What to wear- Ladies day @Hickstead

[black_n_white]

Can anyone help re dresscode for longines hickstead please? First timer here. I was planning to just wear jeans/ boots/ waterproofs as I would to go Badminton etc. but I've seen the ladies day dress code (and pics) and seems to suggest they're encouraging you to dress up as if it was a day at the races?

Do people actually dress up? Conscious that the forecast is a bit miserable for Sat so don't wanna frock up and look like a nob of majority of crowd are casual!

We have general admission plus the ringside terrace so not the full on members enclosure if that makes a difference?

 

[quizzie]

95% of people will be dressed as you planned….a few people dress up to enter the competition, but they are the exception rather than the rule!

 

[Sealine]

The only people who dress up are in the members enclosure. Everyone else dresses as they normally do at any other horse event.

 

[Prancerpoos]

As above, other than in the Member’s Enclosure, people don’t generally dress up and rain is forecast, so just be comfortable and dry.

As an aside..I once attended the Melbourne Cup, with my OH, as I happened to be in Oz at the time and it was my birthday. We were the only people there in jeans and t shirts, everyone else looked like they were going to the Met ball. Slightly awkward.

Hickstead is definitely not like that

 

[Cowpony]

95% of people will be dressed as you planned….a few people dress up to enter the competition, but they are the exception rather than the rule!

Ah, the traditional "best broodmare" competition! Drives me nuts that in this day and age equestrian events persist in this archaic, misogynistic, patronising ritual.

I'll crawl back under my rock now!

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I’m going on Saturday and I’m definitely going for comfort over style.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Ah, the traditional "best broodmare" competition! Drives me nuts that in this day and age equestrian events persist in this archaic, misogynistic, patronising ritual.

I'll crawl back under my rock now!

I just see it as you can compete if you enjoy that sort of thing, don't if you won't.... Have you ever seen the Ricky Gervais sketch about guitar lessons?

 

[Cowpony]

Yeeeeeeeeees.........buuuuuut...........They don't have best dressed gentleman competitions do they?

Haven't seen the Ricky Gervais thing. Off to Google it now.

 

[fetlock]

Yeeeeeeeeees.........buuuuuut...........They don't have best dressed gentleman competitions do they?

Haven't seen the Ricky Gervais thing. Off to Google it now.

Yes they do! Lots of best dressed men competitions at the races or mixed best dressed.

 

[Cowpony]

Interesting! I've never seen them, but seen plenty of ladies ones. I'll have to keep my eyes open next time

 

[MuddyMonster]

Even the member's enclosure at Hickstead is on the smart-casual side compared to racing or polo member's enclosures I'd say. You obviously can dress up more if desired!

It was cold and wet there today so definitely go for waterproof and warm-ness

 

[Griffin]

Even the member's enclosure at Hickstead is on the smart-casual side compared to racing or polo member's enclosures I'd say. You obviously can dress up more if desired!

It was cold and wet there today so definitely go for waterproof and warm-ness

I agree with this. I was in the members enclosure a few years ago and I was overdressed in a nice tea dress compared to most people.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Even the member's enclosure at Hickstead is on the smart-casual side compared to racing or polo member's enclosures I'd say. You obviously can dress up more if desired!

It was cold and wet there today so definitely go for waterproof and warm-ness

What was the shopping like? I’m off over there on Sunday

 

[MuddyMonster]

What was the shopping like? I’m off over there on Sunday

Well, I must confess after getting rained on in the morning riding, it made me favour staying in the pub we had lunch in So didn't get there until not that long before the eventing GP class started so only had a brief look around.

First impressions it looked better than the Derby meeting but probably not as good as Hickstead's of old.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Well, I must confess after getting rained on in the morning riding, it made me favour staying in the pub we had lunch in So didn't get there until not that long before the eventing GP class started so only had a brief look around.

First impressions it looked better than the Derby meeting but probably not as good as Hickstead's of old.

I did think the Derby meeting was a bit naff… I’ll pop down for a browse for sure then