United Kingdom · 6 outfits
What to wear to Cheltenham Festival
Outfits built to the dress code as the racecourse states it, one enclosure at a time, with the reason each one passes.
All enclosures (no formal dress code; no fancy dress in Club Enclosure, hospitality or restaurants)All enclosures (no formal dress code)
where you are standing
All enclosures (no formal dress code; no fancy dress in Club Enclosure, hospitality or restaurants)
Women
The dress code
There is no formal dress code. 'Smart is preferable and often adopted'; the course asks racegoers to dress for the weather and wear footwear suited to the walk in. Fancy dress is banned in the Club Enclosure, hospitality and restaurants; team kits are not welcome.
Outfit 1
Tweed suit and fedora (Ladies Day)
- Suiting
- Fitted tweed blazer with matching skirt or trousers, earthy check
- Outerwear
- Long wool coat or cape
- Headwear
- Wool felt fedora with feather mount
- Shoes
- Knee-high flat or low block-heel leather boots
- Accessories
- Leather gloves, silk scarf
- Suiting
- Thin roll neck, thermals and tights beneath
Why it passes. Nothing is required, so this follows the official stylist and partner advice: tweed, layers, gloves, no bare legs.
On the day. Mid-March on Cleeve Hill: 3-11°C, wind, showers, mud between car park and course.
What regulars wear. Fashion partner Holland Cooper (Cheltenham boutique) - its tweed blazers, capes and trench are the house look.
Outfit 2
Tailored coat-led look
- Outerwear
- Double-breasted tailored coat in forest green, mid-calf
- Dresses
- Knit midi dress with opaque tights
- Headwear
- Felt percher or beret
- Shoes
- Block-heel ankle boots
- Bags
- Cross-body leather bag
Why it passes. Outerwear is the outfit here - 'it is about outerwear', per Jade Holland Cooper.
On the day. You stand outside most of the day.
What regulars wear. Best Dressed entries are photographed at The Plaza, The Centaur and the Best Mate Enclosure.
Outfit 3
Rented or pre-loved statement
- Outerwear
- Rented designer coat or vintage tweed jacket
- Suiting
- Wide-leg wool trousers
- Headwear
- Second-hand felt hat re-trimmed
- Shoes
- Leather brogues or boots
Why it passes. The 2026 Best Dressed panel was titled 'Slow Fashion Awards'; the official style page promotes rental (Hurr, By Rotation) and second-hand.
On the day. As above.
What regulars wear. Slow fashion is the stated direction of the competition.
Outfit 4
Gold Cup Day colour
- Suiting
- Tweed in a brighter over-check or a jewel-tone wool suit
- Outerwear
- Camel coat
- Headwear
- Wide-brim felt hat
- Shoes
- Flat riding-style boots
Why it passes. No rule to breach; smart is 'preferable'.
On the day. Friday is the busiest day - flat boots.
What regulars wear. Racing colours and green on St Patrick's Thursday are crowd customs, not rules.
Common mistakes
- Silk dress, bare legs and stilettos - you will be cold and sink into the turf
- Fancy dress in the Club Enclosure or hospitality
- Thin coat with no layers
where you are standing
All enclosures (no formal dress code)
Men
The dress code
No formal dress code; smart preferred; dress for the weather. No fancy dress in the Club Enclosure, hospitality or restaurants; no team kits.
Outfit 1
Country three-piece
- Suiting
- Tweed blazer with matching waistcoat and trousers, herringbone or check in earthy tones
- Accessories
- White or pastel shirt, complementary wool tie
- Outerwear
- Covert coat or waxed jacket
- Headwear
- Flat cap or trilby
- Shoes
- Leather brogues or Derby shoes with rubber sole
Why it passes. This is the look described on the official Festival style page.
On the day. Cold, wet, muddy underfoot.
What regulars wear. The tweed three-piece is the Festival uniform.
Outfit 2
Smart casual layers
- Outerwear
- Quilted or waxed jacket
- Suiting
- Moleskin or cord trousers, tweed sports jacket
- Accessories
- Checked shirt, lambswool jumper
- Shoes
- Dealer boots
Why it passes. No code to breach; jeans and clean trainers would also be admitted.
On the day. Layers for a long day outside.
What regulars wear. Tattersalls and Best Mate are more relaxed than the Club.
Common mistakes
- Suit with thin leather-soled shoes and no coat
- Football shirts
- Fancy dress in Club or hospitality
Race days this covers
- Cheltenham Festival - Ladies Day · Wed 17 Mar 2027
- Cheltenham Festival - St Patrick's Thursday · Thu 18 Mar 2027
- Cheltenham Festival - Gold Cup Day · Fri 19 Mar 2027
Dress codes change. Check the racecourse's own page before you go: thejockeyclub.co.uk