Horseracing season can be a bit of a minefield. Does your outfit meet the dress code? Have you tied your tie properly? Is your suit a bit ‘too much’? On the one hand you need to meet traditions, but on the other hand you want to get some of your own style across, which can tricky.

If you’ve bagged yourself a ticket to Royal Ascot, Newmarket or Cheltenham, you’re also probably hedging your bets about the weather. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re physically melting in a heavy tweed suit, or wearing white linen when the heavens decide to open.

So what should you wear? Read on to find out.

WHAT TO WEAR TO THE RACES WHEN IT’S HOT

The best option for hot days at the races is a linen suit, as this material is famously airy. Our linen-blend suits are woven with a slight stretch to help them bounce back from creasing, coming in versatile hues of blue and stone. Khaki tones and double-breasted styles are also in the mix, offering bolder, on-trend alternatives that still look and feel smart. By contrasting with indigo or stone chinos, you’ll get more wearing options from your race day outfit. Finish with a pair of lighweight loafers to allow your feet room to breathe.

SHOP LINEN SUITS

There’s no reason why you can’t look race-day appropriate in the rain when you wear a Performance suit. Their wool-rich fabric makes these suits breathable but they have a secret superpower – an invisible Teflon coating that repels water and stains (even handier when a drink is always within a metre-radius). It means water will run off your suit in droplets, rather than soaking through. Go for one in a bright shade like aqua to stand out or choose something more understated like a milled grey or bottle green.

You should also be able to get away with a smart raincoat at the races, especially if it’s tailored. It’s a lightweight layer that keeps your suit in fine form, and you can easily carry it if the sun comes out later.

SHOP PERFORMANCE SUITS

SHOP RAINCOATS

Suits in heavier fabrics like flannel and tweed will help keep you warm and they’ll look the part with their on-trend take on traditional styles. You can find tweeds in pastel shades, like our mauve flannel, that will still feel summery even when the event falls on an unseasonably chilly days. Elevate the look by teaming it with a pure silk tie, hailing from the esteemed Bottinelli mill.

Choosing a three-piece suit will give you the extra layer of warmth you need at your core. Wearing it over a flannel or thick cotton shirt and warm socks can also make a huge difference to your body temperature.

As for outerwear, there should be no reason why you can’t wear a suitably smart overcoat, especially if it’s tailored to be worn over a formal suit and in a classic colour like black or navy.

SHOP TWEED SUITS

SHOP OVERCOATS

Meeting in the summer heat? Wedding when the temperature hits 31? Or a summer party with scarce shade? No problem. Even when etiquette says you need to wear a suit or, at the very least a shirt, there is a way to look good and feel comfortable while the sun is beaming down. And it comes down the fabric you choose.

CHOOSE NATURAL

Science tells us that natural fibres like linen, wool and cotton tend to be the best for regulating body temperature. There’s also something to be said for lightweight fabrics, which is why you’ll find lots of suits coming in at under 270g per metre around at this time of year. But there’s more to it than fibre and weight – the open weave of a fabric also makes a huge difference to its cooling abilities.

When you hold up fabric with an open weave, you should be able to see light through it. To give you a head-start on the ones to look for, here’s a run-down of the best materials for hot weather.

Made from natural flax fibres and with an open weave, linen fabrics are breathable. That means your body heat escapes while the fresh air flows in for a cooling effect. It’s also naturally moisture-wicking, which helps to get rid of that unpleasant sticky feeling when you’re a bit hot.

Linen suits will keep you cool when you need to dress smart for an occasion, like a summer wedding. They do tend to crumple slightly during the day, but the upside is the stylish relaxed look a few wrinkles creates. Suits in a linen blend cloth will also do the trick and they’re usually a bit more resistant to creases. If the occasion allows, try to wear your shirt open-necked for even more air flow.

Seersucker takes its name from the Persian words for milk and sugar – milk representing the smooth part of the cloth, and the sugar representing the gritty texture. But, since it’s just a particular way of weaving cotton, you get all the benefits of that summery fabric with some visual interest.

Classic seersucker suits come in a relaxed fit, a range of colours and a slightly puckered texture. But if you’re not heading to a yacht party, go with a more modern, neutral suit in a slim fit. Same unusual texture, a lot more wearability – style it up with a open collared shirt, or throw over a classic tee and finish with a pair of casual trainers.

Cotton is one of the most widely-used textiles in the world, and that’s because it’s lightweight, durable and comfortable. All of those features make it perfect for summer clothes.

If you choose a cotton suit or a cotton shirt, you’ll get all that comfort and breathability. That means it’ll be ideal for those all-day, hot-weather events, and you won’t overheat while you’re commuting into the office. If you’re looking for even more comfort, choose a cotton suit with a bit of stretch in the blend. That’ll keep it moving with you, and help it last for years to come.

Tweed might make you think of a country gentleman roaming around the moors, but that couldn’t be further from today’s tweed. When it’s cut for a modern profile in fresher colours and worn with the right accessories, it’ll hit just right between classic and contemporary.

And the best bit? Since tweed is woven with wool, you’ll get the breathability you might not expect from this heavier-looking fabric (see below for more on that). Choose one of our more lightweight tweeds, and you have the perfect trans-seasonal suit you’ll wear year-round, and for years to come.

People often wonder if flannel is too hot to wear in the summer. Although a thicker flannel might make you feel like you’re about to melt, lighter flannels are actually praised for their ability to let your body heat out when it’s hot but keep it trapped in when it’s cold.

To make the most of this quality in the summer, choose a flannel suit in a brighter or pastel colour. That will err on the side of casual, working well for relaxed weddings, and it’s also one of the more crease-resistant cloths, so ideal for when you’re travelling. If you like something a bit smarter, a summer-weight double-breasted flannel suit looks dressed up while offering the comfort of a lighter fabric.

Wedding season is here, and with it all manner of dress codes to get your head around. Should you wear a wedding suit? Are you feeling something more casual? As the groom, you’ll set the dress code, but you should also be the brightest example of it. Going as a guest? You’ve got it a little easier, but you’ll still want to make an effort worthy of the couple’s big day.

And on that note, as couples get more creative with their wedding days, so do the dress codes. If you’re faced with a cryptic one, your best bet is to ask the couple or someone in the wedding party for advice. Otherwise, see below for examples of dress codes that work for a range of themes and venues.

SHOP WEDDING SUITS

HIRE WEDDING SUITS

If you’ve been invited to a wedding that’s taking place outside, in a barn or in a marquee for example, then a tweed suit is a great choice. Quintessentially British, tweed tailoring is all about making a subtle statement. Create a relaxed yet refined look by teaming your tweed suit with an open-necked printed shirt and a pair of polished derbies. After a more formal look? Go for the full three-piece suit and add a tie. Your waistcoat doesn’t need to be an exact match with your jacket and trousers. If you want to add some personality to your outfit, consider contrasting: try a check or herringbone jacket with a solid-colour waistcoat, or vice-versa.

If you’ve been asked to dress in morningwear, it’s likely you’ll be going to a pretty grand daytime wedding; think sprawling country estate or the pristinely manicured lawns of the bride’s family pile. This is the most formal dress code of the bunch, and is all about timeless elegance.

You’ve got two options: you can go all the way with a grey or black morning coat, pinstriped trousers, a contrasting waistcoat and maybe even a top hat, or you can take the more streamlined route with a tone-on-tone morning suit. Either way, you’ll need to wear a white double-cuff shirt and polished black Oxford shoes. Your accessories should err on the refined, but feel free to work a soft colour or pattern into the mix – our pick for this year’s weddings is a double-breasted waistcoat in a neutral shade.

If you’ve seen this word on an invitation and it’s thrown you, you should know you’re not alone. So much so, that we’ve written a whole post on what on earth a lounge suit actually is. In short? Despite how it sounds, this is not what you wear to lounge around at home, but actually just a one-name-suits-all term for any smart suit that’s not tails or morningwear.

If you’re given this dress code, it really just means the couple want you to make an effort but the overall tone of the day will be relaxed. A copper two-piece suit in a rich, modern hue will cover you for almost any venue or wedding style, and you can mix in different coloured accessories to suit your mood or the occasion.

Well, lucky you – you’re off to a destination wedding. When shopping for a beach-bound wedding outfit, you need to take the time of year and expected temperature into account. It’s an opportunity to swap your formal suit for something more casual, but remember this is still a special day so make sure you still look put together. A linen suit is a great option to keep you cool even as the temperature rises. If it’s a more casual affair, you could consider swapping your suit trousers for a smart pair of chinos or chino shorts – and if it’s a really, really casual affair, you could even get away with a crisp white t-shirt and a pair of loafers.

Heading to a city wedding somewhere hot? A two-piece lounge suit is still an option for humid days if you pick a lightweight version. Look for soft construction, minimal linings and summer-weight fabrics to make light work of a smart dress code.

The summer city or destination wedding is also one of the best opportunities you’re going to get to embrace colour. A suit in a light, bright shade will make for a stylish nod to the romance of the occasion. Oh, and it’ll look amazing in photos (which is really all that matters, right?). Wondering what to wear for a spring wedding? Here’s our spring wedding suit guide.

Got a black-tie wedding invitation? This formal dress code is usually a sign the event’s more of an evening ‘do, or at least taking place late in the afternoon. It’s also relatively strict, in that you’ll need to wear a tuxedo or dinner jacket and accessories traditionally stay within the black-bow-tie-plus-white-pocket-square camp. But while there are rules, there’s also space for a little personality: an on-trend double-breasted jacket, peak satin lapels or skipping the bow tie in favour of a silk scarf are all small but impactful ways to stand out.

There’s also a chance your invitation will have the word ‘optional’ next to ‘black tie’. While this might sound like you have a choice, it’s really more that the couple would prefer you to wear this, even if they don’t want to strictly enforce it. In other words: if you can, you should.

Even if the invitation says ‘creative black tie’, you still need to know the rules of formal black tie before you can get creative with them – learn all about tuxedos here. As with traditional black tie, this dress code is reserved for evening dos. The couple want the after-dark elegance of black tie, but are offering you a bit of freedom in how you dress too. Instead of a traditional black tuxedo, switch it up by choosing a white double-breasted jacket and bowtie. Alternatively, take it up another notch in a luxe fabric like velvet or a metallic jacquard weave that’ll catch the lights (and everyone’s attention) on the dancefloor. You’ll still tick off the required formal appearance but have a bit more fun with your look in the process.

Head to your local store and one of our experts will help you find an outfit you’ll feel great in.

As the most esteemed Ascot ticket, the Royal Enclosure has a strict dress code: you’re required to wear three-piece morning dress and a top hat is an absolute must. Black morning suits are the standard, but grey is also acceptable and looks great if the sun is shining.

Hire our Royal Ascot package in-store or online from £79.95. If you’re ordering a top hat you’ll have to collect from one of our stores. We’ve got several dress code-approved options including our exclusive Royal Ascot morning suit. Specially designed for the British summer, it’s crafted from luxurious pure new wool that’ll keep you warm on an overcast day, but also keep you stay cool if the sun does come out.

You’ll need to place your order by 14th June if you order online but we usually still have availability to hire in-store after this, in case you get a last-minute ticket.

If you’re hiring the full package from us, you’ll have your pick from our selection of waistcoats, neckwear and pocket squares. But you’re also free to mix in any of our ready-to-wear collection too – we’re predicting the Beckham-approved double-breasted waistcoat as the piece to be seen in at this year’s races.

As for your neckwear, it must be a tie, not a cravat. Keep it sophisticated with a silk tie in a paisley print or a colourful stripe – go easy though, as this is definitely not the time for ill-gifted novelty-wear. And finally, your shoes must be black and you’d do well to give them a serious polish.