The Cheltenham Festival in March is the highlight of the National Hunt Season with over £4m of prize money. Starting from Tuesday 11th to Friday 14th March 2025
This four day festival is an opportunity to add a splash of colour to the dull grey skies starting with the Champion Hurdle on Day 1. Show off your true fashionista colours on Day 2 for the Slow Fashion Awards, make them green with envy on Day 3 with St Patrick’s Day and sparkle on the last day’s Gold Cup.
All prices are correct at time of publishing.
Official Dress Code
Officially there is no dress code – their motto is ‘Dress to feel Your Best’ even if that is a nice sweatshirt, pair of jeans and clean trainers.
However for a big race meeting such as The Cheltenham Festival most racegoers choose to make an effort. Whichever you decide, remember to dress for the weather. Hats are not required but will keep your head warm.
Fancy dress is not permitted in hospitality, restaurant facilities, or in the Club Enclosure. It is permitted in other areas as long as the outfit isn’t offensive, and at the racecourse’s discretion, they reserve the right to decline entry should the need arise. Sports team kits are not permitted.
Cheltenham Festival x Holland Cooper
Holland Cooper is an official Cheltenham Racecourse and Festival Fashion partner. The luxury brand harnesses a style that lasts forever; an investment piece rather than following a fashion trend. Using heritage fabrics and focusing on true tailoring. A perfect match for the races.
Their Great Coat Wide Tooth Black Herringbone pays homage to and re-imagined the Great coats worn by the British Military officers, dating back to 1914.Classic Military inspired shoulder and cuff Epaulette details, 100% wool woven in British mills. £799.00
The Great Coat (Wide Tooth Black Herringbone) – Holland Cooper ®
Team with their High Waisted Wide Leg Trouser Wide Tooth Black Herringbone £299.00 Painswick Roll Neck in Black £119.00, Cheltenham Bag in Black £329.00 and Albany boot in black suede.£379.00
Painswick Roll Neck (Black) – Holland Cooper ®
High Waisted Wide Leg Trouser (Wide Tooth Black Herringbone) – Holland Cooper ®
Cheltenham Bag (Black) – Holland Cooper ®
Albany Heeled Boot (Black Suede) – Holland Cooper ®
The Coat
March can still be a chilly month so what to wear at Cheltenham is a dilemma. You want to look glamorous but you also need to keep warm – animal prints may be stylish and fashionable but goosebumps definitely won’t fall into that category. Chances are you won’t be taking your coat or jacket off whilst watching the races, so for style your outerwear becomes the fashion priority.
Sheepers Cape Hooded Black Shearling Coat offers a glamorous look whilst providing a lightweight insulation for a cold day and temperature regulation if the day turns out to be warm. The cape can turn into a hood. Was £550.00 Now £440.00
Cape Hooded Black Shearling Coat – Etsy UK
Fairfax & Favor Victoria coat is made from Italian wool blend with a leather belt to complete that sophisticated fitted look. In camel, navy or navy blackwatch. £495.00
Victoria – Women’s Coat – Camel Wool | Fairfax & Favor
Joules’ Amberley coat has a semi-relaxed style with its raglan sleeves allowing room for layers beneath. Classic details include a double-breasted fastening with faux horn buttons, a lapel collar and a belt to create a flattering cinched effect at the waist. The long midi length will provide extra warmth. Fabric is 50% Wool, 46% Polyester, 2% Nylon, 2% Acrylic. Available in tan check or navy check. £299.00
Amberley Tan Brown Longline Wool Blend Coat with Belt | Joules
Tweed
Odds are the weather will be cold so keep warm and stylish in the favourite fabric of any winter racing event: TWEED. Tweed doesn’t have to be conservative as many fashion brands have picked up the tweed baton and created colourful and fashionable suits, dresses and coats. Other fabric favourites are tartan, houndstooth and block colour wool, along with leather, suede and (faux) fur.
Schöffel Moray Tweed Jacket is a long line jacket made using British-milled Lovat tweed. Detailing includes branded horn-button closure and two jetted pockets with trim. £450.00
Women’s Moray Tweed Jacket Brown | Schöffel Country
Here paired with the matching Beauly over the knee tweed skirt. £160.00 and Somerleyton Shirt in pure-cotton with frill collar and cuffs £90.00
Women’s Beauly Tweed Skirt Oak | Schöffel Country
Women’s Somerleyton Shirt White | Schöffel Country
For an extra layer of warmth, pair with matching Millport Tweed Waistcoat. £270.00
Women’s Millport Oak Tweed Waistcoat | Schöffel Country
Harris Tweed
Harris Tweed, the only fabric still woven by hand and is made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides. To regulate and protect the fabric against imitations, the Harris Tweed Orb certification mark was created in 1909 and is the oldest British mark of its kind. So when buying Harris Tweed, check it has the certification mark.
Walker Slater Emma jacket has a fitted, asymmetric cut based on the style of a Victorian riding jacket. The collar can be worn turned and buttoned all the way up, or folded down and half buttoned to create a lapel. The cut of this jacket is particularly flattering on those with curves, but if you don’t have curves it will give the impression you do.
The jacket comes in various tweeds, this one is a navy blue herringbone pattern with vibrant cobalt hues and flecks of rust and mauve throughout. £345.00
Emma Jacket | Navy Herringbone Harris Tweed
Team with their tapered Cara Trousers, also in navy herringbone Harris tweed. £165.00
Cara Trouser | Navy Herringbone Harris Tweed
Layering with Knitwear
The weather during The Cheltenham Festival is hard to predict so layering and choosing an outfit that can be slightly changed on the day is a safer bet for your fashion attire. Knitwear is a flexible option to wear over a blouse. Plus knitwear can add a pop of colour to a neutral palette.
Joules May Jumper has a detachable roll neck which is perfect for when the weather changes on the day from cold to cool or vice versa. Crafted from 100% extra fine merino wool. Available in various colours, but the yellow will bring a little sunshine to a cloudy March day. £90.00
May Yellow Merino Wool Jumper with Detachable Roll Neck | Joules
Walker Slater Fiona Slipover is a softer alternative to the chunkier waistcoat. This sleeveless slipover has a deep v neckline, is cropped, slim fitted and made from 100% lambswool. Available in various colours, but the mustard complements earthy and muted colours whilst adding a spicy flavour to the stark black and navy. £74.00
Fiona Slipover | Lambswool Plain | Mustard
The Hat
Although hats are not required, many women prefer to wear one to complete their racing day outfit (and to help keep warm!). Don’t bring out your summer hats though, stick to fabrics such as wool felt or (faux) fur to look stylish and keep warm.
Hicks and Brown offer a variety of colours in their wool felt fedora hats, ranging from pale shades of dusty pink and camel, spicy shades of cinnamon and mustard to the classic shades of brown, green, navy and black.
Cinnamon finished with a cluster of natural guinea feathers fastened behind a branded leather band. £109.00
Cinnamon Suffolk Fedora, Fawn Feather – Hicks & Brown
Schöffel Tweed Newsboy Cap is crafted from pure lambswool in a British mill and finished with a moisture- and stain-resistant coating. Here in Oak Herringbone tweed to match the above Schöffel outfit, but also available in a variety of tweeds. £70.00
Women’s Newsboy Cap Oak Herringbone Tweed | Schöffel Country
Add a touch of je ne sais quoi with Walker Slater Wool Beret. Available in various colours, so you can match with your outfit. The skies may be grey but this beret is sky blue. £34.00
Footwear
Two-thirds of the car parks are on grass, so it could be muddy. Best footwear are boots. Plus you can get away with a lower heel and still look chic.
Fairfax & Favor Explorer is an all-weather and all-terrain knee-high boot. In smooth waxed leather with a waterproof Sympatex® lining, that keeps your feet dry and warm. With a heavy duty YKK® zipper and Vibram sole plus a padded memory foam insole for all day comfort. Finished with the intricate scalloped fan and the signature Fairfax & Favor tassel. Available in oak or mahogany leather. £450.00
Explorer – Women’s Waterproof Boots – Oak Leather | Fairfax & Favor
The wellington has never looked so stylish and modern with IZSEL Rain boots. In Premium PVC with their signature TPU-blended sole is combined with an IZSEL tread pattern to deliver grip.
Available in various colours to match your outfit. £295.00
Women’s Classic Rain Boots in Petrolio | Italian-Made IZSEL Rain Boots
Vintage for Slow Fashion Awards
Day 2 is Style Wednesday and Cheltenham presents the Slow Fashion Awards which encourages racegoers to ditch fast fashion and wear vintage and borrowed items instead, as well as investment pieces that can be passed down through generations. They encourage all racegoers to showcase their unique and personal style, and to share the stories behind their amazing outfits with friends, family and on social media.
Vintage clothing can be found online, vintage shops and market stalls but won’t be available in all sizes. They are usually just one size so it will take a lot of searching.
Etsy is a good place to start online such as Ascendance Fashion which sells one off vintage pieces from 1940s up to 1980s which are perfect for Chelthenham races. The above 2 images were available at time of print, but as there is only one sample, they may not be available long. AscendanceFashion – Etsy UK
Zorica, owner of Ascendance Fashion explains “When you mention vintage fashion people automatically assume 1940s and 1950s, but it is becoming increasingly harder to source garments that are still sturdy and in ‘modern’ sizes: more often than not they are a UK size 4 or 6 in modern sixes and hard to find larger sizing. So the 1960s ,1970s and yes absolutely the 1980s are a fantastically glamorous option of quality and edge. I am a particular fan of Mansfield for example, and so was Princess Diana.“
This 1980s Iconic green Mansfield coat is a size 10. It is the ultimate fit & flare coat with dramatic huge shoulders, mutton sleeves and is a blend of cashmere and wool with faux fur trim. Zorica enthuses “Leg of mutton sleeves are soooo back in fashion!”
She describes this early1960s Harella ‘Atomic’ weave wool wiggle suit as “Very warm for a day’s chilly jump racing, especially with the mouton collar which stands up if required, and windproof mouton cuffs: exposed wrists are one of the easiest ways for body to lose heat so these are lovely.” Harella were a very prestigious British Fashion House. Made in Halifax Yorkshire UK with UK wool (a mix with viscose) and sheepskin fur. Marked as a UK size 16, this translates as a UK size 14 in today’s sizes. A 12 would get away with it too.
Check out your local markets. If you live in or are visiting London, then visit Portobello Market in Notting Hill, it is teaming with vintage clothing. And don’t forget to explore its surrounding shops. Archive by Natalie is a one of the vintage fashion stores nearby specialising in designer wear – address is 49 Pembridge Road but you can also purchase items via their instagram @archivebynatalie.
Holland Cooper images provided by Holland Cooper.
Sheepskin images provided by Sheepskin
Fairfax & Favor, Joules & Schöffel provided by Bloxham PR
Walter Slater images provided by Walter Slater
Izsel images provided by The Pop Group
Hicks and Brown images provided by Hicks and Brown
Ascendance Fashion images provided by Ascendance Fashion
RACING FASHION 