Help Me Please - Henley Regatta

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I'm going to the HR as a corporate guest.

What on earth do people wear?

I assume I need something to take me through watching boat races, standing around chatting, eating a sit down dinner etc

It might be hot, it might be gale force winds! Who can say?

What you think might work?

I'm assuming you will be in the Stewards' Enclosure so you will have to wear a knee length+ dress or skirt. I would go for a dress with a jacket.

I'm assuming so dexter.

DH and I will be guests of one of the corporate sponsors.

Is there a marquee do you know? Is it grass? I can just imagine standing on wet grass in the rain trying to look presentable and make reasonable conversation .

Unfortunately yes it is grass underfoot

I went once, dress, jacket and hat/fascinator very much the order of the day and they are strict with the hem line thing...

I thought it was awful personally and I got sunstroke so ended up vomiting behind a bin somewhere in Henley looking like a total pisshead!!

There will be a marquee, but you'll be walking on grass and it could be some distance. Rules are you must wear a skirt or dress below the knee, and hats are the norm. I'd order a lovely umbrella that goes with your outfit (I like this style) and then you can leave it in the car if the forecast is good.

Dress, jacket and wedges is your best bet, not too flashy

purple it's not our thing either TBH!!!

But the sponsor is one of DH's clients and they've invited us so...

If it's grass, I'm thinking wedges?
And a dress that will take me from day time boat watching to evening dinner dance...possibly in sunstroke temperatures, possibily in a deluge .

CMOT a brolly is a good idea!

I would wear one of those long floaty pleated skirts, silk blouse, proper panama hat, nice blazer and then either wedges or flats.

something like this, but with a smarted silky blouse

ps if I wear a hat, will I leave it on for the evening do?

this with a jacket

Your DH should also be aware that in the Stewards Enclosure men are not permitted to remover their jackets unless the temperature tops something like 25 degrees, so he should think about what kind of jacket to have (linen?).

Mind you, you may not be in the Stewards Enclosure, which tends to be members only. On the other side of the river are numerous corporate clubs and these may have their own dress codes, which may be more relaxed than the Stewards. See if you can find out exactly where you are going.

And enjoy! I used to go to Henley every year since I was a child (in the dim and distant past when they let children into the Stewards Enclosure) and have always loved it.

Are women still not allowed trousers at Henley?

You wouldn't keep the hat on at a dance. Don't wear a skirt thats too long though as it would get horrid round the hem if wet.

A proper hat, rather than a fascinator is more practical imo as it will keep the sun off and keep you cooler if hot. A fine straw in a boater or panama shape is rather vintage and understated imo

fluffy it seems more likely that we will be in the corporate tents, rather than the members enclosure...

could you rock a midi length skirt? I feel like you have to be quite small of frame to wear that length.

I've competed at Henley, but I haven't been as a guest.

I don't think you have to wear a hat, although plenty do. Imagine going to your lovely aunt's second wedding... that kind of outfit. Nice dress or skirt, but nothing to scare the horses. Don't go for any kind of heal except wedges or you'll sink into the grass.

Expect lots of braying in the steward's enclosures, overdressed people in the corporate tents, and also lots of people along the towpath actually having fun and watching the races.

When I went to HRR I seem to remember lots and lots of hats
It may have changed but as a heads up lots of hats

I love hats and fortunately I suit them...but if I have to take it off in the evening, I'm going to get serious helmet head!

If you aren't in stewards, just wear a summer dress and it's irrelevant what length it is. There are a few hats around, but most women don't wear them.

Have a lovely day. If the weathers nice it is fab drinking and eating by the river in the sunshine

If you are not in the Stewards Enclosure, the dress code is the upper end of smart. I have been a few times as a corporate guest in the Stewards Enclosure and it is a right faff. I'm 5'9" and finding a dress that doesn't show my knees is a nightmare. I don't and won't wear maxi dresses. I had the stewards chasing me all day once because my handbag kept rucking up one side of my hemline.

No need for a hat unless that's your thing; hats are in the minority in the stewards enclosure. Definitely wear sunscreen as you can get a bit burnt. Wear sensible shoes, wedges are good.