Ireland · 5 outfits
What to wear to Leopardstown Christmas Festival
Outfits built to the dress code as the racecourse states it, with the reason each one passes.
where you are standing
General admission
Women
The dress code
Leopardstown: 'There is no dress code at Leopardstown however we recommend smart casual attire and to dress for the weather.' No enclosure has separate published rules. The festival runs 26-29 December, outdoors, in mid-winter.
Outfit 1
Winter tailoring
- Outerwear
- long wool coat in camel, forest green or red
- Suiting
- wool trousers or a midi skirt with a roll-neck knit
- Shoes
- leather knee boots, low heel
- Headwear
- felt fedora or beret
- Accessories
- leather gloves, wool scarf
Why it passes. Smart casual and dressed for the weather, which is all the club asks.
On the day. About 3-9 C, short days, often wet: warm lining, waterproofed leather, flat or low heels.
Outfit 2
Tweed and country
- Outerwear
- Donegal tweed coat or cape
- Dresses
- knit dress with opaque tights
- Shoes
- country boots
- Headwear
- tweed cap or felt hat with feather pin
- Bags
- cross-body leather bag
Why it passes. Fits the smart casual advice and the jump-racing setting.
On the day. Wind and rain proof; boots for wet concourses.
Outfit 3
Festive dressed-up
- Dresses
- velvet or heavy crepe midi dress in a jewel tone
- Outerwear
- tailored coat with faux-fur collar
- Headwear
- structured felt percher or headband
- Shoes
- block-heel ankle boots
- Jewellery
- statement earrings
Why it passes. Nothing prohibits dressing up; the festival is a traditional post-Christmas social day.
On the day. Keep the coat on between races; avoid bare legs.
What regulars wear. A felt piece by Aoife Harrison or Deb Fanning rather than summer sinamay.
Common mistakes
- Summer millinery and bare legs in December
- Open-toe shoes
- A coat that hides a look you wanted seen (make the coat the look)
Men
The dress code
Leopardstown: 'There is no dress code at Leopardstown however we recommend smart casual attire and to dress for the weather.' No enclosure has separate published rules. The festival runs 26-29 December, outdoors, in mid-winter.
Outfit 1
Overcoat and tweed
- Outerwear
- wool overcoat in navy, charcoal or camel
- Suiting
- tweed jacket with wool trousers or cords
- Accessories
- knitted tie or roll-neck, scarf, flat cap
- Shoes
- brogue boots
Why it passes. Smart casual, dressed for the weather.
On the day. Cold, damp, standing outdoors for hours.
Outfit 2
Smart casual knit
- Outerwear
- wax or quilted jacket
- Suiting
- dark chinos with a fine merino jumper over a collared shirt
- Shoes
- leather boots
- Accessories
- wool scarf
Why it passes. Exactly the level the club recommends.
On the day. Layers you can open indoors.
Common mistakes
- A suit with no overcoat
- Thin-soled dress shoes on a wet day
Race days this covers
- Leopardstown Christmas Festival 2026 · Sat 26 Dec 2026
- Leopardstown Christmas Festival 2027 · Sun 26 Dec 2027
Dress codes change. Check the racecourse's own page before you go: leopardstown.com