Fashion Tips For A Day At The Races

Guest Post by Karen Jones

The spring horse-racing season always brings about some of the most interesting displays of style in a given year. And unlike fashion in general with its ever-changing trends, the style at horse-racing events remains relatively similar year to year. For this reason, the autumn and winter seasons are actually good times to look ahead to events like these and plan some outfits, as warm-weather clothing and accessories can sometimes be found at more reasonable prices this time of year! So for those interested, here's our look ahead at some ideas for race day fashion in 2015.

First off, it's worth talking about where to look for past examples of race day fashion. Truthfully, just about any high-profile horse-racing event tends to feature some pretty glamorous looks, but it's still the major weekends that generate the most attention from a fashion perspective. In America, many look to the Kentucky Derby as a pinnacle of horse-racing fashion. But in the UK, nothing tops the looks and styles you see during the Cheltenham Festival.

The Cheltenham 2015 schedule includes four days of activity, with races occurring throughout. Each day has its own signature race, and they generate a great deal of attention as spectators and fans across Europe bet on outcomes and tune in to see which horses come out on top. But while the days at Cheltenham are differentiated by the schedules for these races, the bright and festive fashion of the occasion is a constant for those who attend.

Last year, the Cheltenham Festival provided a virtual catalogue of examples as to what makes race day fashion so much fun. The Telegraph's recap of Ladies' Day the second day of the festival, at which fashion is specifically highlighted—shows everything from colourful warm-weather dresses and oversized hats to stylish overcoats, leather boots, and mock riding attire. Going off of these examples, here are a few of our specific suggestions for how to set yourself up for a fashionable day at the races come spring 2015.

Again, what you actually wear may fall within a very broad spectrum of style ideas. But making a bold and bright statement will turn your race day fashion into a triumph.

• Find a fun accessory. This can be anything from a handbag to a sparkling brooch, but it's fun to show off some accessories you otherwise wouldn't wear much!
  
• Don't assume it will be warm. As you'll notice looking through the photos of Cheltenham's 2014 Ladies Day, there are actually a number of coats, pairs of boots, and other garments featured that indicate cooler weather. Spring races can be windy and can have unexpectedly cool days, so plan accordingly.
• Be adventurous. Some of the most exciting race day looks might border on being tacky in the wrong environments, so have fun with it and experiment.

At the end of the day, it's all about enjoying what you wear. For those of you who do fancy attending a day at the races in the spring of 2015, there's plenty of time left to plan some outfits. But the season will be here before we know it, and you may just luck out on some deals if you start your shopping now!