Cheltenham Dress Code: What To Wear To The Festival

The Cheltenham dress code is part of the appeal of the Festival. The fashion on show generates interest far beyond the horse-racing world, with trends surveyed and judgements cast across newspaper columns and social media channels.

From people debating Cheltenham best dressed to those questioning the merits of the supposed dress code, attire is a big part of the festival, whether you’re engrossed in the horse racing betting markets or not..

Cheltenham Festival Dress Code

There isn’t technically a Cheltenham dress code. Fancy dress wearers are warned not to don “inappropriate or offensive outfits”, plus fancy dress is not allowed in certain areas of the course.

Previously, women would wear smart dresses – often paired with eye-catching headwear – and men would wear suits. In 2023, the dress code was updated to say people should be “dressed to feel your best” and “the more relaxed and comfortable we feel, the more likely we are to have a great time”.

The event organisers described the change as follows: “Whatever your tastes, the most important thing when choosing your outfit is, of course, comfort and confidence. So wear what feels right for you and will keep you feeling your best from start to finish, whatever the weather.”

It’s important to note that sportswear is not acceptable Cheltenham Fashion. The reasoning is given on their website: “We love other sports as much as anyone, but showing allegiance to a favourite club can sometimes appear antagonistic. So, to keep things simple, please refrain from wearing team kits when attending one of our racedays.”

Why Did Cheltenham Change Their Dress Code?

Chief executive of The Jockey Club, Nevin Truesdale, explained why the change to the dress code has been made.

“We hope that by no longer placing an expectation upon people of what they should and shouldn’t wear we can help highlight that racing really is for everyone.”

“It is a common misconception that a day at the races has always required you to dress in a certain way, regardless of the fixture. In fact, even at really high-profile days like the Cheltenham Festival, that has simply not been the case and our only recommendation has been to dress appropriately for the weather.

“By taking the decision not to impose dress codes at any of our 15 racecourses we now hope to get rid of any ambiguity or uncertainty and simply let people know that whatever they feel comfortable wearing they’ll be welcome to join us on a race day.”

The aim for the organisers is to make racing more accessible and inclusive for the British public. While the latest fashion advice has no impact on Cheltenham Festival antepost tips, it is important to familiarise yourself with the racing styles and trends before choosing your outfit for March.

Best Dressed Award At The Festival

Cheltenham Festival is a catwalk for many of the world’s fashionistas. Think tweed jackets and countryside elegance when wondering about the latest Cheltenham fashion.

The clothes picked out by the celebrities attending Cheltenham might not impact sports betting, but the extra attention the fashion generates can only be seen as a positive for the event.

Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie were among the attendees in 2024. Earthy tones tend to dominate, though you will see the odd splash of colour throughout the festival.

Hello Magazine named Jade Holland Cooper, Ed Westwick, Lydia Millen, Princess Beatrice, Onyi Moss, and Queen Camilla as some of the best dressed in 2024. Denise Lewis, Carol Vorderman, Ella Toone, and Greg Rutherford were also in attendance.