What To Wear This Jump Racing Season
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13 minutes ago
Up your winter (racing) wardrobe
We might be hurtling towards the finish line that is 2025 – but for equestrian fans, it’s only the beginning of another packed jumps season. You’ll be able to spot racegoers up and down the UK dressed in their best tweeds, check and tartans (as well as a roll of velvet or two), as they prepare for a (slightly chillier) day at the races. If it’s your first time going – or you’re just looking for some fresh styling tips – we’ve got just the thing. Here’s what to wear this jump racing season, according to a stylist.
Jump Racing Season: A Style Guide
Sitting on the flip side of the flat racing season – which takes the spotlight throughout the summer – jumps season takes hold over the autumn and winter months, with events starting in October and extending all the way to April.
And despite hot, sunny weather not being a guarantee, winter racing has proven to be increasingly popular year after year – especially when it comes to events like Howden Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot Racecourse.
(c) Georgina Preston
The team at Ascot in particular has noticed a real shift in attitudes towards jumps season. Alexandra Bertram, the racecourse’s Brand and Creative Lead, explains that people are treating the occasion similarly to its summer counterpart – aka, a grand day out. ‘As we look ahead to our Howden Christmas Racing Weekend in December, it’s clear that racegoers are seeking a more elevated experience,’ she tells C&TH. ‘The festive season offers the perfect excuse to dress up, and this year we’re seeing fashion evolve to balance both excitement and practicality.
‘Layering beloved wardrobe favourites with playful new pieces is becoming the go-to look for enjoying the thrill of jumps racing while embracing winter in style.’
What Do People Wear?
So, how do racegoers dress up for jump season? First off, you’ll find people wearing a lot more layers. But banish the thought of lumpy knits and shapeless coats; the racecourse is still a stage for high fashion. ‘Winter event dressing is arguably even more exciting than summer,’ agrees stylist and fashion writer Alice Hare. ‘With the need for layers comes an inherent drama that the “throw on a dress and go” nature of summer occasionwear doesn’t always engender.’
(c) Georgina Preston
And Hare would certainly know – as the stylist behind the 2025 Jump Season Lookbook for Ascot, it’s safe to say she knows a thing or two about making even the winteriest of wardrobes feel chic. Think rich textures, classic prints (tartan is always a win) and jewel-toned hues. ‘The fabrics are more opulent – bouclé and velvets – the colours richer,’ she agrees.
‘I think people are becoming braver and bolder in their choices and stepping away from head-to-toe tweed, which was until recently the unspoken uniform of jumps season,’ Hare continues. ‘I’m not saying jumps season is the place for acid brights by any means, but it’s been wonderful to see more rich jewel tones and reds in people’s looks as opposed to just traditional earthy tones.’
Venues like Ascot Racecourse are also pushing racegoers to rethink how they shop (or rather, don’t shop). The venue has threaded sustainable messaging through its style guides for several years now, putting the spotlight on lookbook outfits that pull on vintage, preloved and rental finds.
‘We’re also delighted to see a continued shift towards sustainably-minded style,’ notes Bertram. ‘Reimagining summer favourites for winter and re-wearing treasured pieces – often handed down through generations – not only adds personal flair to the day but also celebrates heritage and the lasting value of timeless fashion. It’s a trend that feels perfectly in tune with a festive raceday: elevated, meaningful and joyfully stylish.’
But, as indicated by the mention of layers earlier, you’ll want an outfit with a few sensible details to get you through the day. ‘There is a need for practicality (hello, great British weather) that I think can be intimidating,’ admits Hare. ‘I’ll often hear questions like: does my coat match my dress? Is my coat the right length for my dress? What on earth do I wear under a suit? But I hope the lookbook shows that style and practicality are entirely congruent.’
(c) Georgina Preston
A Stylist’s Top Tips
Below, stylist Alice Hare shares her top tips for jump season dressing:
Check Your Coat
‘If you’re wearing a coat over a dress, the hem of your coat should be the same length or longer than that of your dress,’ the stylist emphasises. ‘A look immediately loses its luxe factor when the coat is shorter in length than the dress underneath.’
Be Firm On Thermal
Thermals are your best friend, says Hare. ‘Intimissimi does a wonderful thermal that’s superfine cashmere, so it’s warm but doesn’t add bulk or show under your outfit.’
Choose Your Hat Wisely
Don’t mix up summer and winter textures, advises Hare. ‘Avoid rattan or similar straw-like fabrics when it comes to millinery – they are the reserve of summer,’ she emphasises. ‘Felts are more suited to winter event dressing.’
Block It Out
Don’t be tempted by a thin stiletto – instead, go for something a little chunkier. ‘Block heels, for example, mean you won’t sink in the mud,’ adds Hare.
Get A Handle On Your Accessories
‘Opt for a bag with a top handle you can dangle from your wrist means,’ advises Hare. ‘This means you avoid the dreaded clutch bag/drink/race card/canapé juggle!’
Fall Back On Cohesive Colours
And lastly, a foolproof tip: ‘If in doubt, match your hat to your bag to your shoes colour-wise,’ says Hare. This will bring immediate cohesion to your look.’
