The styles associated with National Hunt racing are markedly different from those of the flat racing season. This, of course, is primarily down to the weather. Most of us are very familiar with the kind of styles we spot at Royal Ascot and other height of the summer meetings – but getting it right for the jumps is a little trickier.
Ironically, fashion is easier in the depths of winter; at least you can pretty much guarantee it will be cold, so stout shoes and smart overcoats in a country style are generally the order of the day. But in the springtime, the weather is changeable to say the least for the biggest two meetings of the National Hunt calendar (the Cheltenham Festival in March and the Aintree Grand National meeting in early April).
So, the most important single fashion tip here is to do your homework on the weather before you go and to dress appropriately.
There were some hilariously glaring fashion faux-pas committed at last year’s Grand National meeting. This may be all part of the fun and is great in a kind of ironic way – but most of us don’t really relish public ridicule!
The Grand National 2015 meeting will be held on the 9th, 10th and 11th April – with the eponymous race held on Saturday 11th of course. From a fashion perspective, think smart country set in subtle tweeds, greens, browns and headscarves, as opposed to floral dresses and heavy make-up!
National Hunt is – ostensibly anyway – far more to do with country pursuits and the appreciation of the horses themselves, and all that goes with that. This is a very different basic “concept” to flat racing where the sport itself is more of a backdrop or “excuse” for high fashion, as it were.
So, keep it subtle at all times – but with only excellent quality, expensive garments, and above all – be appropriately prepared for whatever the British weather is going to do in the early spring.
