RECOMMENDED FOR RACEGOERS • MENSWEAR
THE HAT
A Panama hat will work with most outfits and at most summer racing festivals, but do not wear it before or at the Guineas Festival. Better matched to a grey suit is a darker coloured trilby or fedora – look for a straw trilby to save overheating, and consider navy, brown or dark camel hues.
Do not be tempted to wear a hat the same colour as your suit – it should contrast but be of a similar tone. Tread carefully with coloured hat bands: weigh up how much other colour you have in your outfit first and only accept a plain hatband in a self- or contrasting colour – avoid patterned ones. Top hats are only to be worn with morning suits, and flat caps are only for tweed suits.
Marks and Spencer has a range of Panama and summer trilby hats including this Luxury Panama Hat, £ 49.50.
THE SHOE
Black is the obvious choice but worn with a navy or grey suit it can tend to look like office wear. Brown and tan are more relaxed colours whilst still looking smart. How formal is all in the style of the shoe.
Synonymous with country life in the past, the brogue has taken a step into city life. That said, don’ t opt for the chunky full brogue, go for the more refined Oxford half brogue. A semi or half brogue has fewer perforations creating a sleeker look. Russell & Bromley’ s Milano is a semi brogue in chestnut calf leather. Price £ 195.
The monkstrap shoe offers an unusual dapper alternative to the more popular Oxford and Derby styles. Try Dune ' s Putney in tan. Price £ 100 from House of Fraser.
THE OVERCOAT
The transition from spring to summer or summer to autumn is not always cut and dried. What do you wear when one day it could be warm and sunny and the next cold and rainy?
We turn to the lightweight mac. The simple loose fit of the mac fits perfectly over suits or blazers without crushing them. Go for shorter than knee length so that the mac doesn’ t dominate your sartorial look
This year PANTONE has voted green as THE colour for 2017. Outerwear is the easiest way to wear green especially khaki and military green which have always been a hit with men’ s clothing, and are your safest bet in the green spectrum.
New & Lingwood ' s Contrast Double Faced Raincoat is a great option for racedays. The classic raincoat is given a sharp twist with its contrast lining. Tailored from double-faced, water-resistant Italian cotton, it is available in four colour contrast combinations: royal blue / lime, lime / royal blue, orange / navy and navy / orange. The internal pocket is wide enough to store the latest large mobile phones and is buttoned for added security. Price £ 795.
18 SUMMER RACING FASHION GUIDE 2017 ECLIPSEMAGAZINE. CO. UK