What to Wear to the Races, Whatever the Weather
Written by Artemis Clo
A day at the races is one of the great British outings: a bit of a flutter, a bit of fresh air and a great deal of people watching. Knowing what to wear to the races depends on two things, the enclosure you are in and the season, and both are easier to read than the form guide.
What to wear to the races: check the enclosure first
Most racecourses have more than one enclosure, and each can have its own races dress code. The general areas are usually relaxed: smart casual, with sportswear and fancy dress sometimes not allowed. The premium enclosures are dressier, and at the grandest summer meetings the rules can be precise, down to the length of a dress or the kind of hat. Every racecourse publishes its dress code on its website, so a two-minute check before you buy an outfit saves a lot of worry.
Whatever the rules, a dress is the easiest answer. A geometric print midi shirt dress looks smart without being fussy and lets you walk freely between the paddock and the stands. For a summer meeting with a dressier feel, a floral wrap maxi dress with a belt feels right at home. The dresses collection has many more in prints and plains.
Dresses to start with
A few pieces that fit what you have just read.
Geometric Print Midi Shirt Dress
Floral Wrap Maxi Dress with Puff Sleeves and Belt
Wrap V-Neck Midi Dress with Puff Sleeves
Summer race days
Summer racing is the season of florals, colour and hats. A summer race day outfit usually starts with a midi dress, a jacket or wrap for later, and shoes that cope with lawns. Ladies' Day, if your meeting has one, is the dressiest of all, and a Ladies' Day outfit can be as bright and joyful as you like.
Two things catch people out. The first is the wind: racecourses are wide, open spaces, and a breeze that feels lovely in the car park can be brisk in the stands. The second is the evening. By the last race the temperature has often dropped, so bring a layer you are happy to be photographed in, such as a light blazer or a trench. A belted knee-length trench coat works over almost any dress and folds over your arm when the sun is out.
If you are dressing for a garden party later in the summer, many of the same rules apply, and our guide on what to wear to a garden party has more ideas.
What to wear to the races in winter
Jump racing runs through the colder months, and a winter races outfit is a completely different animal. Think country weekend rather than wedding: a warm coat, knitwear, a hat and boots. Tweed-look jackets, knee-high boots and a good scarf are a common sight, and you will see plenty of smart trousers too.
Your coat is the outfit, because it will stay on all day. A long hooded boucle-look coat with buttons or a longer quilted style is the kind of coat you want on an exposed stand, and the coats and jackets collection has more options. Layer underneath rather than relying on one thick piece, so you can adjust when you go inside for a cup of tea. Our guide on how to layer for British weather explains the method.
Shoes, hats and the walk to the paddock
You will walk more than you expect at the races: from the car park, to the paddock to see the horses, to the stands, to the bar and back again, mostly on grass. Stilettos sink. Block heels, wedges and flats do not.
In winter, boots are the obvious choice, and a pair of side zip ankle boots with a pull tab will go with trousers and dresses alike. The boots collection has knee-high and flat options for a muddy day. In summer, a low block heel or a wedge keeps you steady on the lawn.
As for the hat for the races, match it to the season. A wide brim in summer gives shade as well as style, while a warm hat with a rolled brim is perfectly smart at a winter meeting. Gloves, a scarf and a small bag with a strap complete the picture, and our accessories collection has a few more finishing touches.
Pack a small umbrella if the sky looks doubtful, and keep a pair of flats in the car for the walk back across the car park at the end of the day. Neither will spoil your photographs, and both will make the journey home far more pleasant.
Then find a spot by the rail and enjoy the thunder of hooves. You will be comfortable enough to stay until the last race.
Next, from our coats & jackets
Something from a neighbouring rail, for the same moment.
Belted Knee-Length Trench Coat, Loose Fit
Long Hooded Bouclé-Look Coat with Buttons
Navy Coat Dress with Lapels and Gold Buttons
Your questions, answered
Do I have to wear a hat to the races?
Usually not, unless you are in an enclosure whose dress code asks for one. At the bigger summer meetings hats are part of the fun and most women wear one, while at everyday and winter meetings a warm hat is as smart as you need to be.
Can I wear jeans to the races?
In the general enclosures at most meetings, smart jeans are fine. Premium enclosures often have stricter rules and may not allow denim or sportswear, so check the racecourse website before you go.
Are fascinators acceptable at the races?
At most meetings, yes. A few premium enclosures at the most formal summer meetings ask for a hat with a solid base of a minimum size rather than a fascinator, and the rules are published in advance on the racecourse website.
What should I carry on a race day?
A small bag with a strap, your ticket on your phone, a lipstick, a little cash and something warm. If the forecast is uncertain, a compact umbrella earns its place, and a pair of flats in the car will be welcome for the walk back.
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