FASHION SPECIAL
Time to get your glad rags ready
James Turner looks at what to wear as the summer season gets into full swing
Edward VII once described with some vigour that Glorious Goodwood in Sussex was " a garden party with horse racing tacked on ". In saying this he was really describing the English summer social season where only the English insist on attending in the right hat, outfit and even wellington boots.
Such summer season events not only make for great people-watching and, for the purist, an excuse for a long weekend away. They are now, of course, huge days for corporate entertaining and celebrity spotting: So it’ s either“ Pack your glad rags we’ re off to the races” or it’ s a“ Save the date for your most valued clients, we’ re off on a jolly”.
The core of the classic summer social season events are English, as opposed to British, simply because“ the Season” ran from Easter to August 12 – when grouse shooting began – in order to keep everyone entertained while Parliament was still sitting.
The most iconic events that are still the most popular today, therefore, took place within easy reach of London and still do. It’ s somewhat unbelievable that, in the 21st century, the whole eco system of the summer social season not only survives but thrives, with some events approaching their 300th anniversaries. R
Cutting a dash: the striped blazer is a popular summer look
SAVILE ROW STYLE MAGAZINE 77