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What would YOU wear to a horse race?

wazungu

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Going to a horse race this weekend (Gold Cup in VA). It's a steeplechase event that I believe is more about drinking and being social than the actual horses. I'm looking for some sartorial inspiration to help me decide what to wear. So if you have ever been to this type of event before or have any knowledge at all what these things are like please share.
 

Holdfast

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Don't know about on your side of the pond, but over here, I sometimes go to the Epsom Derby, one of our biggest races in the calendar. It's a fun day out and attire is pretty informal...

derbysmallaf6.jpg


Won a nice sum on the big race that particular year, too... paid for a few shirts, at least.
smile.gif


derbysmall2xf0.jpg



Of course, if your Gold Cup is more like our Ascot, then you'd have to dress up a bit more.
smile.gif
 

JayJay

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Holdfast, I like the hat. The whole look is great.
 

mr monty

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Originally Posted by wazungu
Going to a horse race this weekend (Gold Cup in VA). It's a steeplechase event that I believe is more about drinking and being social than the actual horses. I'm looking for some sartorial inspiration to help me decide what to wear. So if you have ever been to this type of event before or have any knowledge at all what these things are like please share.

Where will you be? Grandstands, infields, or in the saddle
laugh.gif
 

cheessus

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All you need to wear is the scent of mint juleps, and you're pretty much good to go.
 

wazungu

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we'll be in the vip tent.

It's steeplechase, so no real infield or grandstands, just poeple who can see the start (us), and people who can get splashed on by the mud of the horses going by (poor people).
 

Luc-Emmanuel

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Originally Posted by wazungu
we'll be in the vip tent.

It's steeplechase, so no real infield or grandstands, just poeple who can see the start (us), and people who can get splashed on by the mud of the horses going by (poor people).


nice attitude.

!luc
 

DeweyD

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Dress to impress, Tie always-Jacket sometimes.
 

Holdfast

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Originally Posted by wazungu
we'll be in the vip tent.

If it's anything like the VIP tents over here the majority of people there are corporate hospitality boozers and/or Z-list celebs, also there for the free booze. If the weather's warm, the marquees become rather sticky & unpleasant, regardless of what ventilation systems have been put in place.

However, you will find a small minority who go every year and like a bet and a laugh - they usually escape the tent as soon as possible to go find a bookie and mingle with the crowd, returning only to freshen their glass to either celebrate or commisserate a race result.
smile.gif


Attire in the tent will equally fall into a few groups - rented tat if the tent has a formal dress code, average corporate suits with a "fun" tie or waistcoat if not, and then a group similar to my photo above, maybe with a blazer or odd jacket on top. Tie at the start of the day, probably, but usually disappeared after the 3rd race, to prevent you hanging yourself from your losses.
laugh.gif
 

John Ellis

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First consideration temperature. Since it's VA on May 3 I have to assume it's in the mid seventies. This dictates summer weight. So Linen jacket with suitable pocket square. Colorful shirt (bold stripe?) open neck or contrasting tie according to choice. If you wanted to be bold you could do bowtie. Linen/silk mix pants or immaculately pressed chinos. Shoes?, well it would be nice to do the spectator but whenever fields and mud might be in the offing it might be safer to go with the bucks, cheaper and more disposable. Finally to top it all off how about a panama if you are that brave.
 

John Ellis

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Originally Posted by shoreman1782
If you're an asshole and going to the Gold Cup, my guess is you already know what to wear.

smile.gif


Judging by your pics my recs for VA were spot on. My attachment above was of course a British gold cup day event.
 

amerikajinda

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Madras pants.
 

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