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Original poster

Henley Steward's Enclosure - what do they mean by below the knee

45 replies

whoneedssleepanyway · 02/05/2013 10:54

DH and I have been invited to join some friends at Henley in the Stewards Enclosure. I have never been. My friend said the dress code was "below the knee dress or skirt" for ladies...how strict is this? Does on the knee count? I don't think I possess anything I would say is below the knee, none of the summer dresses I own are short but I would say they are more on the knee than below it IYKWIM.

OP posts:
TSSDNCOP · 02/05/2013 11:06

like this

Yes, Henley are strict on this.

TSSDNCOP · 02/05/2013 11:12

dress code

Original poster
whoneedssleepanyway · 02/05/2013 11:15

Thanks TSSDNCOP, so you think the Coast dress "qualifies" as I would describe that on the knee and have several dresses that are that length.

I the dress code picture the dress is almost mid calf length...

OP posts:
mirai · 02/05/2013 11:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
whoneedssleepanyway · 02/05/2013 11:20

Sorry...whoops should have searched first.

The people you see turned away though Mirai are they wearing things that are exposing the whole knee or does something like that picture meet the rules?

OP posts:
Eve · 02/05/2013 11:21

they are very strict.

Its lovely though, be prepared to drink lots of champagne.

I haven't been for years since I competed there. It was a bit special being a competitor so make sure to try and watch some of the rowing as its a big deal to qualify to compete there.

TSSDNCOP · 02/05/2013 11:24

Who sorry I couldn't see her knees. On a normal uman that dress is well below the knee.

Hopefully · 02/05/2013 11:26

Shock Women are not allowed to wear trousers of any description. For some reason that I can't quite identify that really offends me.

teacher123 · 02/05/2013 13:51

Yes they are very strict. No knee showing. Every year they turn people away. Make sure you drink lots of pimms and champagne, it is great fun!

Crutchlow35 · 02/05/2013 18:19

It is the hat comment that gets my Hmm

HullMum · 02/05/2013 18:21

it's incredibly sexist. that's why it offends you

Sleepwhenidie · 02/05/2013 18:47

To be fair I would put money on them turning away a bloke in a dress too....

Sleepwhenidie · 02/05/2013 18:47

Why does the hat comment bother you crutch?Confused

Eve · 03/05/2013 07:31

There is a male dress code as well, unless they turn up suitably attired they get turned away as well. Its not just ladies who get turned away.

Stewards is a very elegant event and I think it's lovely that they insist on a certain code.

Nehru · 03/05/2013 07:33

OH MY GOD

this was me last year

  1. It was quite dull henley you know - we thought "meh"
  2. its full of UTTER NOB ENDS. I dont know where these people come from
  3. If you are 5' 7 as I am its imPOSSIBLE to find stuff.

and yes they are strict. In the end I went for a tube maxi skirt from phase eight

Nehru · 03/05/2013 07:34

we had tickets to the club thing
GOD think 1980s golf club with all the associated snobbery. the Philanderer clib or some such nonsense.

WE thought all the people OUT of the enclosures were having far more fun.

Yakare · 03/05/2013 07:34

Just buy a dress that's below the knee. What's the problem?

Nehru · 03/05/2013 07:36

its pretty, but its ENgland at its WORST, snobbery and stupid dress codes that defy the fact you are in a field in blazing sunshine.
PLus the rowing - every single race ONE person was about 2 miles ahead of the others

yawn

Nehru · 03/05/2013 07:38

Yakare - its quite hard to do that if you are tall. OR want to look like a Tory Party wife

hedgefund · 03/05/2013 07:42

all the women should go in cheapo primark maxi dresses

any excuse to dress up and get pissed, it's just not laughed at as its the upper classes doing it

Yakare · 03/05/2013 07:42

Yes I know that. But if you don't object to this type of thing (and the OP obviously doesn't or she wouldn't consider going) then you have to abide by the rules. And the rules say you have to look like a Tory wife. And of course most women there will be Tory wives. Not women who care about looking stylish. So bite the bullet, buy the mid calf dress and shut up, would be my advice. If you care about S&B, you won't be going to Henley.

Abra1d · 03/05/2013 07:46

I went to the Stewards' Enclosure at Henley and I thought it was lovely. I am tall5'8"and the summer we went it was hard to find anything to cover my knees. I had a slightly stretchy fabric in my dress, which came from Hobbs, and just hoiked it down every time we went in and out to be sure it covered the knees. It may have ridden up a little bit as we walked around but nobody stopped me or said anything. They could probably tell that I was doing my utmost to keep the knees covered.

Henley is great. The rowing is really exciting. I loved it. Don't listen to people who tell you otherwise. I'd go again in a shot.

LadyIsabellaWrotham · 03/05/2013 07:55

Logically flawed Yakare. Just because the OP fancies champagne in the sunshine doesn't mean she's not a dedicated follower of fashion.

But I agree that she needs to grit her teeth and get a Primark maxi dress. If the F1 paddock had a dress code of double denim and Crocs and I had an invite then that's what I'd be wearing.

Bunbaker · 03/05/2013 08:07

I went in 1977 and wore a calf length cheesecloth dress (yes I know) and a big straw hat. I looked a bit hippyish, but my clothes ticked the dress code boxes. We had a blast and got drunk on Pimms.

I am 5'7" and don't find it difficult to find longer dresses BTW.

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