United States · 5 outfits
What to wear to Southern steeplechase
Covers Carolina Cup, Aiken, Iroquois, Steeplechase of Charleston.
Outfits built to the dress code as the racecourse states it, with the reason each one passes.
where you are standing
General admission and tailgates
Women
The dress code
Southern steeplechases have no binding dress code. Carolina Cup: 'There is no official dress code at the races. However, most women wear bright sundresses and hats, while men wear dress shirts, slacks and often a bright colored tie.' Iroquois: 'there's no required look' - smart Southern casual (sundresses, linen, sunhats, boots, sport coats or linen jackets), shoes suitable for grass, layers. Steeplechase of Charleston: no formal dress code; elegant dresses and crafted hats, sports jackets and bow ties; comfortable shoes a must.
Outfit 1
Carolina Cup sundress
- Dresses
- bright printed cotton sundress, knee length
- Headwear
- wide-brim straw hat with ribbon
- Shoes
- flat leather sandals or espadrille wedges
- Bags
- monogrammed straw tote
- Jewellery
- pearl studs
Why it passes. Exactly what the Carolina Cup says most women wear; enters the best dressed and best hat competition.
On the day. Gates 9am to evening on grass: flats or wedges, sunscreen, a cardigan.
What regulars wear. Lilly-style prints and monograms rule Camden.
Outfit 2
Nashville boots
- Dresses
- white eyelet midi dress
- Shoes
- tan leather western boots
- Headwear
- bold fascinator or felt-trimmed sun hat
- Outerwear
- denim or linen jacket for layers
Why it passes. Iroquois names sundresses, sunhats and boots; no required look, so denim is fine here.
On the day. Boots beat heels on the Percy Warner hillside; layers for May swings.
What regulars wear. Christine A. Moore is the Official Milliner of the Iroquois Steeplechase and sells on the Vendor Hillside.
Outfit 3
Charleston autumn
- Dresses
- rust silk wrap dress with long sleeves
- Headwear
- felt wide-brim hat with feather
- Shoes
- suede block-heel boots
- Bags
- leather saddle bag
Why it passes. Elegant dress and a crafted hat, as the Charleston FAQ describes.
On the day. Mild November, sandy turf.
What regulars wear. Fall colour for the November meets.
Common mistakes
- Stilettos - they sink
- No hat at a meet with a hat contest
- Forgetting layers: early gates, long day
Men
The dress code
Southern steeplechases have no binding dress code. Carolina Cup: 'There is no official dress code at the races. However, most women wear bright sundresses and hats, while men wear dress shirts, slacks and often a bright colored tie.' Iroquois: 'there's no required look' - smart Southern casual (sundresses, linen, sunhats, boots, sport coats or linen jackets), shoes suitable for grass, layers. Steeplechase of Charleston: no formal dress code; elegant dresses and crafted hats, sports jackets and bow ties; comfortable shoes a must.
Outfit 1
Bright tie
- Suiting
- stone chinos
- Accessories
- white dress shirt, bright patterned tie or bow tie, needlepoint belt
- Outerwear
- navy blazer carried for later
- Shoes
- leather loafers or boots
Why it passes. The Carolina Cup's own description: dress shirt, slacks, bright tie.
On the day. Loafers on dry days, boots if wet.
What regulars wear. Bow ties and croakies: the college-South uniform.
Outfit 2
Linen jacket
- Suiting
- tan linen jacket, light trousers
- Accessories
- blue gingham shirt
- Shoes
- suede chukkas
- Headwear
- straw hat
Why it passes. Iroquois lists sport coats or linen jackets and dress shirts.
On the day. Breathable.
What regulars wear. Can enter Most Stylish Male in the Nfocus Style Contest.
Common mistakes
- Shorts and a fraternity T-shirt in a hospitality tent
- Brand-new leather soles on wet grass
Race days this covers
- Steeplechase of Charleston · Sun 15 Nov 2026
- Iroquois Steeplechase · Sat 8 May 2027
- Aiken Fall Steeplechase · last Saturday of October (2026: 31 October)
- Aiken Spring Steeplechase · third or fourth Saturday of March (2026: 21 March)
- Carolina Cup · last Saturday of March or first Saturday of April (2026: 28 March, 91st running)
- Steeplechase of Charleston 2027 · second or third Sunday of November
Dress codes change. Check the racecourse's own page before you go: iroquoissteeplechase.org