The concept of a day for women to show off their best looks at the races is said to date back to Queen Victoria wearing a hat at Royal Ascot in the 1830s.
This tradition has continued for many years, including at Cheltenham Festival, where the second day has long been referred to as Ladies Day.
Previously, Ladies Day was reserved for women to don designer and high-fashion brands, with some planning their outfits months in advance, along with A-list celebrities and high-profile racegoers showcasing their most picture-worthy outfits.
However, in recent years, the iconic day has undergone a transformation.
And in 2025, for the second year in a row, the day will officially be known as ‘Style Wednesday’ instead.
The festival has also ditched its Best Dressed competition, instead shifting focus to sustainable fashion with its ‘Slow Fashion’ awards.
Why is Ladies’ Day now called Style Wednesday at Cheltenham Festival?
Cheltenham Festival quietly stopped advertising the second day as being for ‘ladies’ in 2018, yet the tradition persisted for years to come.
The shift to Style Wednesday was a move towards promoting a more sustainable and inclusive view of fashion, as was the scrapping of the best-dressed awards.
Organisers now hope to encourage racegoers to ‘make more sustainable fashion choices’ while they showcase their ‘unique and personal style’.
A Cheltenham Racecourse spokesperson commented on the change at the time, stating the rebrand aims to celebrate ‘fast horses and slow fashion’.
They explained: ‘This includes re-wearing outfits they already have in their wardrobes, purchasing timeless garments to wear again and again and also buying from retailers specialising in pre-loved clothing.
‘We hope that by no longer placing an expectation upon people of what they should and shouldn’t wear, we can help highlight that racing really is for everyone.’
The spokesperson highlighted that ‘discouraging people from dressing up for a day at the races if they want to’ wasn’t the intention, adding: ‘This is about giving people a choice and the opportunity to come racing dressed however they feel most comfortable and confident.’
What other changes have been made?
Historically, while there is no official dress code for the Cheltenham Festival, attendees were expected to dress smartly. Men typically wore suits, and women smart dresses, with jeans and trainers generally avoided.
However, the dress code was relaxed back in 2023, as organisers looked to be more ‘inclusive’ and help spectators feel ‘confident and at ease’.
‘Horse racing has always been a sport enjoyed by people from all different backgrounds, and it’s really important to us to be accessible and inclusive,’ Jockey Club chief executive Kevin Truesdale said when the change was introduced.
That being said, high fashion is often on the agenda for attendees, with many using the event as an opportunity to showcase statement outfits.
And, despite the new, more relaxed dress code, many still embrace the traditional race day fashion, with elaborate hats and fascinators.
What awards will be handed out on Style Wednesday at Cheltenham Festival?
On Style Wednesday, the Slow Fashion Awards will celebrate racegoers who embrace both sustainability and glamour by donning vintage and borrowed items.
To enter the competition – which opens at 10.30am and closes at 14.30pm – participants must have their photo taken against the official photography backdrop in The Plaza and fill out a digital questionnaire provided by the promotional team.
Points will be awarded based on the extent to which the outfit has been sustainably sourced.
The Jockey Club’s website reads: ‘The Slow Fashion awards celebrate vintage and borrowed items, as well as investment pieces that can be passed down through generations.
‘We encourage all racegoers to showcase their unique and personal style and to share the stories behind their amazing outfits with friends and family on social media.’
Jewellery worth £4,000, a stay in the five-star Ellenborough Park in the Cotswolds and tickets to Ladies Day Epsom 2025 are among the prizes available for the winners.
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