United Kingdom · 10 outfits
What to wear to Chester Racecourse
Covers Boodles May Festival, Ladies Day.
Outfits built to the dress code as the racecourse states it, one enclosure at a time, with the reason each one passes.
Hospitality Areas / Chester MembersCounty Concourse, County Long Room and Tattersalls
where you are standing
Hospitality Areas / Chester Members
Women
The dress code
'Dress to impress': smart attire - smart dress or skirt, cocktail dresses, power suits, statement fascinators. Not permitted: jeans, trainers, shorts, tracksuits, T-shirts, sportswear, fancy dress, inappropriate clothing.
Outfit 1
Cocktail midi and fascinator
- Dresses
- Satin or crepe cocktail midi
- Headwear
- Statement fascinator
- Shoes
- High heels
- Bags
- Clutch
- Outerwear
- Cropped jacket
Why it passes. Smart attire; none of the banned items.
On the day. Tight city-centre course; mostly hard standing with lawns; May 8-16°C with showers.
What regulars wear. 'Chester style' is high-glamour; Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet is the style partner.
Outfit 2
Power suit
Why it passes. 'Sleek power suits' named.
On the day. Tight city-centre course; mostly hard standing with lawns; May 8-16°C with showers.
What regulars wear. Best Dressed judges in 2026 wanted a look 'purposefully put together' with shoes, bag and hat matching.
Outfit 3
Statement-sleeve dress
Why it passes. Smart attire.
On the day. Tight city-centre course; mostly hard standing with lawns; May 8-16°C with showers.
What regulars wear. 'Silk, sparkles or statement sleeves' - Ladies Day page.
Common mistakes
- Smart trainers (allowed in County Concourse and Tattersalls, not here)
- Jeans
Men
The dress code
A well-tailored suit or blazer jacket, a collared shirt and a tie, with smart trousers. Not permitted: jeans, trainers, shorts, tracksuits, T-shirts, sportswear, fancy dress.
Outfit 1
Tailored three-piece
- Suiting
- Fitted three-piece suit
- Accessories
- Collared shirt, tie
- Shoes
- Polished Oxfords
Why it passes. Jacket, collar, tie.
On the day. Tight city-centre course; mostly hard standing with lawns; May 8-16°C with showers.
What regulars wear. 'Suited and booted in a suave three-piece'.
Outfit 2
Blazer and tailored trousers
- Suiting
- Tailored blazer, smart trousers
- Accessories
- Collared shirt, tie
- Shoes
- Loafers
Why it passes. A tailored blazer is accepted in place of a full suit.
On the day. Tight city-centre course; mostly hard standing with lawns; May 8-16°C with showers.
What regulars wear. Shop for him at BOSS, Paul Smith and Moss at Cheshire Oaks, per the course.
Common mistakes
- No tie (required here; not required in County Long Room)
- Trainers
- Jeans
where you are standing
County Concourse, County Long Room and Tattersalls
Women
The dress code
Smart attire in all three. County Concourse: no jeans, shorts, T-shirts, sportswear; smart non-branded trainers allowed. County Long Room, Winning Post and The Garden: no jeans or trainers. Tattersalls: smart-casual; smart un-ripped jeans and smart non-branded trainers allowed; no shorts.
Outfit 1
Flowing floral dress
- Dresses
- Floral flowing midi
- Headwear
- Fascinator
- Shoes
- Block heel
- Accessories
- Sunglasses
Why it passes. Smart attire for every one of these enclosures.
On the day. Tight city-centre course; mostly hard standing with lawns; May 8-16°C with showers.
What regulars wear. 'A floral flowing dress matched with a pair of sunnies' is the course's own picture.
Outfit 2
Chic co-ord
- Dresses
- Matching top and wide trousers
- Shoes
- Heeled sandal (smart non-branded trainers only in Concourse or Tattersalls)
Why it passes. Co-ords are named; footwear varies by enclosure.
On the day. Tight city-centre course; mostly hard standing with lawns; May 8-16°C with showers.
What regulars wear. Check which ticket you hold before choosing trainers.
Outfit 3
Tattersalls smart jeans
Why it passes. Jeans are allowed in Tattersalls only.
On the day. Tight city-centre course; mostly hard standing with lawns; May 8-16°C with showers.
What regulars wear. Not valid in County areas.
Common mistakes
- Jeans in County Concourse or County Long Room
- Trainers in the County Long Room
- Shorts anywhere but the Roodee
Men
The dress code
County Concourse and County Long Room/Winning Post/The Garden: collared shirt and suit jacket or blazer with smart trousers or chinos; no tie required; no polo shirts or jeans; trainers (smart, non-branded) allowed in the Concourse only. Tattersalls: collared shirt (polo allowed) with smart trousers, chinos or un-ripped jeans; no shorts.
Outfit 1
Jacket, no tie
- Suiting
- Blazer, chinos
- Accessories
- Collared shirt, open neck
- Shoes
- Loafers
Why it passes. Meets both County codes.
On the day. Tight city-centre course; mostly hard standing with lawns; May 8-16°C with showers.
What regulars wear. No tie is needed in the County Long Room.
Outfit 2
Tattersalls polo and chinos
- Accessories
- Polo shirt
- Suiting
- Smart chinos
- Shoes
- Smart non-branded trainers
Why it passes. Polo allowed in Tattersalls only.
On the day. Tight city-centre course; mostly hard standing with lawns; May 8-16°C with showers.
What regulars wear. 'A polo shirt paired with smart chinos' - course wording.
Common mistakes
- Polo shirt in County areas
- Shorts
- Branded sports trainers
Race days this covers
- Coral Scottish Grand National Ladies Day · Fri 16 Apr 2027
- Boodles May Festival - Trials Day · Wed 5 May 2027
- Boodles May Festival - Ladies Day · Thu 6 May 2027
- Boodles May Festival - Ladbrokes Chester Cup Day · Fri 7 May 2027
- Nottingham Ladies Day · Sat 8 May 2027
- Perth Ladies Day in aid of Breast Cancer Now · Thu 13 May 2027
- BOYLE Sports Ulster Derby - Ladies Day · Sat 19 June 2027
- Redcar Ladies' Day · Sat 19 June 2027
- Sandown Park Ladies Day · Fri 2 July 2027
- Debenhams July Festival - Ladies Day · Thu 8 July 2027
- Uttoxeter Ladies Day · Fri 23 July 2027
- Betway Rose of Lancaster Stakes Ladies Day · Sat 7 Aug 2027
Dress codes change. Check the racecourse's own page before you go: chester-races.com