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Racing Fashion Weekly

You are invited · Sat 10 July 2027

68th John Smith's Cup

York Racecourse, York, United Kingdom

major

York's biggest summer Saturday; bright summer suits and dresses.

what to wear

The dress code

Dress standard
Smart
Millinery
encouraged
Season
Summer

Women

Grandstand and Paddock: no formal dress code; many racegoers dress up. Fancy dress is not unusual but must be family friendly. Clocktower Enclosure is the most relaxed (picnics; weather-appropriate clothing).

Encouraged

  • Wedding-guest style dress, heels, hat or fascinator

Leave at home

  • Anything beyond 'the bounds of decency'

Men

Grandstand and Paddock: no formal dress code.

Encouraged

  • Suit or jacket

Outfits built to this dress code

What to wear to York Racecourse

6 outfits for women and men, with the reason each one passes.

See the outfits

Styling notes

County Stand men: jacket, collared shirt and tie (bow tie or cravat accepted). Women: 'wedding guest attire', heels, hats or fascinators. The Knavesmire is flat grass - block heels.

Weather

Typically 13-22°C; warm; occasional heat (high 20s) or thundery showers. (General UK climate guide, not from the club.)

where you are standing

Enclosure by enclosure

County Stand

Premier enclosure.

Women

No formal dress code for ladies; most dress up - 'think wedding guest attire' - with dresses, heels and hats or fascinators.

Encouraged

  • Dress, heels, hat or fascinator

Men

The only formal rule at York: gentlemen must wear a jacket, collared shirt and tie. Short-sleeved shirts, bow ties, cravats and dress shorts are accepted, as are trainers and jeans. May be relaxed in a heatwave (and is relaxed for the September Sunday meeting).

Required

  • Jacket
  • Collared shirt
  • Tie (bow tie or cravat accepted)

Grandstand and Paddock

Family-friendly fancy dress allowed.

Women

No formal dress code.

Encouraged

  • Dressing up

Men

No formal dress code.

Clocktower Enclosure

Women

Relaxed picnic enclosure; comfortable, practical, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear.

Men

Relaxed picnic enclosure.

Check the official details before you go: yorkracecourse.co.uk ↗

for the day

Shop the look

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save the date

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