The Cheltenham Festival is only two months away! For fans of horse racing around the UK and the rest of Europe, this is truly one of the great occasions of the spring season. It signals four days of celebration, top-notch horse racing competition, and, of course, high-end fashion displays. As is the case every year, 2015’s festival will be an event to remember.
On the racing end of things, the competitions are beginning to take shape, with the Betfair sports betting platform already having rolled out the odds and favourites for each of the marquee contests. According to the site, Faugheen, Sprinter Sacre, More Of That, and Silviniaco Conti are the early favourites for the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, World Hurdle, and Gold Cup, respectively. While these horses’ status can change between now and March because of injuries or changed expectations, these will likely be the betting favourites.
But for many attending Cheltenham, the betting favourites and races in general are almost a sideshow to the style exhibitions that take place among the crowds. The sport of horse racing has a long tradition of being tied closely to elegant and extravagant fashions, and the Cheltenham Festival is one of the sport’s greatest occasions in this regard. Spectators routinely put on shows of their own merely in what they wear. So with that in mind, here are some tips for the Cheltenham Festival for track fashion, rather than track favourites!
- Dress For Cold – Standard horse racing fashion often means sun dresses and fairly light attire, but at Cheltenham in March, it can be quite chilly (with average temperatures for the month in nearby London hovering around nine degrees Celsius). This is why at Cheltenham it’s not uncommon to see fur coats, scarves, hats, and other such accessories.
- Choose A Fancy Hat – Note that it’s not just a “big” hat, but a fancy one! Oversized and elaborate hats are essentials of horse racing fashion, but at Cheltenham in particular it’s often the designs, colours, and accessories that stand out more than the size of a hat. Flip through this slideshow of the 2013 Cheltenham Ladies Day from the Daily Record for some wonderful inspiration in this regard.
- Consider Tweed – It’s not the most common recommendation for ladies out and about, but tweed was seen in abundance at Cheltenham in 2014, and it makes sense for the occasion. Essentially, it’s warm and somewhat-rustic outerwear, which can keep you warm and help you fit in at the tracks. Granted, it’s not the most colourful or vibrant option, but it’s practical and stylish.
- Opt For Boots – Many equate horse racing fashion with fancy high heels, but really, Cheltenham is a perfect occasion for your most stylish boots to make an appearance. Again, this all comes down to weather, but it’s also true that finding a new pair to wear to the races makes for a great way to have some fun with your look.
