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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My friend is ruining my Wimbledon experience!!!

198 replies

LadyGarcia · 05/07/2023 14:07

So I managed to get tickets for Wimbledon, during the finals weekend and am going with my university friend and it's something we've been planning for a long time - to go Wimbledon.

Now I'm quite simple and I'm happy put on some makeup and a dress, head out and enjoy my day and the experience.

However since the tickets have been booked, my friend has done nothing but hammer my phone day and night about how she will be dressing up on the day from ordering Hermes Sandals to a Dior Bag to even looking for a GOLD sunglasses chain etc...

I really regret asking her now, I just want to go and enjoy my day - I love Wimbledon and it's my happy place (as in the tournament itself) so be actually be in the grounds is just a dream come true but now I feel almost like I need to dress up just as much as her and look good on the day, I don't want to burn my money and on designer sandals and a designer bag (not that I will) but I can't help care now about how ugly I'll look next to her!

AIBU?

OP posts:
doorstopper123 · 06/07/2023 18:50

I dont remember anyone being hugely dressy at Wimbledon when I went

i remember thinking there were loads of scruffs there . It’s not the royal enclosure of ascot

MummBRaaarrrTheEverLeaking · 06/07/2023 18:51

I've got tickets to the women's final (got lucky in the LTA ballot and was in the online queue for an absolute AGE). I might pop to Next for a dress but if I can't find anything I won't stress, I've got a dress that'll do (that I wear all the time since I gained a few pounds recently but meh). I'm looking forward to enjoying myself and having a pimms, last time I went I was pregnant and in the nausea phase 🤢

doorstopper123 · 06/07/2023 18:52

Hermes sandals aren't anything special though. Just looked on their website

Expensive sliders

Littleladygeorge · 06/07/2023 19:00

Your friend will possibly regret burning her money on that lot. Go in your normal comfy clothes and just enjoy yourself, comfort is key for a day of watching tennis, not the name on your shoes or handbag, nobody really gives a t*ss about that lot in Wimbledon. They’re there to watch the tennis, not label watch.

Buffs · 06/07/2023 19:08

Why would her choice of clothes ruin your day?

PalominoUK · 06/07/2023 19:17

She's only going to ruin it if you let her.

mondaytosunday · 06/07/2023 19:50

You don't have to dress up for Wimbledon. Save your money and wear what you were going to wear.

Toomuchtrouble4me · 06/07/2023 20:14

You are BVU. Part of your friends excitement is all this designer stuff she likes, and that’s fine. It doesn’t have to be your thing too. And wearing designer bling will not make her pretty, nor will not wearing it make you ugly. Both enjoy it, in your own ways!

LaDamaDeElche · 06/07/2023 20:44

You do you and let her do her. If she wants to dress up like that, who cares. The only people who will be looking at either of you if each other. Everyone else will be watching the tennis and the famous people.

LaDamaDeElche · 06/07/2023 20:44

*is

Eventingmum · 07/07/2023 09:02

I have a friend who does this too. WE are off to the Yorkshire show next week and it looks like rain and showers so she is most upset her plans to wear summer dresses are in ruins!

I'm just like- get a grip - lol

Rosietheravisher · 07/07/2023 09:05

doorstopper123 · 06/07/2023 18:50

I dont remember anyone being hugely dressy at Wimbledon when I went

i remember thinking there were loads of scruffs there . It’s not the royal enclosure of ascot

Do we always have to follow the (scruffy) crowd?

Avondale89 · 07/07/2023 09:20

Your friend isn’t doing anything wrong. She can wear whatever she wants. This is your issue and probably worry working on your self esteem.

Avondale89 · 07/07/2023 09:21

Or alternatively, get different friends that you don't feel compelled to bitch about online. She’s clearly excited and this is how she shows it.

EggInANest · 07/07/2023 09:26

“LOL, I think I am the wrong audience for all this fashion excitement, I am sure you will look great whatever you wear: surprise me on the day! Change subject to Comments about matches you might see etc”

EggInANest · 07/07/2023 09:27

Didn’t Meghan wear ripped knee jeans to Wimbledon?

ZenNudist · 07/07/2023 09:30

"I've checked the seats, turns out we are not sat next to Wills and Kate after all so you can stand down on the finery"

MachineBee · 07/07/2023 09:32

If it helps OP, I was at Wimbledon yesterday and wore jeans, white t-shirt and cardigan. And most importantly comfortable trainers as you can end doing a lot of walking and climbing steps. I wasn’t out of place, but was probably in the minority although there were others in jeans and t-shirts. I was concerned about being cold at the back of Court No 1 and on my way home otherwise I would have worn a summer dress and flat sandals, which is what about half of women were wearing. The rest were in shorts, trousers, jumpsuits or jeans. I don’t remember seeing any ripped designer jeans at all.

There were quite a lot of people in fairly flash outfits (including men in linen suits and even ties seemed to be worn) and I really didn’t see anyone in very casual scruffy clothing. The main look was very preppy, middle-class relaxed.

Have a wonderful time - it really is the most magical place - focus on the tennis and enjoy your day.

Apricotjoy · 07/07/2023 15:38

Maybe dressing up is her happy place. It shouldn't effect you

londonrach · 07/07/2023 15:42

I've been in Primark jeans and a marks and Spencer top. Tbh I no idea what designer is as most people seemed to be wearing what I was....tbh I prefer queen's. Wimbledon is better seen on TV as it's so busy. However enjoy it, it's amazing experience and congratulations on getting the tickets, wear whatever you feel comfortable in

ellyeth · 07/07/2023 17:59

I think you should go in something you find comfortable and attractive. Your friend sounds as if she is going to look over-dressed and a bit silly, particularly as it is a sporting occasion.

I blame Ascot!

NutellaNut · 07/07/2023 18:19

I went to Wimbledon on Wednesday, wearing ‘smart casual’ which is what the vast majority of people wear. It is absolutely NOT like Ascot on ladies day! handful of people dress up a bit more smartly - mostly seen hanging around in the bar /corporate areas, not actually bothering to take their seats. ( I had centre court tickets and there were some corporate seats in front of mine, empty for most of the day except for about 1/2 hour of the Djokovic match when they turned up for a bit then disappeared again. )
David Beckham was in the Royal box wearing a beige jacket - smart casual rather than super smart.

The vast majority of people were dressed quite ordinarily, carrying rucksacks, umbrellas and rain jackets. I had finals weekend tickets last year and it was a lovely hot sunny day, so summer dresses and sun hats were what most women were wearing. (Partner wore chinos and a linen shirt and looked great. ) Honestly, don’t worry about your friend dressing up to the nines, it’s really not needed, you’ll look fine.

WombatChocolate · 07/07/2023 19:44

I went earlier this week. There is a huge range of what people wear. It really does range from full-on dressed up, to large numbers of ladies in lovely summer dresses and designer sunglasses and men in blazers and chinos, to people in their shorts and t-shirts. All of it is okay.

Typically there are more people in he more dressy outfits in the show courts. Quite a lot of them are enjoying company hospitality and going into the fancy restaurants. Seeing people passing in lovely outfits (not Ascot type, but there are certainly designer dresses, handbags and people who see it as an opportunity to dress up) is part of Wimbledon. Lots of people on all courts are in lovely summer dresses, often with sandals or trainers. It’s not the case that everyone is in shorts or scruffy, although plenty of people are in shorts and that’s fine too.

The point is, people can wear what they like and really none of it is out of place. I guess OP is concerned she will be with her friend and is a bit concerned about them both being very differently dressed. It won’t matter. But perhaps OP fears people (who these people are though I’m not sure…no-one will be paying them much attention as they scurry by to get a drink or get back to their seats) will judge her negatively in relation to her friend. It sounds like she cares more about what she looks like and wears than she’s actually saying.

Dressing up isn’t out of place. I’m surprised lots of people have said it is….it certainly isn’t on Centre and No1. But as an earlier poster says, much of it is preppy middle class dressing up, not Ascot type clingy dresses, cleavage and hats.

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 07/07/2023 20:02

Maybe dressing up is her 'happy place'.... let her do what makes her happy and do you.

Friends should let friends be. It's not like she's going on about you not making an effort or pushing you to buy anything.

If you feel you won't look good next to her you could get a beautiful summer dress from h&m or even Primark and accessorize to dress it up.
If that's not you then go as you most feel comfortable.

She's allowed to dress up if she wants and you're allowed to be yourself too.

LubaLuca · 07/07/2023 20:08

Chocolateship · 05/07/2023 14:18

It sounds like she's excited to be honest, if you don't want to talk about clothes just be honest and say you're excited for the tennis and the atmosphere but aren't that bothered about what people are wearing.

I agree. She's excited, she's used it as an excuse to treat herself, she isn't doing any harm, and she isn't telling you what to wear.

It couldn't ruin your enjoyment, I don't know why you're bothered. Just tell her you're not interested in her outfit if she is nonstop going on about it.