Heading to Cheltenham Festival?
What you should wear; dress code, outfits and style tips
Cheltenham Festival kicks off on Tuesday, and while plenty will be marking their race cards and consulting a multitude of sources for tips, the small issue of what to wear will also be front of mind for many racegoers. Cheltemham, has a unique look among the race meetings, partly thanks to it being held in March when the UK weather is most unpredictable, but also because of the smart country set the event attracts.
THE CHELTENHAM FOCUS
| “The most stylish at Cheltenham combine both practicality with versatility. Being held in March the weather is unpredictable & often cold & wet however inside can be very warm; a tweed waistcoat or cashmere cardigan under a water resistant tweed jacket can offer a smart and practical look and allow the wearer to add flare with a personal choice from the basics of shoes and socks, as well as accessories such as pocket silks, watch chains and umbrellas” Gilan Booker, Founder, Benedict & Hott |
| What to Wear This year’s four-day event runs from Tuesday, March 10, to Friday, March 13. As spring doesn’t officially begin until March 21, and given the UK’s recent series of storms, we’d better be prepared for the cold and rain. Cheltenham is regarded as the most genuinely stylish events in the UK sporting calendar. Despite the lack of an implemented dress code the Cheltenham crowd know how to dress for correctly for this occasion. The Jockey Club suggest “smart is preferable and is often adopted”. We Brits do country style very well and can certainly dress for the unpredictable weather conditions. This is good because Cheltenham can be chilly, make no mistake. Style and practicality must go hand in hand and as long as you choose the materials wisely, you’d be hitting the mark. Tweed is the go-to cloth for Cheltenham, naturally wind & water resistant makes it perfect suiting and outerwear and the countryside heritage make it the perfect cloth to wear. Layers are essential for a day of sport at the festival, paired with quality accessories, a good hat and, of course, an umbrella! |
| Benedict & Hott’s 6 top style tips 1. Tweed is good. Benedict & Hott’s tweed blazer with some smart cotton trousers, corduroy or moleskin trousers is the unofficial uniform of Cheltenham. 2. Wear a tie. Keep it to a subdued colour and add texture if you can. Consider a knitted wool tie if you are pairing it with a bold tweed & consider or silk knitted tie if you are pairing it with a finer tweed jacket. 3. Lambswool Layers. Woolen layers are ideal for adding both warmth and versatility. Check out the Benedict & Hott navy or brown herringbone 100% lambswool padded double-breasted gilets. Both items are water resistant, insulated it with 80gm wadding and finished with a tan leather under-collar, thick micro-fleece lined welt pockets to keep hands warm and a working chest pocket to keep race cards handy. 3. Style check. Do not wear a bright blue suit and avoid anyone wearing one, especially when teamed with a satin tie and cheap brown loafers. This is good advice for any social event. 4. Alpaca socks for warmth. You will mostly be standing outside in the cold, so do not neglect your footwear. Wear decent shoes such as a sturdy country brogues or chukka boots with alpaca wool over-the-calf socks. 6. Tweed cap. A decent hat is essential, it will keep off the rain and finish the outfit. The brown racing-felt or fedora is absolutely spot-on, but if this is not your style, consider a flat cap or an eight-piece bakerboy. Please tag B&H in any photos you post on social media. #BENEANDHOTT |
THE GARMENT FOCUS
This racing season, style out your look with our tweed collection, everyday apparel, hats & accessories. Our clothes are built to keep you warm & comfortable all day, no matter the adventure or the race.
FASHION TREND – TEVIOT URBAN TWEED HACKING BLAZER
Two trends seen at last month’s Men’s Fashion Week that can be incorporated into style choices for men at this year’s CheltenhamFestival are leather and check. Benedict & Hott’s jackets and vests are both finished with tan sheep’s leather and available in two vibrant tweed checks with “The Kirkton” offering a more playful take on the classic tweed giving this 2-button blazer a fashionable edge to the traditional look of the country set.
FASHION TREND – 100 % LAMBSWOOL PADDED DOUBLE BREASTED GILET
For those looking for a more subtle approach to the Cheltenham dress code the Benedict & Hott navy or brown herringbone 100% lambswool padded double-breasted gilets are ideal for adding both warmth and volume over a shirt and jumper. Both items are water resistant, insulated it with 80gm wadding and finished with a tan leather under-collar, thick micro-fleece lined welt pockets to keep hands warm and a working chest pocket to keep race cards handy.
THE BENEDICT AND HOTT UMBRELLA
These London-made solid hickory shaft and handle umbrellas with a traditional width of the canopy at 106cm means they can cover two people with ease, and length of 93cm means they are a useful walking stick when navigating crowds across grass and in the stands.
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