The Cheltenham Festival in March is the highlight of the National Hunt Season with over £4m of prize money. This year this four day festival starts with the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday 11th and ends with the Gold Cup on Friday 14th March 2025.
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.
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.
Gentlemen We Say…
Dress for the weather, dress for warmth, layering is your secret style tip when considering what to wear to Cheltenham Racecourse, as well as other courses! – And why not enjoy the occasion as an opportunity to dress up and have fun? Sartorial flair is associated with the major racecourses and after all, Cheltenham is the ‘Home of Jump Racing’.
Cheltenham Festival x Holland Cooper
Holland Cooper is a Cheltenham Racecourse and Festival Fashion partner. They specialise in fine good tailoring using heritage methods and heritage fabrics
One of their three-piece tweed suits would be a great investment for The Cheltenham Festival
The single breasted blazer has been crafted in UK mills from Scottish tweeds – Clarence Check Merlot. With classic notch lapels and neat horn buttons to fasten, the contrasting under collar makes for a contemporary twist. Satin twill lining and double welt pocket detailing. Finished with traditional Holland Cooper detailing, braided lapels and practical chain hanger loop. £599.00
The Single Breasted Blazer (Clarence Check Merlot) – Holland Cooper ®
Pair with the fully lined Classic Trouser in Clarence Check Merlot £399.00, The St James Waistcoat in Clarence Check Merlot £349.00and Bryon Roll Neck Knit in 100% Merino wool £139.00 – choose moss or chocolate. Accessorise with Chocolate Houndstooth cotton socks. £49.00 for 3 pairs.
The Classic Trouser (Clarence Check Merlot) – Holland Cooper ®
St James Waistcoat (Clarence Check Merlot) – Holland Cooper ®
Byron Roll Neck Knit (Moss) – Holland Cooper ®
Men’s Sock Gift Box (Chocolate Houndstooth Set) – Holland Cooper ®
Not only will you stay warm and strike a sartorial pose in a three piece tweed suit, it can look equally dapper when worn separately. For a quirky look wear the trousers and waistcoat together but add a different coloured tweed jacket, wear the jacket and waistcoat with a pair of jeans or wear the jacket and trousers and change the waistcoat to another tweed or a block colour woollen waistcoat. Tweeds add colour, texture and patterns that a normal business suit can’t. Smaller guys (short or in weight) should avoid the larger checks as these will just drown their frame. Go for the smaller checks. The more textured tweeds are heavier so will add bulk – good for the skinnier guy. The heavier or more rounded guys should go for the less textured tweeds and the less structured soft tweed jackets.
Tweed traditionally comes in muted earthy and autumnal colours which suit men with warm and muted colouring. Keep the warm muted colouring with shirts and jumpers to complement the look such as a cream shirt or orange jumper.
For men who have a cooler and bright colouring, never fear as there are tweeds in blues and greys such Walker Slater Edward Jacket Borders Tweed in navy herringbone window pane. Available in other colours and tweeds, £375.00
Edward Jacket | Navy Red Herringbone Windowpane Borders Tweed
Team with matching Edward trousers £185.00 and Edward waistcoat with a dashing dark red viscose back £125.00
The Borders Tweed is lighter than the traditional tweed so ideal for transitioning from winter into spring. It is Worsted Spun – meaning twisted- from a longer yarn and the blend of fine merino wool offers a soft, comfortable fabric.
The pattern is a combination of both Herringbone & Windowpane. Herringbone, also called broken twill weave, is a V-shaped weaving pattern. It is distinguished from a plain chevron by the break at reversal, which makes it resemble a broken zigzag. Windowpane is a large version of a graph check, where vertical and horizontal lines cross the fabric to create squares then cover the fabric.
If you already have a tweed jacket in a warm earthy colour, just team it with a jumper/shirt in cooler shades of pinks and blues to add more contrast and brightness.
The Overcoat
Experienced Cheltenham racegoers will emphasise how cold it can get there if you spend the day outdoors, and this is where a warm overcoat will pay dividends. Go for thick wool or a technical fabric that will withstand rain and wind. Make sure it is large enough to fit comfortably over your tweed suit. A bright colour will make a statement for big occasions, while more neutral tones will blend in with any occasion and match most suits.
Holland Cooper has the aptly named Cheltenham Coat. Available in various colours and checks. £849.00
The 100% wool Cheltenham is a single-breasted mid-length coat with slightly padded shoulders for a sharp silhouette. Features classic notch lapels and horn style button fastenings. Pop the collar to reveal our hidden fabric detailing that matches the internal double-welt ticket pocket. Finished off with functional cuff button detailing and branded alloy-finish coloured buttons.
The Cheltenham Coat (Tawny) – Holland Cooper ®
Walker Slater Chisholm Coat is a classic double breasted overcoat in the style of a peacoat but longer. Its minimal straight silhouette is designed for layering over a jacket or a heavy piece of knitwear. In 90% melton wool and 10% polyamide. Available in midnight or agate. £395.00
Chisholm Coat | Melton Plain, Agate
Layer with Knitwear
Tweeds look dapper with crisp cotton shirts or the softer and warmer brushed cotton check shirts but knitwear can elevate your look to a more contemporary style.
Walker Slater Muir Roll Neck is fine knit in 90% Merino Wool, 10% Cashmere. Available in a variety of colours including forest green. £110.00
Muir Roll Neck | Cashmere Wool Plain, Forest
Walker Slater Fenton Slipover is a softer alternative to the stiffer and chunkier waistcoat. This sleeveless slipover has a high v neckline and is made from 100% lambswool. Available in various colours, but the pumpkin orange will add a pop of colour to your earthy and muted tweeds whilst adding a spicy flavour to the stark black and navy. £74.00
The Cap
A cap will complete your dapper outfit especially if you are wearing a tweed suit or a wool overcoat, plus it will also keep your head warm and dry.
The flat cap seems at home with both the trendy and the classic fashion followers. It has an interesting history: from when every male over six years old (except the upper class) was legally bound to wear English woollen caps (or else fined) on Sundays and holidays in 1571 up until 1597; to the headgear favoured by the upper class for country pursuits; and back to the city working classes in the 1920s.
Walker Slater Rutherford cap offers a clean, classic and sporty look. The hat’s quality and craftsmanship are inspired by the Rutherford clan’s motto: ‘Nec sorte nec fato,’ which translates to ‘neither by chance nor by fate.’ In Harris Tweed Herringbone Windowpane, Highland and other shades. £58.00
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.
Rutherford Cap Harris Tweed Herringbone Windowpane Highland | Walker Slater
Similar to the flat cap is the more youthful Baker Boy or Newsboy cap which is fuller and panelled with a button on the top.
Holland Cooper Baker Boy Cap is available in a variety of colours and tweeds plus the bold contemporary black and white houndstooth.. £79.00
Baker Boy Cap (Tawny) – Holland Cooper ®
The Scarf
Keep warm but also add a pop of colour to your outfit with a wool scarf. If you are wearing a plain neutral coat then this is a way to introduce a pattern and a bright colour. If you are wearing tweed or a patterned coat, then bring out one of the colours in the pattern. It doesn’t have to be the same shade and it doesn’t have to be the dominant colour in the pattern.
Geoff Stocker Saxon Scarf is reversible with two colourways of bronze and blue making iyt flexible to be worn with earthy or cool dark tones and tweed or plain wool. Made from a woven mix of 70% wool and 30% silk. The addition of silk to the lambswool gives the scarf softness and warmth, making it ideal for all weathers in Winter. £95.00
The Pocket Square
One accessory which always adds a dashing touch with no effort at all is the pocket square – the only rule to remember is that it should never exactly match the tie. It’s a subtle, yet easy way for you to spice up what to wear to Cheltenham Racecourse.
Geoff Stocker 100% silk pocket squares will bring an explosion of colour to your jacket or coat.
Gold goes with everything! The Mayan is a flaming mandala of circling colours pulsing out beyond the edges with cooling touches of lapis blue and turquoise. Also available with blue the dominant colour. £45.00
MAYAN – Geoff Stocker silk accessories for men and women
There is no joking around with The Jester. For the gentlemen who prefer a more subtle impact on their outfit with its rich red hue and soft cream shade. The intricate design has echoes of the Harlequin from the Commedia Dell’Arte. Also available in blue/cream and teal/cream. £45.00
THE JESTER pocket square – Geoff Stocker silk accessories
Brogues and Waterproof Socks
Two-thirds of the car parks are on grass, so it could be muddy. Traditionally brogues are worn with tweed and they are also good for walking on soggy ground, after all this hardy shoe came from soggy origins. Originating in Scotland and Ireland, it started as a heavy untanned leather with perforations which were not for decoration but to allow water to drain from the shoes whilst walking through bogs and other wetlands. It became a country walking and sports shoe when the gentry saw the benefits.
Oliver Sweeney Milbrook is a classic Derby wingtip brogue boot on a super lightweight Finproject sole. The durable Finproject Xlight cleated sole has a solid sturdy appearance, with a fraction of the weight and is topped with a stitched leather rand.The upper is made from antique finished tan calf leather. £199.00
Milbrook Tan | Leather Brogue Boot | Men’s Boots | Oliver Sweeney
Sealskinz Starston is a waterproof, cold weather mid length sock to ensure your feet keep toasty and dry. Its Aquasealz™ membrane releases internal moisture, while denying the entry of water. Premium merino wool interior is soft and insulative, with natural odour-resistance. £45
Starston – Waterproof Cold Weather Mid Length Sock – Sealskinz
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.
Victory Vintage is an online shop specialising in menswear including vintage tweed, shooting suits, three piece suits and vintage formal wear. Home
The above 2 images were available at time of print, but as there is only one sample, they may not be available long.
Huntsman green tweed three piece suit size 42 bold and quite rare loud tweed suit in one of their signature checked tweed cloths. The suit of course features hand sewing, working cuff, hand sewn buttonholes and the unique purple striped linings. These special Huntsman tweeds are rare and hard to find.
Blades four piece bespoke tweed shooting suit size 40 – a rare four piece bespoke John Blades tweed suit with trousers and breeks. The suit is made from a soft John G Hardy fabric, with hand finishing and working cuff.
Holland Cooper images provided by Holland Cooper.
Walker Slater images provided by Walker Slater
Geoff Stocker images provided by Geoff Stocker
Oliver Sweeney images provided by Oliver Sweeney
Sealskinz images provided by Task PR
Victory Vintage images provided by Victory Vintage
RACING FASHION 