Cheltenham Horse Racing Guide: What to Wear in 2024

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Cheltenham Festival is a horse-racing event within the National Hunt calendar. It’s a four-day festival that takes place every March at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The Jockey Club openly says that there isn’t a formal dress code, but racegoers see the event as an opportunity to dress up and look their best. With fine racing, comes fine fashion, so this event is the best occasion for you to showcase your style.

Many other cultural events take place in Cheltenham throughout the year, including music festivals, food and drink celebrations, galas and more. Some of the top things to do include visiting the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Holst Victorian House and Montpellier Gardens. Cheltenham is also home to the Cheltenham Racecourse. Punters from across the UK browse Cheltenham odds before the big day, which draws in everyone from experienced race-goers to occasional bettors. Office bets are common, as are potluck picks. Over time, horse racing has truly become an iconic part of Cheltenham’s culture.

Women: Dress to Feel Your Best

The Jockey Club have updated their style guidance to come dressed to feel your best. With that being said, March weather can be unpredictable. For this reason, it’s advisable that you check the forecast and that you dress accordingly. Layer up as you will be outside most of the day. For women’s fashion, a warm, stylish coat can be paired with tights under trousers. Two-thirds of the car parks at Cheltenham are on grass, so consider wearing suitable footwear. In terms of hats, a wintery headpiece will work well. Anything that channels a chic countryside vibe, will fit right in at Cheltenham.   

Any bag that you choose to bring to the event, will be searched upon entry. Don’t take a backpack or a handbag that is too big for the event, because only bags that are suitable for a day out will be allowed into the enclosures. If you do have a larger bag then you will need to leave it in the luggage facility within the racecourse grounds.

For men, a thin jumper with a tweed blazer and some smart trousers will work. Loafers, and a trilby, or flat cap will also help to bring your outfit together. Bold checks work well, as do cotton shirts and cravats if you’d like to go all out. The Peaky Blinders show is a huge inspiration for those who want to , with baker boy caps, flat caps and a three-piece suit with a lapel label all being viable options. Ultimately though, you should try and make sure that you feel comfortable on the day. Cheltenham is a big event, one that you don’t want to be uncomfortable for.

In any instance, muted colours tend to work the best when paying a visit to Cheltenham. Tweed, black, beige and camel colours are the way to go, but if you have a vibrant winter coat, there’s nothing wrong with wearing that, if you’d rather stand out from the crowd.

Michael specializes in journalism, digital content production and social media management. He has a passion for numerous sports including football, horse racing and ice hockey. Michael currently works on a freelance basis, producing daily content for various outlets within the sports industry.