Chester Races is under starter’s orders for the 2024 season. Wondering what to wear? Here’s a style guide to looking like a winner with ideas from the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet and head-turning jewellery from Boodles.
Fashion experts at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet chose outfits with a range of prices from the array of brands housed at the outlet.
Each item has been chosen considering the latest fashion trends, the variety of Chester Racecourse enclosures and offerings, and comfort on a race day.
Beki Gregory, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet stylist, said: ‘From power suiting to sunshine yellow, we’ve combined our luxury brands to get you ready for race day.
This season we’ll see a softer summer palette with pink hues, warming tones and neutral accessories.
‘Playful proportions featured in many tailoring looks on the catwalks, and blazers with large lapels and structured shoulders, or wide-leg trousers look stylish and on-trend. Brands such as Reiss, Suits Direct or Pinko are perfect for a top-to-toe look.
‘Fabulous feminine floral dresses from All Saints and Ted Baker look cool on summer days and adding elegant accessories such as a fascinator or oversized sunglasses is an effortless way to add a glow-up to any outfit.’
Established more than two centuries ago, Boodles is the British fine jeweller with individual personality and a committed focus to achieving excellence in all facets of design, craftsmanship and service. Steered by six generations of the same family since 1798, Boodles has London stores in Bond Street, Harrods, Sloane Street, Royal Exchange and The Savoy, as well as Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Dublin.
All Boodles jewellery is designed in Britain and made by master craftsmen who combine unparalleled technical precision with creative flair. Racing has been a long-standing passion of Boodles, with the jeweller taking on the title sponsorship of the Chester Racecourse May Festival for the past 11 seasons.
THE LUXURY EDIT
MEN
Blazer: SuitsDirect £125-£105*
Trousers: Suits Direct £74-£64
Waistcoat: Suits Direct £74-£64
Shirt: Reiss £52
Tie: Suits Direct £20-£15
Pocket Square: Suits Direct £10-£7.50
Shoes: Suits Direct £120-£89
WOMEN
Dress: All Saints £175
Shoes: Michael Kors £179-£49
Bag: Michael Kors £395-£259
Fascinator: Monsoon £49-£34.30
ACCESSORIES
1. Bag by Michael Kors
2. Boodles sapphire, aquamarine and diamond Beach bracelet, £11,600 with peridot Florentine ring, £13,500
3. Boodles Beach necklace with aquamarines, sapphires and diamonds, £11,600
*Prices show the RRP and the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet stores’ reduction
THE RELAXED EDIT
MEN
Blazer: Reiss £198
Trousers: Moss £59.95-£49.95
Polo shirt: Ted Baker £95-£65
Shoes: Dune £110-£75
WOMEN
Dress: Reiss £118
Shoes: Coach £195-£129
Sunglasses: Coach £156-£109
Bag: Coach £150-£69
ACCESSORIES
1: Boodles Florentine aquamarine ring, £6,000
2: Boodles Beach design necklace with brilliant cut diamonds, £16,300
THE TAILORING EDIT
MEN
Blazer: Moss £229-£189
Trousers: Moss £80-£70
Waistcoat: Moss £80-£70
Shirt: Moss £49.95-£39.95
Tie: Moss £29.95-£24.95
Shoes: Moss £69.95-£59.95
WOMEN
Blazer: Pinko £586-£387
Trousers: Pinko £369-£258
Cami: Reiss £56
Shoes: Russell & Bromley £295-£75
Fascinator: Monsoon £37.50-£26.25
Bag: Kate Spade £156-£109
ACCESSORIES
1. Boodles Over the Moon diamond, midnight blue enamel and platinum
pendant, £22,100
2. Boodles Over the Moon diamond, midnight blue enamel and platinum bangle, £50,400
THE COLOUR POP EDIT
MEN
Blazer: Moss £219-£189
Trousers: Moss £130-£90
Shirt: Paul Smith £225-£99
Tie: Moss £19.95-£14.95
WOMEN
Dress: Ted Baker £225-£155
Fascinator: Monsoon £55-£16.50
Bag: Carvela £99-£79
ACCESSORIES
1: Boodles classic brilliant-cut diamond earrings, £15,000
Photography: Courtney Hobbs, Collective Digital
MUA: Llio Fflur Jones-Evans
Hair: Isabella Senior
Stylist: Beki Gregory, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
WHEN TO SHOW YOUR RACING COLOURS
CHESTER RACES THE BOODLES MAY FESTIVAL
May 8 to Friday, May 10
Three consecutive race meetings – Trials Day, Ladies Day and Chester Cup Day. Ladies Day is a chance for guests to show off the latest trends, and Trials Day and Chester Cup Day are favourites with racing enthusiasts with the Chester Vase used as a trial for the Epsom Derby and the Chester Cup race identifying jockeys and racehorses destined for success. This year marks 200 years of the iconic Chester Cup. While the May Festival is a pinnacle of racing at Chester, there are also 12 other fixtures with thrilling flat racing and exciting entertainment.
ROMAN DAY
May 25
A family-fixture celebration of Chester’s rich heritage with racing and Roman-themed entertainment. This year the course has teamed up with the city’s Deva Fest to bring an array of exciting activities and performances to the racecourse.
THE FRIDAY SOCIAL
June 14
The Friday Social is an opportunity to get friends together to celebrate the end of the week and the start of the weekend in style. Racing on a Friday takes on a different atmosphere when racegoers can enjoy a more relaxed vibe while watching the action.
EDINBURGH GIN SUMMER SATURDAY
June 15
The first Summer Saturday of the season. Sponsored by Edinburgh Gin, racegoers can enjoy a G&T while watching horses thunder around the track to the soundtrack of summer sounds.
MATTHEW CLARK SUMMER STYLE RACE DAY
June 29
At the Summer Style Race Day, the style stakes are just as important as the racing stakes, with a fiercely fought best-dressed competition where guests have the opportunity to win an array of prizes.
IBIZA CLASSICS EVENING
July 12
Move to the rhythm of racing and summer beats at the Ibiza Classics Evening. The first fixture of the Summer Music Weekend sees Ibiza in Symphony take to the stage after the racing. Racegoers can dance the night away to Ibiza anthems played live by an orchestra, against the backdrop of the historic racecourse.
SOUL SUNSET RACING FEATURING CRAIG CHARLES DJ SET
July 13
The second day of music weekend brings Craig Charles to the racecourse with this renowned Funk & Soul DJ set.
MIDSUMMER MEETING
July 27
The Midsummer Meeting is a chance for guests to soak up the atmosphere, cheering their horse home.
FAMILY FUN DAY
August 4
Family Fun Day returns to the Roodee. This race day has the community at its heart. As well as the racing, the Open Course will be transformed into a hive of activity and entertainment. Everything is included in the entry price (even with the lowest-priced Roodee ticket).
POWELLS JEWELLERY LADIES DAY
August 31
Ladies Day is the ultimate style day out at Chester Racecourse, with racegoers competing for an incredible best-dressed competition. The day ends with an after-racing music act (to be announced).
AUTUMN RACING FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
September 13 &14
Racegoers have the best of both worlds with farmers’ markets, local brewers and independent producers joining forces with all the fun of a race day at Chester.
OKTOBERFEST SEASON FINALE
September 21
Oktoberfest returns to Chester Racecourse after a successful launch last year. Racegoers can experience the very best of racing alongside enjoying a Bavarian-themed party on the pavilion lawn at the final fixture of the year, before the gates close until 2025..
chester-races.com /race-days/fixtures
