Henley regatta - what to wear?!

[TeaDrinkingBumbleeBee]

Hi guys,

I'm going to Henley regatta on Saturday (not my sort of thing!!) And have no clue what to wear. I'm not a very dressy person, so am a bit worried. We're going to the "barn bar" not the main spectators bit so don't think it's as fancy pants.

Any ideas? I can't wear anything that goes above the thigh due to scarring so these sort of things give me major anxiety.

Thanks

I went many, many moons ago with a boyfriend who was a rower. People were very smart. No short dresses either. People wore hats as well, but I am talking 1977 here.

The Barn Bar is just a large public bar so it's not dressy at all. Just normal smart/casual is fine.

www.henleyregatta.com/about/dress-code/

"Something above the thigh" would not really be considered appropriate for Henley, although since you're in public areas that matters less. It's the enclosures that have more restrictive dress codes.

Different areas have different dress codes. Good news, barn bar is not super formal and does not seem to have a strict dress code (unlike stewards club). Have a good google. You will be on your feet a lot so wear comfortable shoes or pack flats ! Think super posh picnic, it is going to be hot so make sure you are comfortable. Dresses are usual, best to avoid trousers

Perfect link hundredmilesanhour

My DD went this week and wore a floaty dress but hers def had to be below the knee and she also needed a blazer, they were just on the banks but she def seemed to think the dress code applied

People wore hats as well, but I am talking 1977 here

Yes, there's lots of hats.

Think wedding attire but you know that the wedding breakfast might be a picnic so you need shoes that are good on grass.

I used to row so had tickets with my rowing club to Stewards
enclosure which has a strict dress code (including dresses/skirts below the knee):
www.hrr.co.uk/dress-code

So it's up to you if you want to get dressed up or not. Maybe check what your friends are doing?

Thanks guys. I think I may have to dash to a shop tomorrow as I only own two summer dresses and I think they're too casual.

@CalmConfident thanks for the tip about shoes - will definitely bring flat sandals!

Crikey looks posh

Something cool, comfy foot wear as it takes ages to walk up the river bank and something to cover up as there is not a great deal of shade.
Picnic blanket to sit on is essential.
Be prepared for some very drunk people and unless you arrive very early there won’t be a patch of grass to sit on.
Most of the rowing crowd tend to stay away on Saturday due to the crowds, you’ll find them all in Stewards on Sunday to watch the finals!

There will be people there in anything from cocktail dresses to shorts and T-shirts. If you think there is any chance of someone inviting you/giving you tickets into an enclosure (do you know any rowing types?) then I would advise a below the knee dress/skirt. Otherwise just wear what you like! A nice summer dress will fit in perfectly and is what I tend to wear with pretty flat sandals if I'm just planning on being on the bank. Don't forget a cardi/top/wrap cause it can get chilly in the evening and a brolly/sun cream depending on the forecast. I would also recommend escaping from barn bar periodically to picnic on the bank, and walk up to the start to get a different view of the racing. Have a lovely time!

@managedmis init lol that's my concern I'm the opposite of posh so am v worried!

Great advice though, thanks everyone! I'm feeling nervous about going so this helps a bit!

Not pink socks!

@ChickyDuck thanks, I didn't know we could do that so that's nice to know we won't be stuck in one place! Sounds good!

Knee length dress or longer, a wrap if you have a strapless/narrow straps, flat shoes or wedges (grass!) a sun hat - going to be sunny

I'd be OK there I think. I wouldn't speak at all, but I'd just smile and wear something fabulous

If your in the barn bar you can wear what you like. The dress code is only for the stewards. I’ve raced there a lot but a long time ago. You get a real mixture of how dressed up people are. For stewards you have to wear a skirt below the knee and people do dress up.

Floaty long dress, wedges or flats.

Whatever you want. Today I saw everything from t shirts & shorts to smart wedding type attire. Some people are there because that's where they walk there dog every day and this week happens to be Henley; other people were arriving by helicopter having no doubt spent £££ on new outfit and accessories.
The one thing I would say is that most people look pretty rather than sexy. I imagine that might change if you're going for the evening rather than the day.

My Dd went a couple of years ago when it was v warm weather and just wore a maxi dress and sandals. I saw her photos and they all just had summer dresses on (assume they were in the cheap seats!)

The barn bar just wear what you like there is no dress code.

Something loose and floaty might be nice on the heat but it IS just a made up pub with a big lawn.

Oh and I'd leave before it gets too late. Can be a bit rough/drunken

For barn bar anything goes. No dress code. So flip flops, shorts and a t shirt would be fine and there will be people in that. More common would be smart flats or wedges with a knee length dress.

I was there yesterday - although in stewards rather than the barn bar.
I saw lots of people in midi and maxi dresses, and all shoes from wedges to flip flops.
It was HOT and the shade quickly gets crowded so definitely sun cream - and I saw 10+ people carrying Victorian style parasols!

It is on grass so no pointy heels as you'll get stuck.

From what I saw on the way in and out, anything goes outside of stewards - even people who looked like they were headed of the beach!

Oh and don't worry about a hat. In stewards it was 50/50 and outside of that hats were rare.
I won't take one next time unless it's for sunblocking purposes!

Fantastic advice everyone, thank you! Feeling a lot less anxious about it.

I will bring a big straw hat and the factor 50 for sure!

Thanks everyone!