United States · 5 outfits
What to wear to Del Mar
Covers summer and Bing Crosby seasons.
Outfits built to the dress code as the racecourse states it, with the reason each one passes.
where you are standing
Turf Club
Women
The dress code
Del Mar Turf Club (daily): gentlemen - a suit or sport jacket must be worn at all times; sport shirts and tailored denim are allowed with a sport jacket; ties optional. Ladies - suits or daytime dresses are preferred; slacks and tailored denim allowed when worn with tailored jackets. No shorts, t-shirts, athletic wear, wind-breakers, flip flops, abbreviated clothing, or ripped, torn or oversized denim. Children follow the code.
Outfit 1
Daytime dress
- Dresses
- knee-length printed silk day dress with cap sleeves
- Headwear
- straw hat with silk band
- Shoes
- leather slingbacks
- Bags
- small top-handle bag
Why it passes. A daytime dress is the stated preference; nothing abbreviated; not flip flops.
On the day. Shaded terrace with a breeze.
What regulars wear. Opening Day hats come up to the Turf Club too.
Outfit 2
Summer suit
Why it passes. Suits are preferred alongside dresses.
On the day. Jacket for evening.
Outfit 3
Tailored denim done right
- Suiting
- dark, unripped straight-leg tailored jeans with a tailored navy blazer
- Accessories
- silk blouse
- Shoes
- pointed flats
Why it passes. Tailored denim is allowed only with a tailored jacket; not ripped, torn or oversized.
On the day. Good for the cooler November meet.
What regulars wear. More common in the Bing Crosby season.
Common mistakes
- Jeans without a tailored jacket
- Ripped or wide oversized denim
- Flip flops
- A wind-breaker as the cover-up
Men
The dress code
Del Mar Turf Club (daily): gentlemen - a suit or sport jacket must be worn at all times; sport shirts and tailored denim are allowed with a sport jacket; ties optional. Ladies - suits or daytime dresses are preferred; slacks and tailored denim allowed when worn with tailored jackets. No shorts, t-shirts, athletic wear, wind-breakers, flip flops, abbreviated clothing, or ripped, torn or oversized denim. Children follow the code.
Outfit 1
Sport jacket, open collar
- Suiting
- light blue sport jacket, cream trousers
- Accessories
- sport shirt with collar, pocket square
- Shoes
- loafers
Why it passes. Jacket on at all times; tie is optional; sport shirt is allowed with the jacket.
On the day. Unlined jacket - it cannot come off.
What regulars wear. The usual Turf Club look.
Outfit 2
Tailored denim and blazer
- Suiting
- navy blazer, dark tailored jeans (no rips)
- Accessories
- white shirt
- Shoes
- brown suede loafers
Why it passes. Tailored denim is expressly allowed with a sport jacket.
On the day. Autumn-meet friendly.
Common mistakes
- Taking the jacket off at the table
- Shorts
- T-shirt under the jacket
- Wind-breaker instead of a jacket
Race days this covers
- Arlington Million Day (Festival of Racing) · first or second Saturday of August
- Bing Crosby Season Opening Day 2027 · first or second weekend of November
- Ellis Park Derby Day · a Sunday in mid-August (meet runs early July to late August)
- Pacific Classic Day · a Saturday in late August or early September
Dress codes change. Check the racecourse's own page before you go: dmtc.com