Hong Kong · 6 outfits
What to wear to LONGINES Hong Kong International Races
Covers HKJC members' areas.
Outfits built to the dress code as the racecourse states it, with the reason each one passes.
where you are standing
Stewards Boxes ('Elegant') and Owners Boxes / Parade Ring ('Smart Casual')
Women
The dress code
HKJC written codes, strictly enforced. Stewards Boxes ('Elegant'): gentlemen in blazer or suit jacket over a shirt with standard neck tie or bow tie, long trousers and closed-toe shoes (ties optional May to October); ladies in dresses, blouses with skirts, or long trousers; no blue denim, ripped clothing, T-shirts, turtlenecks, tracksuits, singlets, cravats, shorts, overalls, sports shoes, slides, slippers, flip-flops or plastic footwear. Owners and Voting Members Boxes and the Parade Ring ('Smart Casual'): jacket over shirt, plain T-shirt or turtleneck with long trousers; dresses, blouses, skirts or long trousers; ladies may wear dressy shorts of appropriate length; no ripped clothing, printed T-shirts, tracksuits, singlets, shorts, overalls, slippers, flip-flops or plastic footwear. Overcoats or trench coats over the code are acceptable in winter.
Outfit 1
Box dress
- Dresses
- long-sleeve knee-length dress in wool crepe or silk
- Headwear
- small fascinator or pillbox
- Shoes
- closed pumps
- Outerwear
- trench or tailored overcoat
Why it passes. A dress satisfies both codes; a coat over it is explicitly allowed in winter; no denim or plastic footwear.
On the day. Hong Kong in mid-December: about 15-21 C, dry; boxes are indoors and air-conditioned, the parade ring is outdoors on hard standing.
What regulars wear. Fascinators appear at HKIR on guests of the sponsor; Kate Winslet wore a gold one.
Outfit 2
Blouse and skirt
- Dresses
- silk blouse with a tailored midi skirt
- Shoes
- leather court shoes
- Bags
- small handbag, not a shopping bag or backpack
Why it passes. 'Blouses with skirts' is the Stewards Box wording, and bags larger than a handbag are barred from the Parade Ring.
On the day. Hong Kong in mid-December: about 15-21 C, dry; boxes are indoors and air-conditioned, the parade ring is outdoors on hard standing.
What regulars wear. Hong Kong owners dress as for a smart lunch rather than Ascot.
Outfit 3
Trouser tailoring
Why it passes. Long trousers are listed for ladies in every members' tier; blue denim is the thing to avoid in the Stewards Boxes.
On the day. Hong Kong in mid-December: about 15-21 C, dry; boxes are indoors and air-conditioned, the parade ring is outdoors on hard standing.
What regulars wear. Lucky red or gold accents are common on big days.
Common mistakes
- Blue denim in the Stewards Boxes
- Sports shoes, slides or plastic footwear
- A backpack or shopping bag in the Parade Ring
- A printed T-shirt under a jacket
Men
The dress code
HKJC written codes, strictly enforced. Stewards Boxes ('Elegant'): gentlemen in blazer or suit jacket over a shirt with standard neck tie or bow tie, long trousers and closed-toe shoes (ties optional May to October); ladies in dresses, blouses with skirts, or long trousers; no blue denim, ripped clothing, T-shirts, turtlenecks, tracksuits, singlets, cravats, shorts, overalls, sports shoes, slides, slippers, flip-flops or plastic footwear. Owners and Voting Members Boxes and the Parade Ring ('Smart Casual'): jacket over shirt, plain T-shirt or turtleneck with long trousers; dresses, blouses, skirts or long trousers; ladies may wear dressy shorts of appropriate length; no ripped clothing, printed T-shirts, tracksuits, singlets, shorts, overalls, slippers, flip-flops or plastic footwear. Overcoats or trench coats over the code are acceptable in winter.
Outfit 1
Stewards Box standard
- Suiting
- dark suit with a shirt and standard neck tie or bow tie
- Shoes
- closed-toe leather shoes
- Outerwear
- overcoat if cool
Why it passes. Jacket, shirt, tie, long trousers and closed-toe shoes are each required in December; the tie is optional only May to October.
On the day. Hong Kong in mid-December: about 15-21 C, dry; boxes are indoors and air-conditioned, the parade ring is outdoors on hard standing.
What regulars wear. Actor Aaron Kwok was refused entry in 2024 for wearing a polo shirt instead of a suit.
Outfit 2
Owners' smart casual
Why it passes. The Smart Casual tier allows a plain T-shirt or turtleneck under a jacket; a turtleneck is not allowed in the Stewards Boxes.
On the day. Hong Kong in mid-December: about 15-21 C, dry; boxes are indoors and air-conditioned, the parade ring is outdoors on hard standing.
What regulars wear. Most owners still wear a tie to lead in a winner.
Outfit 3
Parade ring suit
- Suiting
- mid-grey or navy suit
- Accessories
- tie, no cravat
- Shoes
- oxfords
Why it passes. Works in both tiers; cravats are named as unacceptable in the Stewards Boxes.
On the day. Hong Kong in mid-December: about 15-21 C, dry; boxes are indoors and air-conditioned, the parade ring is outdoors on hard standing.
What regulars wear. Keep hands free: no bags in the ring.
Common mistakes
- Polo shirt instead of a jacket and shirt
- Cravat or turtleneck in the Stewards Boxes
- Sports shoes
- Assuming the summer tie exemption applies in December
Race days this covers
- LONGINES Hong Kong International Races · second Sunday in December
Dress codes change. Check the racecourse's own page before you go: member.hkjc.com