2021.3.1

1993

A classic wool blazer is the traditional style worn by professional tennis umpires at Wimbledon Grand Slam matches. The official colors of Wimbledon officiants are dark green and purple. However, tennis players must wear white with only touches of color in the form of brand endorsements including logos. While chair umpires and linesmen wear dark green, ball girls and boys have transitioned to navy blue and cream-colored uniforms after Ralph Lauren began designing for Wimbledon tennis in 2005. The regal Championships Wimbledon embroidered breast patch adds a mark of distinction for umpires such as Mary Lou Tierney who earned the honor, through years of training, to become a tennis umpire at one of the world's most prestigious tournaments.

During the early part of the 19th century, blazers were associated with menswear as collegiate rowers from Oxford and Cambridge wore this garment as a warm-up jacket. Eventually women would adopt blazer styled garments as influenced by designer Coco Chanel who created modernized two-piece skirted suits after WWI. With the acceptance of the pantsuit in the 1960s, blazers have evolved into a staple of feminine wardrobes regarding power dressing and work attire. The tailored design suits a gender fluid appeal making this garment perfect for officiants that oversee the Wimbledon Championships.