What to wear to Cheltenham Festival 2022
– History & Heritage –
Cheltenham Festival, the greatest convention for horse racing fanatics across the UK, is an annual event held at Prestbury Park where professional horse jockeys and trainers come together to compete in the world of horse racing.
The festival traces its history back to the 1860s under the title “Grand National Hunt Meeting” which took place at the Market Harborough. The event has been held at several locations over the years, including the Warwick Racecourse. It was only after the refurbishment of Cheltenham’s Prestbury Park in 1911 that the event was marked to take place at Cheltenham permanently.
Cheltenham Festival is famed for its Gold Cup race, which first took place in 1819 as a pretty short, flat, 3-mile distance with no hurdles. To date, it is the most popular race that takes place at the festival and is always scheduled on the last day of the event. Back in 1819, the races were not complicated. Instead of the current regular hurdles and fences for horse jumps, the contest was a flat race with a small winning payout of £685.
The current version of the gold cup event was first held in 1924 and is now regularly scheduled for Mid March – coinciding with St Patrick ’s Day celebrations, which is perhaps why the races attract so many eager participants totalling over 200, 000 every year. The gold cup is the most prestigious non-handicap race in the UK, and it now covers about 3miles with 22 fences.
– Cheltenham Festival Dress Code –
Officially there is no dress code at Cheltenham Festival, however, the impression that surrounds the event signals for a dress to impress approach that many of the visitors gladly accept. The Festival takes place in March each year and so this means the weather can impact the outfit choices of visitors. The course recommends dressing for the weather but many still dress to impress come rain or shine.
This year, The Jockey Club has announced model and TV presenter Rosie Tapner as the official style ambassador for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.
– For Women –
From feathers and frocks to fedoras and fascinators, ladies usually like to emphasise the glamour of Cheltenham in their festival outfits, especially on the 2nd day of the event, Ladies Day. Flashy dresses and charming accessories will be at the forefront of the race tracks, and if opting for high heels, it is prudent to bring a pair of comfortable ones due to the long periods standing for many hours. Chatham shoes feature Sole Spring performance cushioning which is anti-bacterial and offers maximum comfort and shock absorption
Below is a selection of outfit inspiration on how to style your Chatham shoes and boots for Cheltenham Festival 2022, be it for the infamous Ladies Day, the Gold Cup or St Patricks Thursday.
Outfit 1:
Heritage Check Blazer // Tan Leather Accessories // Ruffle Neck Blouse // Wool Feathered Fedora Hat // Faux Fur Stole // Coated Skinny Jeans // For all day comfort – Chatham Savannah Tan Suede Boots
Outfit 2:
Floral Printed Skater Dress // Fur Trim Poncho // Nude Feather Fascinator // Rose Gold Accessories // For casual comfort – Chatham Aria Suede Driving Moccasins
Outfit 3:
Matching Check Skirt and Jacket Suit // Turtleneck Jumper // Nude Leather Bag // Feather Fedora Hat // For whatever the weather – Chatham Gatcombe 100% Waterproof Boots
– For Men –
From Tweed to Top Hats, Gentlemen are advised to wear suits and other formal clothes as a part of the dress code at Cheltenham Gold Cup and during their visit to the enclosures, whereas any other relaxed but smart style is welcome on any other events such as St Patricks Day.
The most iconic and appropriate look for men attending Cheltenham Festival is tweed – which is just as well as not only is it warm and waterproof (it is March!) it is comfortable and breathable, and as a fabric is designed for long days out in the British countryside. As for footwear, Chatham Wentworth, Buckland and Southill shoes fit the bill well and when teamed with a hat or flat cap completes the outfit so you will be practically dressed for whatever the weather throws at you.
Outfit 1:
Navy Tweed Waistcoat // Wool Flatcap // Navy Chinos// Rust Tie and Pocket Square // Printed Socks // For smart comfort – Chatham Wentworth Leather Derby Shoes
Outfit 2:
Country Check Shirt // Stone Chinos // Tweed Jacket // Tan Leather Belt // Burgundy Printed Socks and Pocket Square // For warmth and stability – Chatham Buckland Leather Lace up Boots
Outfit 3:
Dark Blue Straight Leg Jeans // Traditional Wax Jacket // Quarter Zip Jumper // Cashmere Check Scarf // For waterproof confidence – Chatham Southill Premium Leather Chelsea Boots
