Ladies Day at Cheltenham has made a triumphant return for the first time in six years, with attendees expected to arrive in their most elegant and sophisticated attire. However, as guests don their finest frocks and fascinators, they will undoubtedly be mindful of the ghosts of fashion mishaps past that have haunted the festival over the years.
Notable Fashion Missteps at Cheltenham
From eye-catching neon orange bodycon dresses to daring leather jumpsuits, the festival has seen its fair share of wince-worthy sartorial choices. Even A-list celebrities have not been immune, sometimes opting for one too many designer fur vests or statement hats that proved more obstructive than stylish.
Celebrity Fashion Fails Through the Years
Let us take a closer look at some of the stars who failed to impress with their fashion choices at previous Cheltenham events.
- Tyne-Lexy Clarson
In 2018, the Love Island star attended in an overwhelming ensemble featuring an open Versace shirt paired with a Gucci leather belt. - Katie Price
Back in 2014, Katie Price chose a floral print shirt, teamed with a very fluffy fur vest and white skinny jeans. - Carol Vorderman
In 2020, Carol Vorderman made her appearance in a zipped-up leather jumpsuit worn under a tan trench coat. - Georgia Toffolo
A regular at the racecourse, last year Georgia Toffolo wore a huge fur hat as she attended day four of the races. - Olivia Attwood and Chris Hughes
In 2018, Love Island stars Chris Hughes and Olivia Attwood attended in relatively casual ensembles, with Chris wearing a zip-up over a blazer and Olivia in leather trousers. - Rod Stewart
In 2019, Sir Rod Stewart added a flashy golden tie to accent his all-beige look, accompanied by his wife Penny Lancaster. - Lily Allen
Now known as a style star, but in 2011 Lily Allen raised eyebrows with a boho maxi dress at Cheltenham. - Katie Salmon
In 2019, shortly after a ban from the festival for inappropriate behaviour, Katie Salmon made her comeback in a tight orange dress. - Kirsty Gallacher
In 2020, presenter Kirsty Gallacher was very covered up in a trench coat and long, flowy trousers. - Judy Murray
Also in 2020, Judy Murray added a pop of colour as she wore a metallic, silver puffer jacket to Cheltenham. - Nigel Farage
Last year, Nigel Farage wore bright red trousers and a green tie as he attended the festival, with shiny brown shoes to match.
Lessons from Past Fashion Choices
These examples serve as a reminder that even at high-profile events like Cheltenham Ladies Day, fashion risks can sometimes lead to regrettable outcomes. As the festival continues, attendees will likely aim to balance style with practicality, avoiding the pitfalls of overly bold or impractical outfits.
Whether it is avoiding neon hues or rethinking leather ensembles, the history of fashion faux pas at Cheltenham offers valuable insights for those looking to make a stylish statement without crossing into mishap territory.
