What to wear to Cheltenham Festival
Here's what to wear to one of the biggest racing events in the calendar.
Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious events in the racing calendar. Every year, the event attracts hundreds of people who gather together to enjoy twenty-eight races across the four days, alongside a wealth of additional entertainment.
Unlike Ascot, there is no official dress code for Cheltenham, though it’s still regarded as a highly fashionable event. The lack of restrictions, however, offers up the ideal opportunity to experiment with outfitting and wear what works for you. From tweed suits to linen three-pieces, see below for a few ideas on how to dress for the races.
Tweed
If you want to lean into traditionally British fabrics, tweed suits are a great choice. Neutral tones like oatmeal and cream are always a good shout, but if you want to follow the Cheltenham trends, our sage herringbone suit fits the bill. Coming in three flattering fits - slim, tailored and regular - wear it as a two-piece or with the matching waistcoat and finish with a neutral knitted tie. You’ll complement the natural surroundings and it’ll keep you warm if there’s a breeze, too.
Linen
If the weather’s a little warmer, it’s time to get out the linen. Airy and breathable, it’ll keep you cool and dry all day long while the tailored fit will have you looking sharp. With a classic slubbed texture and a natural light beige shade, our oatmeal linen suit looks great paired with a coloured linen shirt to add a bit of dimension, and finished with a tonal tie. As for footwear, continue the spring aesthetic and choose a pair of lightweight Lewisham loafers (providing it’s not too muddy, of course).
Mix it up
Because of the more casual nature of Cheltenham's dress code, you don't have to attend wearing a full suit. Playing around with tailored separates as well as fabrics, cuts and textures can be a great way to showcase your personality and inject some life into your fit. A denim shirt is a more modern alternative to a plain white shirt and, coupled with a pair of pleated trousers, looks really put together, even without a jacket. If you do want to smarten it up a bit, throw on a lightweight linen blazer and hold the tie, and you've got a contemporary look that you can mix and match and play around with depending on your desired outcome.
