What To Wear At The Races

Are you on the lookout for the perfect ensemble for a day at the races? Worry not! Our expert teams have meticulously curated a guide to ensure you not only look stunning but also stay comfortably chic, whether you’re headed to the regal grounds of Royal Ascot or enjoying a laid-back afternoon at Newton Abbot.

Dressing up for a “Day at the Races” is a cherished tradition in the UK, especially during grand events such as Glorious Goodwood, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, or the Chester May Festival. While elegance and style take centre stage, it’s not always obligatory; however, it adds to the thrill and experience of race day. Yet, comfort is paramount, considering the possibility of standing outside and extensive walking. Weather-appropriate attire is a must, and the absence of a strict horse racing dress code doesn’t mean overlooking practicality.

Navigate the unique dress codes of various UK racecourses, some of which have stringent rules detailed on their websites. Factor in the ever-changing British weather, and your outfit choices may hinge on the racecourse, specific enclosures, and the time of year. Join us on a journey to discover the perfect racing attire that seamlessly blends sophistication with practicality!

Things to Consider For Your Raceday Outfit

When planning your outfit for a day at the races, make sure you consider the following factors:

1. Time of year – a summer outfit at Newmarket Racecourse or Kempton Racecourse will be different from one at Newbury Racecourse in winter!
2. Which enclosure are you in? Certain parts of racecourses have different dress codes.
3. Weather – as with any outfit, check the weather so you don’t get caught in a shower unprepared.
4. Is it an evening or day meeting – most race meetings take place in the daytime but in the summer months there are often evening meetings (Windsor Racecourse holds lots) and in the winter months there is all-weather racing in the evening at Lingfield, Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Southwell so that you may need a jacket, scarf or pashmina?
5. Racecourse – some racecourses are more relaxed in general and at specific meetings, again, this information can be found on their websites.
6. Dress Codes – Certain race days and major racing events have strict policies, such as Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby.
7. Season – whether you are going in spring, summer, autumn, or winter will naturally affect your choices

So let’s look at some examples…

What to Wear to A Summer’s Horse Racing Meeting – Ladies’ Guide

For a summer’s day at the races, you will no doubt want to look and feel good. For this reason, a lovely summer light dress is often the favoured choice as a classy horse racing outfit for ladies. However, as beautiful and warm as the sun can be, it can turn into a race day disaster if you don’t wear the right outfit.

When attending the races in the summer, the best option is to wear a flowy, elegant dress – something that makes you feel comfortable but also stands out from the crowd.

The flowy dress provides better ventilation, so you don’t get sticky, and helps you avoid any fake tan disasters – for those who prefer that – as we know how terrible that can be!

Simple light colours and pastels are often popular, such as this “Rose Long Sleeve Pleated Midi Dress” from Pretty Little Thing.

Any colour can be worn on a summer’s day, although wearing black and dark colours may not be a brilliant idea as you may get too hot.

Footwear can be a struggle, as you are on your feet for most of the day and often engage in a lot of walking. Unfortunately, walking boots may not suit the look, so we recommend wearing heels such as wedges or block heels. Wedges are the perfect footwear for races, as they are comfortable to walk in, and they match the summer theme with their sandal-type heel.

These wedges are the “ASOS DESIGN Justina espadrille wedges” from ASOS.

Ladies’ Accessories to Wear on a Summer Day

A hat or a fascinator is an excellent choice for many ladies attending a race, especially on a Ladies’ Day. This can make your outfit much more dressy and also keep the sun out of your eyes without the need for sunglasses.

A little bag would be ideal, so you don’t have to carry everything around all day as well.

What to Wear to The Races in Summer – Men

There are always plenty of outfits for men to wear to the race, but it’s finding the right one that stands out on a summer’s day without being too hot.

If you’re someone who likes to dress up in a suit, it’s best to opt for a lightweight one so you don’t get too warm.

With summer here, why not add some colour? A light-coloured suit with a collared shirt would match the summer theme – with it being such a bright day, let’s go with some bright colours!

You may have a favourite suit, and whether it’s navy or black, why not add a coloured shirt (light pink or baby blue) instead of white to lighten up the outfit? A coloured tie can also be a great addition.

This shirt is the “New Look long sleeve muscle fit poplin shirt” in light pink, from ASOS and New Look, which we love.

On a sunny day, you want to wear the least amount of layers possible, even on your feet. Loafers are great to wear to the races as you don’t need to wear them with socks (unless you want to), and they are brilliant horse racing attire.

These shoes are the “H By Hudson Blythe bar loafers” in black suede, from ASOS.

Accessories you could add include a nice pair of sunglasses to keep the sun out of your eyes while watching the horses, and a watch to add some bling to the outfit.

What To Wear At A Winter Horse Racing Meeting – Men

Whether it’s cold or wet, we won’t let the weather ruin your day. Generally, when attending a race, a suit is the best option, as it can be dressed up or down.

Whichever colour shirt you feel is best, bear factors such as the weather in mind. If it is raining, the rain may show on your suit, and that won’t look good for all the photos you’ll be taking.

Wearing a suit in winter looks smarter as you can add a waistcoat under your jacket for an extra layer and button your shirt to the top with a tie to keep you warmer. It is ideal to wear a thicker, fluffier suit, which would make a huge difference.

You don’t want to be walking around cold with a wetsuit all day, so why not add a smart overcoat and scarf to keep you dry and warm, as shown in the example below?

The footwear we recommend is the derby shoe. These are smart and wearable with socks; they pair well with any type of suit, offering a vast variety of colours.

These shoes are the “Black Briar Derby Shoes” from TopMan. These would be great for more prestigious meetings.

Going to A Winter Horse Racing Meeting – Ladies

Looking for the perfect winter race day outfit? The most important thing is to stay warm in your winter racing outfits, because if you’re cold while at the races, it will ruin your whole experience – trust me, I’ve been there.

On a cold day, a jumpsuit could be ideal for horse racing attire, as it fully covers your legs, keeping you warm. If you’re more of a dress type person, then a maxi dress could be best suited as more skin is covered. Soon you’ll be among the best-dressed racegoers!

When planning what to wear to the races in winter, consider factors such as long sleeves and the amount of coverage you need to avoid a breeze.

This jumpsuit is the “Total Goddess Cobalt One Shoulder Wide Leg Jumpsuit” from Pink Boutique.

If you wear a dress, you could add some tights to keep your legs warmer and a long, fashionable coat to go over the top.

Footwear for winter is essential because what could be worse than numb toes while you’re at the races? You could add some heel boots, as these will cover all of your feet and keep them warm, while also looking very smart and trendy.

Adding some leather gloves to keep your hands warm would be one of the best decisions you could make; otherwise, you won’t be able to feel your fingers by the end of the day. Get a colour to match your style, and this could also be used as an accessory.

What to Wear to the Races – Casual Looks

For some race meetings, you can dress casually; in fact, bright casual horse racing outfits are probably the most popular look seen on weekday meetings.

Whether you are looking for women’s or men’s race outfits, casual looks are favoured.

Casual looks for men include smart jeans, chinos, and bright-coloured pants. You can also wear smart, clean trainers to many courses. For ladies, similar smart trousers and jeans are also popular, with jumpers or shirts depending on the weather. Practical footwear is again permitted; hats are not necessary.

What to Wear to the Cheltenham Festival

There is no official dress code at Cheltenham. Due to the festival taking place in March, attendees’ dress choices may be influenced by the weather. The Cheltenham Racecourse advises attendees to dress appropriately for the weather, yet many women still wear hats.

Anything goes at The Festival, from feathers to tweed, gowns to caps. In all enclosures, restaurants, and hospitality facilities, gentlemen often wear a suit or similar attire.

The Cheltenham Festival does not have an official dress code; however, professional clothing is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions about What to Wear at the Races

Here are the most popular questions we get asked about how to dress for the races:

Can you wear jeans to the races?

You can wear jeans to the races, although this does depend on which part of the racecourse you are in.

If you are attending a formal meeting or the main grandstand, we advise against wearing jeans.

Certain racecourses even have dress codes and may not permit jeans, so be sure to check the horse racing dress code before selecting your outfits.

A Newton Abbot races dress code and a Bath racecourse dress code could be entirely different from a Chester races ladies’ day dress code!

There is a dress code at Newmarket races that you must follow, whether it is the ladies’ day Newmarket dress code, the Newmarket owners’ dress code, or the complete Newmarket races grandstand dress code.

What shoes should I wear to the races?

Footwear for the races requires a lot of thought; your shoes need to be comfortable for walking, as you will be doing a lot of it, but also need to look smart.

For women, we recommend footwear such as wedges, and for men, loafers or derbies are suggested.

Can you wear black to the races?

You can wear black to the races, although it’s fun to get suited up for the races, and your outfit should mirror that.

Therefore, consider choosing a colourful or seasonal outfit that you wouldn’t necessarily choose.

Black is trendy, but you can play around with bold colours for the races. Also, each racecourse has its own style; for example, a Lingfield racecourse’s summer dress code will be different from a winter dress code at Wolverhampton racecourse.

Do I have to wear a hat for the horse races?

You do not need to wear a hat for most races at meetings.

However, at places such as Royal Ascot in the Royal Enclosure, for instance, it is required that all gentlemen wear a three-piece morning suit and top hat at all times. At all times, ladies must wear a hat or headpiece in the Royal Enclosure.

Can you wear a jumpsuit to the races?

You can wear a jumpsuit to the races; you don’t have to wear luxury women’s dresses for the races!

Where formal dresses were once your only choice, at most racing events, jumpsuits and stylish formal trousers are now appropriate. Jumpsuits and trousers must be full-length rather than cropped for formal events.

Always check the dress code for the racecourse you are attending before deciding what to wear, as some racecourses may not allow jumpsuits.

What do you wear to the races in winter?

What to wear to horse races in the winter is determined by the weather and the course dress code.

You can usually find Southwell races in the autumn and winter months; therefore, knowing the Southwell races dress code is essential!

Wool dresses and trousers are heavier than most other fabrics, providing a little extra comfort and warmth, which limits the need for layers.

This will make it easier for you to stay warm outside. Coats for the races should also be thought about, so you stay dry and comfortable.

What to wear to the Derby Day races as a man?

The Derby Day race is more sophisticated than most, and black and white are the standard attire.

It’s a classic fashion day, where gentlemen wear top hats, lounge suits, and pinstripes.

What to wear to Ladies’ Day at the races?

If you’re looking for ladies’ day outfit ideas, you’ll want to wear something comfortable that stands out at Ladies’ Day at the races.

Bold variations of colours, stylish jewellery, accessories or a unique hat will help you stand out from the competition. Go above and beyond on Ladies’ Day and wear something you love!

Summary of What to Wear At The Races

As you can see, there are many variables and options to consider when choosing your race’s clothes, everything from casual wear to designer evening gowns for the races.

The main thing is to make sure that you feel comfortable and have a great day.

Most racecourses have different rules and regulations, but we hope that we have given you some inspiration, so whether you’re attending a summer or winter meeting, you have a great day.

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