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Our New Cheltenham Festival Ladies Style Guide for 2024
It’s that time of year again – the countdown to Cheltenham Festival is on! The four day racing event is officially all about the horses, but we know there’s a lot more to it than the fastest racehorse on the day. Fashion is a huge aspect of Cheltenham, as people dress to impress and aim to make a statement. As usual, Holland Cooper is the event’s official fashion partner, with founder Jade Holland Cooper a daily visitor to the site, showcasing the brand’s elegant tailoring.
While Holland Cooper may race ahead in the style features, there are plenty of other of our favourite country brands with the perfect aesthetic for Cheltenham festival, such as Dubarry and Schöffel. So, read on as we pick out the best styles from their collections to help create your perfect race day outfit.
Cheltenham Festival Style Guide: Traditional Tweed
Tweed is the go-to style for Cheltenham, bringing classic English heritage and country styling to your ensemble. An elegant and well-fitted women’s tweed jacket or coat is an instant statement piece that you can build the rest of your outfit around. The earthy tones of tweed are easy to match and the wool fabric is a natural cold-weather repellent. Here are some of our favourite choices:
1. Dubarry Bracken Tweed Jacket
The Dubarry Bracken tweed jacket is perfect for the unpredictable weather that March brings to Cheltenham. Cosy wool fabric is coated with Teflon to create an exterior that will repel showers. There is also a storm flap and a stand-up collar to keep the worst of the cold winds out. Most importantly, however, this jacket is beautifully fitted, giving a flattering silhouette and ensuring all day comfort.
2. Holland Cooper Kempton Tweed Coat
The Holland Cooper Kempton Tweed Coat is the perfect mid-length tailored piece for the races. Wear it open or fastened with the two shiny gold buttons which contrast beautifully against the blue/grey wool fabric. The shape of this coat naturally keeps warmth in, as well as providing an elegant silhouette.
3. Schöffel Portree Tweed Jacket
The Schöffel Portree Tweed Jacket is an elegant longline coat with super smart lines and a classic outline. Masterful crafting in lambswool creates a comfortable and cosy coat, with a satin lining to enhance the warmth and luxury. Stride confidently through the grounds in this coat and leave a trail of sophistication in your wake.
4. Holland Cooper Single Breasted Tweed Field Blazer
A truly traditional and timeless jacket, the Holland Cooper Single Breasted Field Blazer is a premium investment piece of outerwear that will stay relevant for years. The beautiful tawny colour will complement any wardrobe choice, whether you favour neutral or bold colour palettes.
As for what to wear with your beautiful new tweed coat or jacket, we love seeing a crisp women’s shirt or roll-neck jumper underneath. Then, either go all out with a tweed skirt to match, or change it up with a pair of simple skinny jeans.
Cheltenham Festival Style Guide: Beautiful Boots
Days at Cheltenham Festival are long, with no seating except for those in the premium areas. Therefore your choice of women’s footwear is crucial to keeping you comfortable as you wait for your luck to be drawn. However, there’s no need to compromise your outfit for the sake of comfort. With our selection of premium boots of all lengths, you can have both!
1. Fairfax & Favor Regina Boots
A firm favourite here at Outdoor and Country, the Fairfax & Favor Regina Boots are a style staple for events like Cheltenham. You can select the perfect boot for your outfit – choose your colour, heel height, calf width, and either suede or leather. Once you’ve pulled that zip up and swished your tassels, you’re set for the day. Most importantly, the memory foam insole ensures complete comfort all day long.
2. Dubarry Downpatrick Boots
Dubarry boots are known for being comfortable, durable and long lasting, perfect for long hours of wear. The Dubarry Downpatrick Boots take all the best classic features of their country performance boots and combine with an elegant silhouette to create a more formal design that is right at home at events such as Cheltenham. These boots have a cushioned footbed for comfort, and the exterior is water resistant, allowing you to relax if the weather turns.
3. Ariat Darlin Leather Ankle Boots
Cowboy boots are back in fashion, and nobody does country cowgirl style better than Ariat. The Ariat Darlin Boots are full of features that ensure ultimate comfort, including a cushioned insole and thick durable outsole. The moderate heel won’t result in you sinking into any mud, and the boots are easy to style with a smart blazer and jeans.
Cheltenham Festival Style Guide: Accessories & Finishing Touches
1. High Society Headwear
Women’s hats and caps are the perfect accessory for your Cheltenham outfits. While they’re statement pieces that can tie your look together with a flourish, they provide the added benefit of keeping your head warm and dry in less-than-ideal weathers. Just make sure you keep hold of it if the wind builds up! Fedora hats are always a popular choice as the huge variety means you can select the perfect colour and decoration to complement the rest of your ensemble. Alternatively, tweed hats emphasise the traditional English country look.
2. Convenient Crossbody Bags
Women’s crossbody bags are almost the only way to go at Cheltenham Festival, although a decent sized clutch bag is a decent alternative if you don’t mind holding it. The long straps on crossbody bags are super useful as they keep your hands free while also keeping your belongings secured around your body. Fewer hands holding a handbag – more available to hold glasses of fizz or winning betting slips!
3. Sumptuous Scarves
For the final touch, why not add a beautiful women’s scarf to complete your look? Scarves can add colour to a neutral palette, or add contrast to a particular colour scheme. Of course, they’ll also help to protect you against the unknown March weather! Plus, you can tie and wear these versatile accessories in so many different ways, thereby creating multiple outfits in one go. Choose from practical wool or super soft silk, in a huge range of colours and patterns. You’re sure to find the perfect design!
Enjoy Cheltenham!
Finally, once your outfit is decided, make sure you relax and enjoy the atmosphere of Cheltenham festival! We can’t wait to see photos from the event, so don’t forget to tag us @outdoorandcountry on Instagram, and use #outdoorandcountry on all your race day images!
