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Jeans were first banned from racecourses because it was seen as the uniform of the lout. Nowadays Jeans are often a uniform of the retired.
Once upon a time a lout could not afford a suit, therefore a suit was the racecourse uniform. So nowadays there is no point in a dress code.
Uniform helps keep kids in line, it does not work with racegoers. A suit does not stop the irresponsible drinking etc. As you can see inside and outside the members bar at Goodwood.
Value Is EverythingI’m afraid this argument that there are enclosures for people if they want to wear jeans just doesn’t wash.
My local course is Newmarket, why should I not be allowed to stand anywhere near the finish at these courses just because I am not wearing smart trousers?
I find the July course the most frustrating, when I take my kids they like to look at the horses before the race, but they quickly become tired of the massive trek back from the parade ring to our enclosure to watch the race. Last time my 8 year old son said to me "why can’t we just walk through there daddy?" meaning the posh enclosure, rather than having to walk all the way round it.
I didn’t have a good answer to give him.
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The answer to your child has absolutely nothing at all to do with Dress Code. It is something along the lines of "The people in there are richer than we are, and have paid more for their tickets, so they don’t have to walk as far. But we see the horses just as well as they do."
Or did you say "Because the well-heeled, smartly attired nobs in there would sneer and spit at us proles if we were allowed anywhere near them"? I am sure you did not!
Really, this indignation over a requirement to look reasonably smart at a public gathering seems self-indulgent (and to my mind slightly mean-spirited) in a world where we’ve got so many other, serious problems to deal with.
Hello all,
I’m taking the wife to Sandown Park on the 23rd April (Bet365 Gold Cup) and I was wondering if anyone has been before and has any suggestions with the dress-code? We are in the Premier Enclosure.
We’ve been to Epsom before during Derby week, where I wore a suit and the Wife wore her best frock. So we were wondering, is it more of the same at Sandown or is the dress-code a bit more relaxed?
Any input is appreciated.
Many Thanks
I’m going too! But we’ll be in the cheap seats
Sandowns pretty chilled really, just generally steer clear of jeans and footy shirts etc, no need to be whacking out the sunday best, but weather-conscious smart-casual should be fine.
Official line:
The dress code for the Premier Enclosure is smart/casual. Smart jeans are permitted but must not be ripped or torn. Fancy dress and sportswear including non tailored shorts, football and rugby shirts and trainers are not permitted.
In reality I’d wear a jacket and tie to Sandownn if going in the Premier Enclosure. Much more relaxed elsewhere.
It’s 2012 – but most racecourses still stick to the idea that you need to control what people wear when they turn up at your venue.
Is the idea of imposing a dress code to maintain some arbitrary standard simply outdated and downright old-fashioned in this day and age?
OR.. does the maintenance of a standard add to the occasion, making it a more enjoyable day out?
To use a racing cliché – horses for courses.
For a gaff tracks no there is probably no need for a dress code but for the top tracks why not?
Why not have an enclosure with minimum standards, where people can pay a premium if they wish? As long as there is an alternative with a more relaxed dress code?
It is called choice and yes it does add to the occasion.
When I went to the Canadian International in Woodbine, their second biggest meet of the year and very far from my definition of a gaff track, I wore t-shirt and jeans, as did many others there, entry was free and a good time was had by all. Did it make any difference to my enjoyment of the racing that the people sitting beside me in the restaurant were not wearing suits with black shoes? Of course not, I went to enjoy the racing not for a fashion show.
If I want to go to a jump meeting in Ascot I have to dress to their extremely objective idea of good dress. And to top it off I would have to pay £50 to them into the bargain.
And they wonder why British racing is dying a death and struggling to attract new customers.
Why should I be discriminated against because I don’t like wearing ties?
I don’t see anything wrong if you make an effort to look smart in clothes you feel comfortable in yourself.
Funny how when the word ‘jeans’ or ‘denim’ is mentioned people get an image in their heads straight away. I’ve got jeans that would look awful in an enclosure where people are dressed smartly, but would look ok in a bookies on a Saturday afternoon or in the local supermarket. I’ve also got jeans, when worn with shoes and a shirt look every bit as smart as trousers.
The post by jonibake on the other thread basically saying because you are dressed in a jacket and tie you are going to be a much more pleasent and better mannered person than someone wearing jeans is quite simply insulting! I find it a lot more the other way round in all honesty!!
Why should I be discriminated against because I don’t like wearing ties?
I don’t see anything wrong if you make an effort to look smart in clothes you feel comfortable in yourself.
Funny how when the word ‘jeans’ or ‘denim’ is mentioned people get an image in their heads straight away. I’ve got jeans that would look awful in an enclosure where people are dressed smartly, but would look ok in a bookies on a Saturday afternoon or in the local supermarket. I’ve also got jeans, when worn with shoes and a shirt look every bit as smart as trousers.
The post by jonibake on the other thread basically saying because you are dressed in a jacket and tie you are going to be a much more pleasent and better mannered person than someone wearing jeans is quite simply insulting! I find it a lot more the other way round in all honesty!!
Then you are very easily insulted especially as I said no such thing.
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i don’t go to racecourses that often, but am not sure whether id agree or disagree with the dress code dispute at ascot. ive read some peoples comments elsewhere that lots of chavs etc are one of the reasons because of this… purely to stop the dickheads. do these kind of people go to these meetings?
wasn’t there a fight thingy that broke out a while ago at a good meeting? i cant remember where it was but i can’t recall those being chavs or poorly dressed individuals.
i go to a lot of race meetings in ireland and the good thing here there does not seem to be any dress code
i have been to the punchestown festival every year i wear jeans and trainers and no one bats a eye lid people here go to a track to watch the horses and races and not to bother what people are wearing ( except for one meeting the galway festival and its that packed you cant move anyway hee hee ) ascot such be glad people are comming through the gates in these hard times not trying to p**s people off oh whilst i am on about this ascot because you wear a suit doesnt mean you cant be a scum bag !! its these kind of stupid things that stop new people comming to try the racesTo use a racing cliché – horses for courses.
For a gaff tracks no there is probably no need for a dress code but for the top tracks why not?
Why not have an enclosure with minimum standards, where people can pay a premium if they wish? As long as there is an alternative with a more relaxed dress code?
It is called choice and yes it does add to the occasion.
Pass the sickbag! Snobbery lives! The use of the terms gaff and top says it all.
Standards of behaviour are of far more concern to me than standards of dress. Only the very foolish would equate behaviour with dress. When I was a teacher there were frequent arguments about school uniform but the difference it made in terms of what happened in the classroom was zero, from my experience.
I don’t wear a tie, not through choice but as the result of an operation to treat throat cancer. I am not prepared to get into an argument with some course staff as to why I can’t meet the code.It is not a matter of choice!
Have to dress smartly, can’t drink beer while in the stands, costs an arm and a leg for bad food, high entry costs.
I never go to racecourses for precisely these reasons. Just ridiculous really.
Newbury exercises a bit of common sense with their dress code if you’re a member, but otherwise the other 3 still apply.
No doubt in my mind about this at all. If you are going into the members you show respect and dress accordingly whether it’s Ascot or Perth. On average a nice shirt and tie or a smart polo but not scruffy designer jeans and a "SH!T HAPPENS" T shirt. Keep them for the trendy pub round the corner where they belong
Just because it is 2012 doesn’t mean we can all become disrespectful and kick tradition in the face. It is only good manners to dress in a manner that befits the event. Not go in there dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow yielding a sword in one hand and a bottle of rum in the other
If you’re out with the mates and out for a hoot the last place you’d want to be is in the members enclose with it’s restrictions.
No one should even attempt to stop you going into the public stands dressed however you like and should encourage you to have a ball.
Mos members wouldn’t give a hoot if you crossed dressed as it doesn’t affect them one bit.
If punters and management stick to these guidlenes I suggest then there’s plenty room for everyone without offending anyone.
i have been to the punchestown festival every year i wear jeans and trainers and no one bats a eye lid people here go to a track to watch the horses and races and not to bother what people are wearing ( except for one meeting the galway festival and its that packed you cant move anyway hee hee ) ascot such be glad people are comming through the gates in these hard times not trying to p**s people off oh whilst i am on about this ascot because you wear a suit doesnt mean you cant be a scum bag !! its these kind of stupid things that stop new people comming to try the races
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