And they’re off — the racing season is now fully underway, and as the Cheltenham Festival makes the Cotswolds buzz again, murmurs are that 2024 is set to be very daringly dressed.
Sure, feathered trilbies will be rife no matter the weather, but the sprint this year will be towards making a statement. Royal Ascot set the tone with their appointment of London-based fashion designer Daniel W. Fletcher as their first ever “creative director,” to help guide guest’s outfits, on Friday.
“I wanted to take a fresh approach to how people dress at the races. The dress code for Royal Ascot remains unchanged but I wanted to explore what you could do within them to be the most creative,” he said.
His new Royal Ascot lookbook, split up to inspire attendees in every enclosure, sees women wear silk skirts and ties, and boys in big-shouldered, Eighties style suiting. “It’s playful, and I also tried to bring in brands you would not expect to see at Royal Ascot — I’ve spotlighted a bunch of my classmates from Central Saint Martins, including Stefan Cooke, Chopova Lowena, WED Studios and Dilara FındıkoÄlu. I wanted to bring brands you wouldn't traditionally see at Ascot, but are important for British fashion,” he says. To take home the prize money, commit to the bold, is his takeaway. “Let's seize the opportunity to be brave,” he says.
There are still a few months to go before people pick which garish gown (with sleeves an inch or wider, of course) they will wear to Ascot, but the country set have flocked in their droves for Cheltenham this week. While champion hurdler Constitution Hill will not make an appearance, you can be sure a flurry of Jade Holland Cooper tartan trench coats still will.
The dress coat is a Festival staple because, says ITV Racing presenter Francesca Cumani, “you’re so limited by the weather — a long coat is elegant and you can add a great belt to accentuate the waist and add a bit of interest. It’s about being creative whilst not freezing,” she says. As for suggestions: “Catherine Walker, Laura Green, Pip Howeson, The Fold, Eponine, Cleo Prickett, Suzannah London, Claire Mischevani and Alison Rodger all make beautiful dress coats — I’d also always recommend looking in charity shops and vintage boutiques for cheaper options,” she says. For millinery, while there is no obligation to wear hats, "I love a beret in the winter — easy to wear and it won’t get blown off," she says.
As for the final touch, look no further than Cheltenham fanatic Princess Anne — a whacking great pair of cycling sunglasses makes everything look better.
Royal Ascot’s 2024 lookbook by Daniel W. Fletcher:
