what do you wear to the races?

[CakeNinja]

Going to Goodwood in August and I'm guessing its not a jeans and flip flops affair.
If you were going, what would you wear? In need of inspiration!

Anyone?!
Ideally I'd like someone to show me what they have worn in the past to give me an idea.
I'm clueless, not girly and feel far more comfortable in gym gear than anything else!

My last races 2 weeks ago I wore white trousers with a navy and white top from next and a navy blazer. That wasn't ladies day. More of a relaxed corporate thing
My have another next Thursday and I will be wearing a navy dress with red heels. If I can get away with a repeat of white trousers though I will.

I'm going on Saturday with friends and haven't given it a thought yet, I did wear jeans last year. Depends on the dress code for the day and for the enclosure you'll be in too, which should all be on the racecourse website. For me comfort is important, one thing for certain is that I'll be in flat shoes as there is a lot of standing around and walking on grass.

Thankyou, maybe jeans will be alright after all!
We aren't going on ladies day, no idea what enclosure, will find out.
Is it usual to have below the knee and shoulders covered? I'd always have shoulders covers but most of my dresses (yes I do own one or two) are above the knee.
Not that I'm considering either of them, it's just the style I would wear.

Conflicting advice with the heels/flats!
How about wedges as a compromise?!

Whenever I've been to the races it's been flipping cold. The wind tends to whip over the course. Beware!

Goodwood? Think of a wedding but try to be comfortable at the same time. Lots of standing and walking. I think you'll feel terribly underdressed in jeans. I think a day dress or very dressy trousers/ top. I don't think you need a hat unless you want one. (It's Royal Ascot where they are quite strict about no spaghetti straps, no fascinators etc.)

OP jeans are never all right at Goodwood. Which meeting and enclosure are you going to?

Yes to it being potentially cold, the one we go to is north facing and high up, you're in the shade virtually all day and it's breezy. That was one reason I reverted back to jesns last year after getting chilly legs in a dress the year before.

Great advice about dressing for a wedding, that's the perfect piece of information.
I went to Ascot a few years ago and wore a dress but felt so uncomfortable, but there were people in fascinators everywhere?!
I have no idea what a meeting is, or what enclosures there are - a friend has organised and we just paid the money.

I'm going in August too (Glorious Goodwood on the 1st - how about you?) and will probably wear a nice pencil skirt with a silk t-shirt tucked in and nude stilettos. I don't own a hat or fascinator, but I don't know if we will be in any special enclosure yet. I love dressing up though!

I did just go on the website and there are pics of ladies in proper hats. Now wondering if I should get a cheap fascinator.

Yes I'm going on the 1st aswell!
Although hate dressing up :/

I've just seen on the website that flat shoes are recommended! But no "bare tops" whatever that means

Bare top? Nope, clueless.
Flat shoes as in trainers?

Probably not :)

Nah, thought not! Shame.
I just checked the dress code part and it says no bare chests! Well I can certainly carry out one instruction.
I think I'll wear a dress as that way I don't have to worry about choosing 2 different things - less pressure!
No fascinator or hat for me, maybe some wedges but I don't really do smart with flats.

I recommend you don't wear suede shoes. You will be walking on grass and if the grass is wet or even damp, then the shoes will be ruined. Also, wear an outfit which can be worn with or without a jacket and take the jacket with you. Racecourses are exposed and windswept, and nothing ruins a day out more than not being warm enough.
If it's hot you can always leave the jacket in the car.
Have fun - and I hope you win lots of money.

I have a few pashmina type things in a few colours, and definitely won't wear suede shoes.
I doubt I'll win lots of money, haven't a clue what doing! Bet a total of £100 at ascot over 6 races and won back about £150 so at least not a loss!
We are just going for fun although I think Dp will be more daring in his stakes

£150 back from £100 is a fabulous return! Most of us just about break even.
I see from their website that jeans are strongly discouraged actually banned!
Why don't you put this into a Google image search to give you a fair idea what people will look like? "racing at goodwood ladies dress code" and then off with you to Coast or House of Fraser or wherever.
DEFINITELY comfortable shoes and a jacket.

I think it must have been beginners luck!
I've just searched what you suggested and have come up with the winning outfit

LMAO

OP what date are you going and roughly how much were the tickets ? Not being nosey but it may help.

Classy right?!
I think we paid £80 per person which includes our transport, tickets and maybe or maybe not food. I really don't know, but think the price is right.

I'm going to guess Richmond enclosure and Glorious Goodwood festival. This is a an opportunity to dress up and wear at hat, avoid heels as lots of grass, men have to wear jacket and tie.

Oh sorry, yes its 1st August, glorious goodwood.
Hmm, I'll have a trawl through the websites and see what I can find. Thankyou :)

You need to check & see if you are going on Ladies Day as that is very dressy. Other days are more of a mix of those in dressy wedding attire who are there for the social event & the more "sensibly" dressed who are there for the racing. Footwear is important as even if you have transport that drops you at the gate so you don't have to negotiate a grass carpark, you will still find grass and gravel areas as well as tarmac.