Fashion Tips for the World’s Most Glamorous Horse Racing Events

Few sporting events offer the chance to be fashionable in the way that horse racing does. Wearing great clothes while enjoying a fantastic day out is one of the reasons that many people love going to racetracks, but what are some of the top tips you should know about styling for the racecourse? We further explore.  

Consider the Weather and Setting

Horse racing is truly a global sport, with big races taking place all over the world and during every month of the year. This means that conditions vary widely, from the hot and dry conditions in the Middle East to the UK’s ever-changing weather situation. Therefore, understanding what weather is expected is a crucial start that allows you to plan ahead.

Of course, the weather is also crucial to understanding which horse might win, so looking into the forecast will help you in a betting sense too. The online racing betting options allow you to find the latest odds on upcoming events across the planet, including the current odds for major events later in the year, such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Derby.

You can also get an idea of how each horse performs in different weather conditions by looking at previous horse racing results. Once you see how your chosen horse got on, you can take a look at the weather conditions to help your analysis. You might decide to search for pictures of the crowd, and assess what people wear in those conditions. Light suits and dresses are generally ideal for warm weather racing, while colder races give you the chance to wrap up with a warm jacket and scarf.

Understand the Rules and Traditions of the Event

The list of the year’s biggest races will also remind you that some races are more exclusive or glamorous than others. Royal Ascot is arguably the most elegant of all. Held at Ascot Racecourse in the UK, it’s become a massive social event where you’ll want to be aware of the official dress codes and suggestions for the different enclosures. Wearing a hat is obligatory for women in most parts of the racetrack, while men only need to wear headgear in the Royal Enclosure.

In the US, the Kentucky Derby is arguably the most fashionable event in the horse racing calendar. The weather can be extremely unpredictable, with rain falling on almost half of the Derbies run to date. However,  this remains a very special occasion where female spectators love to wear big hats and eye-catching dresses. Even if the styles used vary widely, many have a Southern Belle element running through them that helps to define the event.

The Melbourne Cup is regarded as Australia’s biggest race and they have a list of important dress regulations that let visitors know what is and isn’t acceptable there. For example, men can’t wear any shorts that don’t reach as far down as their knees while women can’t wear anything that reveals their belly button.    

These tips will let you get started on choosing an outfit that’s suitable for the weather conditions and should also help you fit in with the theme or traditions of the event.