Horse races are always a kind of exciting sporting event to watch, no matter where you are in the world. The various festivals bring different people from different regions to watch the horses compete together. You will always find it exciting to spend your time on this activity. Many people also place a bet on the horse that they feel will win as a way of extra thrilling.
Nevertheless, besides just betting, a lot of people dress up when they go to a horse race. In fact, it is not compulsory, but it will bring you different types of feelings and experiences when watching a horse race. Here are some outfit ideas for men and women so that you can know what to wear to a horse race. This makes sure you look good while still enjoying your horse race.
What To Wear To A Horse Race For Woman
In fact, not all horse races offer the same reputation and thrill as some of the key racetracks. Nevertheless, almost all flat races occur as a social event. Hence, women tend to dress in haute couture. For those who don’t know, some horse race events even prize attendees with a best-costume award for anyone in attendance!
Even when it is a kind of weather-dependent horse race event, women tend to wear modest-length dresses or skirts. They don’t usually wear pants to such races. Heels are also a great addition. However, if someone finds it uncomfortable to wear heels, flats are an excellent alternative. Socks make a huge difference at the race track. Other great accessories to wear include “Derby” style gloves, hats, and hand-held fans.
It is recommended to choose dresses and accessories of fun colors with floral patterns, prints, or a conventional palette of spring pastels. Even when autumn approaches, many women love to wear fall nudes styles that still make them look accentuated in dresses of bright colors. You can take a look at some of the examples of the women’s cowboy boots in the article.
However, several horse races have strict dress codes. And if you don’t obey these rules, you might not be allowed to attend the race.
What To Wear To A Horse Race For Men
In some cases, men are required to wear even more formal clothes than women when attending horse races. In other words, men’s dress codes might be stricter in certain respects. For instance, if a man wants to attend the Royal Enclosure, they have to wear a three-piece suit with a top hat. Some horse races even require them to wear socks in order to attend a horse race event.
In fact, not all races require these strict rules of dress code for males. However, men especially still wear a suit or at least a collared shirt. When you don’t know which color is the best to pair, colorful accents or pastels are always a go-to for most races.
You might or might not know that this typical dress code is usually considered a “smart dress”. It usually includes a suit, or at the very least, a shirt with a tie. Besides, men tend to wear accessories such as leather belts and socks. Proper footwear is also thoroughly chosen before attending these horse races. There are different dresses to wear, depending on the weather and season, such as formal suits, blazers, or collared shirts.
Things to Consider Before Choosing What to Wear to a Horse Race
Before you decide to buy an outfit for an upcoming horse race, you should keep in mind these important things. There is no need for you to make a rushed decision. You need to equip yourself with not only dress, headwear, shoes, and other glamorous accessories, but more importantly, you should look elegant and fashionable from head to toe. But, don’t forget to be comfortable while wearing those dresses.
And here are some crucial factors to keep in mind before choosing what to wear to a horse race. Please read more how to choose the right type of protective toe caps.
Dress code
Different horse race events will have their own dress codes. Therefore, make sure you search for the specific requirements for dress codes before buying any dress, footwear, headwear, or accessories.
While this sounds relatively complex, finding information about a suitable dress is not as difficult as you think. Usually, if a race requires a strict dress code, it will offer relevant information available on the website or letters so that you can easily check.
For women, it is usually more about the requirements relating to dress length and headwear. The dress code is to make sure that every attendee is aware of their importance of attractive and elegant fashion is always expected at a horse race.
Season and weather
While this might seem to be an obvious thing, it is really easy to shop for a day at a horse race while gazing at charming dresses and high strappy sandals. Nevertheless, it is more important to dress suitably for the season and weather. This is because you usually have to stand outdoors most of the time in almost all horse races.
For example, in the middle of summer, lightweight and airy dresses will help you stay cooler when exposed to the sun all day. However, winter racing days need more than a scarf or cashmere scarf, and a pair of good standing shoes will keep you warm when standing outdoors.
Color
Dressing up for a horse race is always fun and exciting, and your outfit should also reflect that spirit. Hence, you can consider buying dresses with bright colors or floral patterns. Black is really classy, but it doesn’t seem to be really suitable for such events. If you still want to look chic, you can consider pinks and dark blues. Believe it or not, this outfit will make a statement look while keeping eternal elegance.
White is also a go-to for horse races. Since you do not usually wear a white dress to someone’s wedding day, horse races are a good time for you to try this gorgeous palette by dressing up in a pure white dress and hat.
Re-wears
Getting lost in what you would like to wear on a horse race is also possible when you are looking for the best outfit to wear on that day. This way, you can only get one dress, headwear, footwear, or accessories out of your outfit before it’s hidden in your closet.
So, you can always wear the outfit again. But you need to think about where and when you should dress that style because it might be suitable for one race but not others.
How To Accessorize For Horse Races
This is always a hard question for lots of people, both men and women, since they are just as crucial as your outfit. In some situations, they are even more important.
Headwear is one of the most vital accessories to finish your outfit as it reflects the dress code of a horse race. So, make sure you choose the suitable type of headwear that is not only styled with your outfit but also suitable for the event and you can check the top list of 15 high quality zumba shoes available here.
Headwear
As mentioned above, headwear is considered a really important accessory when it comes to outfits for horse races. But if you choose the wrong one, it can make your outfit look so terrible. So, make sure that you take your time to pick the proper hat that really matches your outfit and the dress code of the race.
If you choose the right one, it will add a lot of glamor to your appearance. It can be either a full and wide-brim hat, detailed headbands, or fascinators, etc. It is always a good opportunity for you to wear something stylish and even statement.
The best clothes tend to share a color palette that doesn’t exactly match. You can also choose a hat that is totally different from your outfit color but make sure that it complements it attractively.
Footwear
If you attend a full-day horse race, it is really crucial to opt for heels that are comfortable for you to stand in for a long period. Open-toe or peep-toe sandals are always a great option for summer or spring. On the other hand, you need to keep your feet warm. So, covered-toe shoes are great to try. You can wear covered-toe pointed heels for a more chic and elegant look instead of round-toe shoes with flat soles.
It is always a good idea to give perfect riding horse boots a trial before you decide to buy them, typically if it is an expensive pair. Besides, if you have to deal with foot aches when wearing heels, you can consider buying extra cushioning inserts to relieve pain.
From the dress to accessories, every item on your body is as crucial as each other. If you pair them appropriately, you can create an attractive and elegant look that really shows off your fashion and style.
Different Types of Horse Race
Firstly, you should know about different types of horse races. This way, you can easily choose a suitable outfit for a specific horse race. When it comes to horse races, most people are talking about the conventional Thoroughbred belonging to The Jockey Club. Spectators don’t need to worry about what to wear in such races because comfort is not considered the most important thing.
Other types of horse races usually have a less ceremonial atmosphere, typically if it depends on the season. For instance, the Kentucky Derby is considered one of the most famous fashion mecca! Haute couture magazines and media sources present a wide range of gorgeous and stunning dress choices by audiences who are almost the winning horse!
Horse Race Basics
One of the best ways to better understand what a particular race looks like is to visit a consumer or spectator website. Besides, you can use hashtags on social media and location finder features to view photos of those events or taken there. By doing this, you can know what other guests who have been allowed to attend wear.
Male and female will take advantage of the dress code. Nevertheless, it is still better to dress ostentatiously than to dress under the track. Below are some basic do’s and don’ts lists of what to wear to a horse race.
Do’s:
- Discreet skirts or long dresses for women
- Men’s shirt with collar
- Opt for fun colors and pastels
- Consider formal hats for big horse races
- Wear an extra sweater or jacket when it’s cold
- Statement accessories are important for female
- Add accessories for males, such as socks, belts, hats, etc.
- High heels or flats for women
- Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen in summer
Don’ts:
- Wear sandals or sneakers
- Use provocative or “club” clothing
- Formal robes
- Bulky backpacks or bags
- Sporty clothes
- Baseball caps
- Graphic t-shirts or logo items
- Casual sweatshirts or outerwear
Frequently Asked Questions
This part shows you some commonly asked questions about what to wear to a horse race. Keep reading to find interesting facts and your answers too.
What shoes should I wear to horse races?
Practical shoes are always considered one of the best options. You can also wear high heels, but if you have any foot problems, you should avoid them. This is because you will have to stand all day long on your feet. Not to mention the distance from the car park or station to the stands can make your problem even worse.
Why do many women wear hats to horse races?
For those who don’t know, organized horse races can be more expensive than you think. Therefore, they are considered the domain of the upper class. Thus, wealthy women tend to wear their glamorous, expensive hats to such horse races to set them apart from the crowd.
Do I have to wear a fascinator to the horse races?
It is expected that women participating in horse races will wear hats, fascinators, or any kind of headgear. In fact, there are no strict rules about this (even in the members’ zone), so it is not necessary to wear fascinators to a horse race.
Can I wear a black dress to the Melbourne Cup?
Yes, you can completely wear the black outfit to Melbourne Cup Day. Bright and bold colors are even highly recommended. Black and white is a perfect combination, and they are always popular, typically on Derby Day. However, these colors are not suitable for the Spring Carnival because this event is best known for its color and vibrancy.
What are horse racing hats called?
Horse racing hats are popularly known as fascinators. They are usually worn with formal clothes and popular among wealthy ladies when they want to stand out in a horse race.
Can women wear pants to the Kentucky Derby?
Ladies should not wear pants to the Kentucky Derby since it is a day typically for spring clothing (long and short are acceptable), suits, and the white leather shoes. If you still want to wear pants on that day, make sure they look fancy and match your outfit and accessories.
What should I wear to a horse race when it’s cold?
You can wear an extra jacket if it’s cold. It also perfectly pairs with your tights or leggings. Jackets are also a good option for men because they go with almost all suits.
Conclusion
Whether it is your first time attending a horse race, it is really important to remember to dress modestly. Unlike many other horse racing events, this is a kind of event for you to impress others with your outfit, typically at larger racecourses with a more public nature.
If you follow the above tips and guidelines, you will definitely be a good fit, and more importantly, you will be absolutely allowed to the track. Dressing up should also be fun and interesting. Remember that a part of the full-day horse racing experience is the overall outfit that contributes to the atmosphere at the race.
