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Racing Fashion Weekly

You are invited · Tue 31 Aug 2027

Waregem Koerse

Hippodroom Waregem (Gaverbeek), Waregem, Belgium

flagship

Belgium's hat day. VRT (1 Sept 2026): 'Waregem Koerse, dat zijn ook de hoeden'. A hat trophy founded by Willy Naessens crowns the best hat, and since 2025 a trophy for the best men's hat.

what to wear

The dress code

Dress standard
Formal
Millinery
expected
Season
Summer

Women

No written dress code on the organiser's site or FAQ. By tradition women wear a hat; one visitor told VRT she had been told it is 'almost mandatory'.

Encouraged

  • A hat
  • Dress or suit to match it

Men

No written dress code. Men's hats now have their own trophy.

Encouraged

  • Suit or blazer
  • A hat

Outfits built to this dress code

What to wear to Waregem Koerse

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

See the outfits

Styling notes

The hat is the outfit: plan it first. Flemish style is polished and colourful; bring a raincoat.

Weather

About 12–21°C, showers common.

History

Held since 1849. Willy Naessens died in March 2025; his widow continued the trophy.

where you are standing

Enclosure by enclosure

Overdekte zittribune (covered seated stand)

Ticket type from the FAQ.

Women

No rule published.

Men

No rule published.

Weegplaats (weighing enclosure)

Ticket type from the FAQ.

Women

No rule published.

Men

No rule published.

Middenplein (infield)

Ticket type from the FAQ.

Women

No rule published.

Men

No rule published.

Fashions on the Field

  • Willy Naessens Hoedentrofee (hat trophy): best hat, judged with the outfit, presence and personality (VRT: organised for the 21st time in 2022)
  • Trophy for the most beautiful men's hat (introduced 2025, per Marie-Jeanne Huysman)
  • 'Scouts' walk the crowd and tap wearers of striking hats on the shoulder to take part

Check the official details before you go: waregemkoerse.be ↗

for the day

Shop the look

HeadwearDressesShoesBagsJewellerySuitingOuterwearAccessories

save the date

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    Bahrain International Trophy

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  • majorFri 13 Nov 2026

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    The Friday public-holiday harness meeting of Cup Week: a dressed-up crowd, looser than Cup Day.

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