Royal Glamour Meets Country Chic at the Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival, running from 10th to 13th March, marks the start of the British spring social season with Champion Day, Ladies Day, St Patrick's Thursday, and the spectacular Gold Cup Day. This event is a firm favourite among the Royal Family, with Princess Anne, Zara Tindall, Queen Camilla, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie frequently in attendance, alongside occasional appearances by Catherine, Princess of Wales.
As expected, the royals set a high bar for style, often seen wrapped in elegant wool coats and sturdy knee-high boots, accessorised with statement pieces. A day at the races offers the perfect opportunity to dress up, but selecting the right outfit requires careful consideration.
Expert Styling Advice for Festival Fashion
To guide you through this, I consulted stylist Sarah Kate Byrne, who specialises in occasionwear and dresses horse racing presenter Francesca Cumani. She shares her top tips for mastering Cheltenham style. 'Dressing for the Festival takes a little bit of thought given the time of year and the tendency towards inclement weather,' Sarah explains. 'Practicality and functionality are key drivers when choosing outfits, but of course style still plays an important role.'
The overall aesthetic leans towards country chic. Since you'll likely spend considerable time standing on grass, sturdy footwear is essential—think block heels or chunky flat boots. Pair them with rich textures like wool, tweed, or suede to capture that quintessential countryside finish. Layering with thermal tops, leggings, or tights is also beneficial; Sarah recommends Uniqlo's HeatTech range, while I prefer thermals from M&S.
Six Stylish Outfit Ideas for Race Day
Outfit One: Sarah advises starting with your own wardrobe for sustainability. For example, Rixo's iconic Maddison shirt dress in an antelope print looks chic with a chocolate brown Jigsaw coat and a Reiss fedora. Comfortable footwear is crucial; the Regina boots from Fairfax & Favor, a favourite of Zara Tindall, offer style and support in a sophisticated burgundy shade.
Outfit Two: Inspired by Cat Deeley, Reiss' olive green knitted dress is a race-day staple, reminiscent of Catherine, Princess of Wales. Style it with a cosy Hobbs coat and Penelope Chilvers' Long Tassel boots, accessorised with a checked Toast scarf and Orelia gold huggie earrings for a polished finish.
Outfit Three: Embrace argyle prints with a cobalt cardigan from John Lewis, paired with Boden's Valentina skirt. Tap into the burgundy trend loved by royals with a double-breasted coat from John Lewis and a coordinating H&M headband, finished with Monica Vinader pearl earrings.
Outfit Four: Tweed is synonymous with Cheltenham due to the cold weather. A sequin-embellished two-piece from Maje offers a lifetime investment, styled with an M&S roll neck and loafers, plus Sita Nevado statement earrings and an Aspinal of London Mayfair bag.
Outfit Five: A suede skirt suit from Jaeger teams perfectly with Boden's embroidered denim shirt. Choose a functional bag like Fairfax & Favor's Windsor croc mini handbag, paired with White Stuff's Izzy boots for ease.
Outfit Six: Elevate a tailored look with Boden trousers and a Next blouse, adding a pop of red with a John Lewis cardigan and Penelope Chilvers cowboy boots. This footwear label is a royal favourite for its impressive collections.
By following these tips, you can achieve a stylish and practical look for the Cheltenham Festival, blending royal inspiration with personal flair for an unforgettable race day experience.
