Cheltenham is one of the biggest horse racing events in the United Kingdom. Those lucky enough to attend need to dress for style and the weather. We discuss Cheltenham fashion in the article below.
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the biggest National Hunt meetings in UK racing. It usually coincides with St. Patrick’s Day, making it a festival of celebration and revelry. Always being slightly cold and wet, dressing for the event requires careful planning. We discuss how to get Cheltenham fashion right in the article below.
Dressing for the Weather
You may have seen racegoers on television or online, decked out in their finery and summer dresses. Unfortunately, Cheltenham is at a very different time of year than these events. This means you can’t just put on a dress or suit and be done with it. You need a stylish outfit that will protect you from the elements and harsh British weather. The course and festival itself actually don’t have a dress code, and the website says you should dress for the season. However, you will want to look great while doing this.
Essential Accessories
There are a few accessories that will help you get the most from Cheltenham itself, and not just your outfit. The first is to make sure you pack your handbag with a trusted betting app. While you can make bets at the course, and that is part of the excitement, an app gives you more flexibility. A time may come when you are socialising or having a bite to eat. Being able to place bets online means you don’t have to rush to a bookmaker before the next race. Many of the best betting sites may even offer Cheltenham free bets as a promotion. It is estimated that over £500 million is invested in the festival every year, so it stands to reason sportsbooks would want to attract people’s attention with offers when they are on.
Men’s Cheltenham Fashion
Men can still opt for the suit and shoes combination. However, you will need a hefty coat to go with this. An overcoat is perfect, particularly one that suits the outfit. If you are planning on moving out of the grandstand, you may want to switch the dress shoes for boots. A stylish hat such as a fedora is also a great addition.
Women’s Cheltenham Fashion
When it comes to female dressing for the course, the coat is really the statement of the day. The past few seasons have seen long, flowing jackets really come into their own. Warm, layered fabrics to accentuate it should be included underneath. Most people tend to avoid a skirt due to wind, so opt for trousers. Boots are another favourite, as they protect you and give some grip on the muddy ground off the concourse.
Bags and Binoculars
Of course, you need the perfect bag to hold this in. Ideally, a clutch bag would suit most outfits, but it may not be large enough to take all the items you need on the day. An alternative is to bring a coat in which you can store perfume, makeup, phones, and keys. When it comes to bags, all types are searched for when entering the course. While they do have a restricted bag policy, handbags and backpacks of a reasonable size will seldom be turned away once they have been searched.
While old school, a good pair of binoculars is always a perfect addition to a Cheltenham outfit. They can be in a case or hung on a lanyard around the neck. This will prevent you from having to look at screens when the horses are further out, which can take away some of the enjoyment.
Cheltenham Festival Classics
There are some colours, fabrics, and styles that will always remain fashionable and look great at Cheltenham. Nothing encapsulates this more than tweed. Once a cheap fabric produced en masse in the postwar period, there are now few fabrics that sum up Britain’s countryside culture. This extends to horse racing, and it has long been the fabric choice for trainers and owners. Harris Tweed is the most well-known brand, but Taylor and Twill are another high-end company that uses this beautiful fabric. A long jacket will protect you from the elements while keeping you looking great.
Natural Fabrics
This also extends to other fabrics with a natural look, and few come as naturally as wool. A stylish, luxurious piece of knitwear will keep you warm and be a fantastic addition to your outfit. Choose jumpers, cardigans, tank tops, and even throw-over-style capes. Turtlenecks and roll collars can keep out even the most draughty of blasts blowing across the course. Natural fabrics can extend even further, going to leather boots and hats to keep out the best of the thick March mud.
Planning Your Outfit
Start shopping around for your items in advance. Ideally, pick pieces you will use time and time again, not just a one-off outfit. Make sure you are warm, layer up, and choose natural fabrics. After this, all you need to pick are the winners.