What to Wear at the Races

Could you be The Curragh’s best dressed in 2021?

We are going virtual and all of Ireland are invited to take part! Take a look at the virtual best dressed competition days that you can get involved in for 2021.

Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival - Saturday 22nd May 2021

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival - Saturday 26th June 2021

Juddmonte Irish Oaks Festival - Saturday 17th July 2021

Although it is possible that our festivals may take place behind closed doors or with limited capacity in 2021 and you may not be able to join us in person for the esteemed Style Awards, we’re delighted to announce that you can still enter our virtual contest. Instead of dressing up and having a great day out, we want you to dress up and have a great day in.

A panel of fashion industry judges will select the winners. The handful of stellar prizes includes tickets to next year's Festivals, Tipperary Crystal voucher (22nd May) and magnums of Taittinger.

Details of how virtual racegoers can submit pictures of their outfits for consideration in our best-dressed awards will be coming soon. Sign up to our our newsletter to find out first.

Dress Code at the Curragh Racecourse

*As per Government guidelines on Covid-19, racing remains behind closed doors but we hope to welcome you back soon to let your style shine and for you to enjoy the chance to dress up.

There is no formal dress code at The Curragh racecourse. Style days combine great racing & fashion with some fantastic prizes available for ladies and gentlemen. As well as high style, you can guarantee to experience first-class racing.

Style competitions celebrate the age-old tradition of trackside style and celebrate modern trends, exuberant millinery and head-to-toe style and grooming. The Curragh has continued to evolve its style competitions to see them become highly anticipated events on the fashion social calendars for ladies and gentlemen.

Gentlemen

There is no formal dress code in The Curragh racecourse but we recommend smart dress befitting of the occassion. Gentlemen usually wear a jacket with a collared shirt and tie but it is not compulsory wear ties or jackets. Smart casual is good and is the norm on most days. We encourage smart dress so feel free to dress up and enjoy the occasion.

For gentlemen, racewear may include:

• Hats
• Suits and tie
• Jackets and trousers or tailored shorts to the knee

What to wear - Ladies

If you're coming racing, get excited!  Racing & fashion go hand-in-hand, offering you one of the best opportunities to get dressed up and make the most of an occasion like no other. Ladies generally like to dress smart for the occassion. Whilst there is no formal dress code for ladies at The Curragh racecourse, it is advisable to dress accordingly for the occasion and the weather. Most people will be in raceday attire, i.e. suits and dresses with headpieces on major days.

• Pratical footwear - Sensible shoes need not be boring. Go for a thicker, block heel which stays on your foot without any effort. Whilst there is ample seating around The Curragh enclosure, race days include a lot of standing and some inevitable wandering between the parade ring, the track and hospitality areas.
• Statement sunglasses - Great for going incognito, and for protecting your eyes from the sun’s rays, showy sunnies epitomise race day fashion.
• Layer up - It’s easy to forego a jacket when daydreaming about a super summery day on the track, but when the sun goes down or the Irish weather takes a turn, you’ll regret not bringing a warmer layer. There is a cloakroom in the information booth in The Champion's Hall where you can leave an extra layer.
• Clutch vs Shoulder Purse - Clutches are chic and often the perfect way to polish a classic race day outfit, but when you’re juggling a glass of bubbles, your betting stubs, and your phone, opt for a shoulder bag.

For ladies, racewear may include:

• Hats and fedoras, fascinators, headpieces including headbands, turbans and headscarves
• Elegant racewear including dresses, pantsuits, jumpsuits and culottes
• Wedges, heels or flats - comfortable for a day