The National Hunt season is in full swing, and if you’re looking forward to a day - or several days - at the races, you might just be thinking about what to wear. Whether you’re heading to Kempton for the Christmas Festival, Sandown for the Tingle Creek meet or a smaller track for their festive fun, race day style is about striking the perfect balance between feeling confident, comfortable and beautifully put-together.
At Etton Taylor we believe in investment dressing: choosing timeless pieces that elevate your look, flatter your shape and work season after season. We also know that staying warm and dry helps us enjoy every moment of a day at the races, so it’s worth planning ahead and being able to tweak an outfit for the forecast! With that in mind, here’s our guide to nailing race day style with ease.
Start with a flawless foundation
A great place to start building a chic race day outfit is from the base up. That means choosing warm, lightweight layers that sit comfortably under coats and tailoring without adding bulk.
Roll necks can be your best friend here. Styles such as the Isabelle Roll Neck, Miro Roll Neck and Nikki Funnel Neck offer that soft, streamlined silhouette that looks smart in every setting. They also photograph beautifully, with no gaping collars or untucked shirts to worry about. Choose colours that complement your outerwear: soft neutrals, rich winter tones or subtle marl textures all work well. Check out all our jumper designs here.
If you tend to run warm or you’d love your layers to add a pop of glamour to your outfit, our Rockingham Ruffled Blouses are a great choice. They have just a little bit of stretch to make them flattering and comfortable to wear all day long and the ruffles at the neck and cuffs elevate your outfit.
Let outerwear do the heavy lifting!
A hero jacket, coat or cape will define your race day look, and if you’re likely to spend most of the day outside, good outerwear is essential.
If you lean towards classic tailoring, the Kempton Wool Coat or Marlow Herringbone Jacket brings that sharp, heritage-inspired finish that feels right at home on a racecourse. If you prefer a more fashion-forward or softer silhouette, our Pippa Wool and Cashmere Cape delivers elegance and a polished look while being really comfortable to wear.
Whatever your outerwear style, we recommend you consider structure, clean lines and fabrics that hold their shape - the kind of pieces that instantly pull your outfit together.
Choose a colour palette that shines in photos
If you love taking photos to remember days out and big occasions - or turning heads at the races - it helps to choose shades that stand out for all the right reasons.
Deep greens, navy, plum, mocha and charcoal always photograph beautifully, while a vivid scarlet or other bold share will ensure you stand out. Working out what colours work with your hair and skin tone and that pair easily with your favourite accessories will ensure your choices feel timeless across the whole season. If you love lighter colours and neutrals then remember to anchor them with texture, for example a tweed jacket, herringbone scarf, fur trim or tonal knit adds depth.
Accessories are the perfect place to introduce a lift of colour to those more pared back shades: a pop of hot pink, mint or plum in your scarf or wrap brings warmth and personality without overwhelming your look.
Weather-proof without compromising on style
As we mentioned earlier in the blog, British race days are famously unpredictable. The trick is layering cleverly so you stay warm, and choosing footwear and accessories that help you stay comfortable until the very last race is run
Here are some simple tips:
● Warm clothes don’t have to be bulky…Choosing cashmere or merino wool for your layers can help you stay snug without adding bulk that feels restrictive under a coat.
● Unless you’re heading to a box for the whole meeting, wear shoes or boots that you can actually walk in - there are so many gorgeous options from Penelope Chilvers, Fairfax & Favor and Celtic and Co. that there’s no need to wear something clunky!
● An oversized scarf or wrap (like our best-selling fur-trimmed cashmere and silk designs) offers instant warmth and will really add elegance to your ensemble too. You could use a belt to nip it in at the waist if a wrap draped over your coat means you lose the structure of your look.
Don’t forget the finishing touches
Accessories often make more difference than lots of people realise. They pull a look together; add texture and help you stand out stylishly in a crowd. Choose jewellery and a handbag or clutch that compliments your look, whether it’s statement styles to set off a pared back or neutral ensemble, or understated designs in coordinating shades.
We have a range of silk scarves, from long styles that can easily double as a belt if needed, to square styles and ones with a detachable fur collar for a truly chic look. We also have a huge range of classic cashmere-silk wraps that can transform even the simplest outfit.
Elegant doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable, and we think that race day style is at its best when you feel confident, gorgeous and free to enjoy every moment. If you think you’d like a little bit of help to find the style that really makes you feel like a million dollars, why not explore a personal shopping appointment? It could be the difference between a day when you avoid photos to one where you’re taking all the selfies!
