Summer brings a whole host of reasons to get suited and booted, especially when it comes to a day at the races! Is there anything better than a whole day of racing and enjoying the buzz of the racecourse while (hopefully) enjoying the Great British summer time? At Pocket Watch, we love seeing our pocket watches worn with pride at race days across the country. Thanks to the resurgence in vintage fashion, these watches are the ideal accessory, especially if you’re splashing out on a classic three-piece suit for the occasion.
Read on for the ultimate guide to race day 2019 fashion, from the events you can’t miss to how to win big in the style stakes!
What to wear at the races
What you wear to the races depends on where you’re going to be. Some stands and areas require you to follow a strict dress code, so it is vital that you check this before you arrive. If you’re not required to go for a full ‘top and tails’ outfit, a general rule of thumb is to wear what you would to a wedding. A three-piece suit is perfect for the races and with plenty of ways to style it in your own way, you can show your personality while also adhering to the dress code.
Our favourite race day suit styles
Monochrome is a great option as it’s a classic that can also be updated. If you don’t fancy going for black/white, opt for a grey suit with white and black accessories for a cool sartorial impact. A flash of colour can also be added through a tie or pocket square if you’re feeling bold!\
Tweed was practically made for days at the races! To avoid looking like a certain bedraggled race day commentator, opt for a slim fit tweed suit in contemporary colours such as burgundy, navy or green.
Make sure your footwear is just as suave as your suit with classic brogues, monk straps or Oxfords in black, dark brown or deep burgundy. After all, ‘the shoes maketh the man’
Suit, jacket & chain
It wouldn’t be a Pocket Watch blog without us telling you how to style your favourite timepiece with your suit! A pocket watch is the perfect finishing touch to a race day outfit and whether you opt for a classic silver or gold style, or you prefer modern rose gold or two-tone pocket watch, there are plenty of options to go round.
For a traditional look, place the watch in your waistcoat pocket, passing the pocket watch chain through a buttonhole and draping in the opposite pocket. For an extra splash of style, you can loop the chain around a button after passing through the buttonhole, ideal if you have a decorative chain that you want to show off.
UK race day schedule 2019
| Flat / Jump | Month | No. Days | Event Name | Racecourse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat | July | 2 | Coral Eclipse | Sandown Pk |
| Flat | July | 3 | July Festival | Newmarket |
| Mix | July | 4 | Killarney July Festival | Killarney |
| Flat | July | 2 | King George Weekend | Ascot |
| Jump | Jul/Aug | 7 | Galway Summer Festival | Galway |
| Flat | Jul/Aug | 5 | Glorious Goodwood | Goodwood |
| Flat | August | 4 | Ebor Festival | York |
| Flat | Sept | 3 | Betfred Sprint Cup Festival | Haydock Park |
| Mix | Sept | 7 | Listowel Harvest Festival | Listowel |
| Flat | Sept | 4 | St Leger Festival | Doncaster |
| Flat | Sept | 3 | Ayr Gold Cup Meeting | Ayr |
| Flat | Sept | 3 | Cambridgeshire Meeting | Newmarket |
| Flat | Oct | 1 | Future Champions Day | Newmarket |
| Flat | Oct | 1 | British Champions Day | Ascot |
| Flat | Oct | 2 | Racing Post Trophy | Doncaster |
| Jump | Nov | 3 | The Open | Cheltenham |
| Jump | Nov | 3 | Bet365 Hennessy Festival | Newbury |
| Jump | Dec | 2 | Tingle Creek Xmas Festival | Sandown Park |
| Jump | Dec | 2 | Winter Festival | Kempton Park |
| Jump | Dec | 1 | Welsh Grand National | Chepstow |
Horse racing pocket watch
As well as our fantastic array of modern and traditional pocket watches, we also have a collection of horse racing pocket watches that are ideal for all racing fans out there! If you know someone who loves a flutter or you want to update your current timepiece collection, these beautifully designed pocket watches are a great choice.
Available in both a full-hunter and a double-hunter style, these Woodford pocket watches feature an intricate horse racing design and mechanical movement.
