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Christmas is a busy time of year for horse racing – there are full festive race cards at the likes of Kempton and Epsom and with Cheltenham and Aintree on the horizon, choosing your wardrobe for the winter racing season is as imperative as choosing which horse to have a flutter on!
Neither the Cheltenham Downs nor the English North-West are known for tropical temperatures in March and April, so with Boxing Day sales impending, make use of our handy guide and ensure you’re sartorially certified when it comes to Cheltenham and the Grand National. Despite the Jockey Club having just announced a relaxation of the rules around dress code and are encouraging people to “dress as they feel most comfortable and confident”, you still want to look the part when you take to the track this winter.
Whether you’re male or female, selecting the right racing threads can be a fine balance between style and weatherproofing! Tactical layering is the order of the day and selecting the appropriate colours, fabrics, designs, and accessories are paramount to achieving your flawless festival façade. The unpredictability of the English climate can also wreak havoc with your adopted apparel choices, so being prepared is also a critical consideration for any racegoer this winter.
So, given the pitfalls in choosing what to wear at the races, here’s our guide to staying chic at the racecourse this winter.
What To Wear for Ladies
Headwear
Leave the fascinators at home ladies, when it comes to winter racing fashion, the hat game is all about one of two main options, the fedora, and the smaller brimmed trilby. Traditional, classic and an enduring accessory for any day at the races this winter.
Darker shades of black, blue, green and burgundy as well as more neutral beige tones like sand, camel, tawny and taupe are the prevailing colour choices and in terms of fabric, we would recommend 100% wool with a luxury satin lining. Stick to these principles and your headwear will be the perfect accessory to accentuate the rest of your outfit.
Check out the Hick’s and Brown headwear collection for this season’s perfect racing designs.
Coats and Blazers
The essential ingredient to any racing outfit and you will not go wrong with one of two options, the trench coat, or the blazer.
The trench coat should be a wardrobe staple that can be used for a variety of occasions but when it comes to the races, colour and fabric are your main considerations. Bright, bold colours such as red can create a chic statement look, perfect if you want to stand out at any racing event. Beige is still all the rage at the races too, so in a similar vein to headwear, the neutral colour palette is set to be a key trend this winter.
Timeless, versatile, and eternally en vogue, tweed will also always be a showstopper at any racing event. No matter whether its twill, barleycorn, herringbone or houndstooth, tweed offers an effortlessly elegant country look, guaranteed to deliver both practicality and style.
The blazer on the other hand is a modish, trans-seasonal wardrobe essential that can create a sharp tailored silhouette worn open or closed. Slightly more casual than the trench coat, the blazer is a definitive racing garment.
Take a look at clothing brands like Holland Cooper and Fairfax & Favor for the latest racing styles.
Bags
Go with compact, leather, and small and you won’t go far wrong! The correctly chosen bag can be a perfect accompaniment to your ensemble and with embossed styles such as croc-print, quilted and pebbled especially popular this winter season, bag yourself the ultimate accessory by looking at British brands such as Osprey London, Mulberry, and Aspinal of London.
Footwear
Whether you choose a sturdy, comfy, chunky heel or a more traditional flat, boots should be the primary candidate when selecting footwear for the races. Trying to avoid sinking into the turf like a highly refined tent peg should also be of the upmost concern! Defending your toes against the elements is vital so go with leather or suede – the higher the rise and the warmer you’ll be.
Colour choice should accentuate the rest of your outfit but go with black or any shade in the brown spectrum and you’ll be hot to trot for the races.
Jewellery & Additional Accessories
Statement jewellery should be reserved for the summer flat racing events at the likes of Ascot and Epsom – when it comes to National Hunt jump racing in the winter, jewellery should be an understated accoutrement.
Scarves on the other hand are almost mandatory if you’re to stay warm whilst cheering your horse past the winning post. Cashmere and fur remain the ever-popular fabric choices, delivering that look and quality feel required to be truly fashionable at the racecourse.
What To Wear for Men
Headwear
As well as the fedora and trilby, the flat cap is the predominant choice of hat for men at the races. Whether it be a vintage newsboy, a classic Gatsby or a timeless Shelby popularised by gangster character Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders, the flat cap is the epitome of male racing headwear.
Coats and Blazers
When it comes to picking the right racing clobber, the country gent look will always triumph as the most popular choice. The same guide we applied for women’s coats and blazers can be applied to the man’s wardrobe as well.
The trench coat and blazer are extremely popular amongst men too, but boys also have an additional item of outerwear they can employ in their racing arsenal – the gilet. Perfect for staying warm and smart enough to accompany trousers and shoes, the gilet has become a go-to garment for racegoers. The gilet is of course not designed exclusively for men and has become a popular wardrobe staple for many women on race day too.
Check out Schöffel’s extensive high-quality range if this is the item of outerwear for you.
Socks
You might think that it goes without saying, but some racecourses have recently updated their dress codes to note that socks are essential! Remember too that any rules about novelty items will apply, so if you’re heading to a VIP area, perhaps best leave your Darth Vader socks at home. Try and match your socks with your suit and you’ll be perfectly coordinated.
Footwear
Smart footwear is considered appropriate at virtually all racing events. That means that pretty much anywhere you go, trainers will be a no-no. Formal footwear such as Oxford or Derby shoes or brogues are the right choice with lace-ups being the safest bet. The Chelsea boot is also exceptionally popular on race day, especially if conditions are particularly inclement.
Traditional English brands like Barker, Cheaney and Church’s provide an excellent range of high-quality men’s shoes, check them out and you’ll be sure to find the right pair of shoes for race day.
Ties
As with other aspects of menswear for racegoers, the question of what to wear around your neck may be determined by racecourse rules. Jump racing tends to be slightly less formal, so some racegoers will choose to wear a tie, while others won’t.
If you’re wrapped up with overcoat and scarf, your tie may not be noticed, however if it compliments the rest of your outfit, go for it!
Pocket Squares
The pocket square is often the star accessory that many men forget about when assembling their race day outfit. Whilst not essential, suit and blazer wearing racegoers will look extra smart with a pocket square.
The choice of colour and fold is yours, but a traditional option is to match the colour and pattern to your tie. Consider also how the colour and fabric will work with your shirt. If you’ve chosen more sombre shades a pocket square can inject some colour into your get-up.
Avoid cartoon prints or slogans and remember, some racecourses will refuse you admission to premium areas if you’re wearing a novelty item. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you might even consider a cravat or pocket watch.
For some visual inspiration, check out our Hospitality Finder winter race day outfit picks here on Pinterest.
