pair of chinos or channel your inner adventurer with a striped shirt paired back with a sun-savvy raffia hat.

Versatility is often key for a day out at the Australian Open too, so a tailored blazer is ever your best friend when it comes to dressing for evening matches or unexpected cold snaps. Single and double breasted styles can be tossed on over a linen shirt or polo with ease and will pull your look together effortlessly.

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Womenswear Outfit Ideas

Nothing captures courtside chic quite like Australian resortwear staples. When styling women’s tennis outfits, think lightweight layers in natural fabrications like linen and flowing cotton for a breathable yet sophisticated approach.

Dresses are always a great choice for the warmer weather, with some summer dress outfit ideas including a navy cable-knit polo dress teamed with white sneakers for a preppy chic aesthetic. Or a relaxed tailoring approach with a belted white shirt dress paired with flat sandals and a raffia hat. Meanwhile, a bright trim or a bold pop of colour in the accessory department can help to add character and personality to your courtside look.

Melbourne summer can mean unpredictable weather conditions, however, so a lightweight cable knit provides the perfect layering option for tossing on over a mini or midi dress in cooler conditions. While a classic linen blazer makes an effortless choice for evening matches and can even be styled back with a matching a-line skirt for a polished ensemble.

Whatever your personal style, think comfortable sophistication when putting together women’s tennis outfits for the Australian Open.

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Accessories & Essentials

When curating your summer event accessories for a day out at the tennis, sun protection is as much of a consideration as style. Long summer days spent courtside make hats like classic caps and raffia styles a great option for your headwear of choice, while sunglasses are also a must.

For ease and comfort throughout the day, lightweight bag styles including tote bags offer an effortless choice — with bonus points awarded for incorporating tennis-inspired colours like navy, white, or bright accents into your spectator essentials.

Comfortable footwear is also essential when making your way around Rod Laver Arena. So think flat sandals or white sneakers — a nod to the long legacy of tennis style both on and off the court.

Just think effortless polish when dressing for the Australian Open and you can’t go wrong.

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