Did you watch any of the Cheltenham Festival? What an amazing return it was for this iconic race meeting following a 2021 renewal held behind closed doors. The roar from the crowd which always greets the start of the first race on the first day of racing makes the hairs stand up on the neck of any racing fan and signals the start of 4 days of amazing racing. Even on the Wednesday of the Festival, famous for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Coral Cup and the thrilling cross-country race, an all-day downpour didn’t dent enthusiasm from the crowd. Thankfully the weather improved for the final two days and Prestbury Park was bathed in sunshine for the Gold Cup on Friday.
For some, Cheltenham is as much about the fashion as it is the horse racing, and it’s a great place to spot some brilliant country fashions, with a LOT of tweed taking centre stage. There isn’t a strict dress code for Cheltenham in the same way as there is for Royal Ascot, but it’s still the jewel in the crown for British jump racing so racegoers tend to aim for a certain look. You’ll see lots of tweed on both men and women, tartan and houndstooth checks too, and leather and suede boots to keep feet warm and dry. Cashmere and fur wraps, stoles, scarves and cuffs are a great way to prepare in case there’s a chilly wind blowing across the Gloucestershire hills.
That very real possibility of any weather, from spring showers, sleet and snow to warm sunshine, also means that hats are big news at the Festival. From fedoras and trilbies to baker boy caps, it’s more unusual to see a head without a hat than a head with a hat! Hayley is kept busy for months in the run up to the Festival making bespoke feather pins and amazing feather and hat creations for our customers to wear over the 4 days of racing. When the Festival kicks off, we’re always waiting with baited breath to be tagged into photos and see how people have styled their Hayfield hats! This year did not disappoint, and we’re delighted to share some of them with you here.
This stunning burgundy fedora is paired with a guinea fowl feather wrap which perfectly complemented the lady’s monochrome outfit. Then this divine baby blue fedora with matching ribbon and feather pin which helps to set off a chic dove grey and baby blue ensemble for this customer, while her friend has gone for a camel fedora with a tan leather band to match her boots. Then we have another guinea fowl wrap, this time paired with a classy black fedora and a longline grey wool coat and cute tartan miniskirt for some fun country style.
Another customer cut a really striking figure in a pale cream wool jacket with a contrasting camel velvet collar and fur cuffs. A camel fedora with a spray of feathers was the perfect accessory to bring the whole look together and really turn heads! And finally, a gorgeous dove grey fedora paired with a baby blue wool jacket (we just love this combination whichever way around it’s done) and a navy-on-navy fedora with a crisp white shirt. Country-inspired perfection!
