What is the dress code for Cheltenham Festival? | The Sun
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL has seen a wide array of fancy outfits over the years.
For more than 200 years, punters have been instructed to wear traditional formal dress, with elaborate get-ups a common sight at racetracks like Cheltenham.
The previous dress code advised men to wear suits and women to wear cocktail dresses, with no jeans or trainers allowed.
However, the rules caused controversy last year when two "well dressed" women were refused entry at Sandown's Premier enclosure because they were wearing white trainers.
The Jockey Club, which runs 15 racecourses including Cheltenham, has decided to change the policy in a ground-breaking move to make racing more "accessible and inclusive".
It means the familiar sight of punters arriving suited and booted may become a thing of the past.
What is the dress code for Cheltenham Festival?
The dress code for Cheltenham Festival this year is whatever makes people feel "comfortable and confident", the Jockey Club has said.
This means that spectators will be allowed to wear whatever they like at the event, including jeans and even tracksuits.
However, offensive fancy dress, offensive clothing of any kind and replica sports shirts are still banned.
What is different about the Cheltenham Festival dress code in 2023?
For 2023, racegoers will no longer have to wear formal dress at Cheltenham Festival. Punters can wear tracksuits and flip-flops rather than being restricted to three-piece suits and high heels.
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Whilst spectators wont be discouraged from dressing smartly if they want to, they will no longer be restricted from certain enclosures based on what they're wearing.
The Jockey Club has said the old dress code had been "rather outdated in the 21st Century", and wants spectators to be comfortable in the changeable British weather.
Can I wear jeans or trainers at Cheltenham Festival?
Jeans and trainers can now be worn at the racecourse, along with jogging bottoms, shorts and jumpers- as long as they are not offensive.
One man tested the limits by wearing a dayglo top, running shorts and trainers.
Sun man Joe Hadden was cheered by the 60,000 strong crowd of racegoers as he paraded through the Guinness Village looking for a pint.
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