How to choose the right hat for your hospitality experience at the races.

23 March 2022

After the Cheltenham races came to a close and with the Grand National just around the corner, we look forward to a busy and glamorous horse racing hospitality season. 

A day at the races is always an exciting occasion but made all the more special with our exclusive hospitality packages at Goodwood, Epsom, Ascot and Aintree. To mark the occasion and truly experience the day, ladies are given the opportunity to dress up and wear hats that turn heads.

A hat is the key accessory that allows passage to the most glamorous circles and provides an opportunity to truly make your mark. Consequently, no feather or inch of silk is spared in the making of the truly fantastic headpieces that are worn to the races.

Whether you like to be the centre of attention or make your mark with subtle elegance, our hat review collates the best styles from past events and is sure to provide inspiration for your next racecourse look.

Ruffled feathers

A common and popular choice and a quick way to add volume to any hat is a full plume of feathers. Strategically placed, the lightweight accessory adds drama to any look.

Wide brimmed

Direct sunlight is the enemy on a hot summers race day in late July at Goodwood, so a wide brimmed hat is a smart choice for the lady who needs her shade. In addition, the style provides a larger surface for decorations and is a strong style to sport.

Larger than life

In Royal Ascot Ladies Day tradition, the women try to literally outgrow each other every year and compete over wearing the biggest and most extravagant hat. The result is a quirky array of amazingly tall and wide brimmed designs. A great option for the lady who likes to have fun and doesn’t mind the attention.

Simple and elegant

Favoured by the royal family, a simple and elegant hat is all you need. With the right materials and shape, a simple but unique design shows a milliners true talent.

In bloom

Summer is a time to wear florals. Whether as a finishing touch or as a full bouquet, floral millinery does wonders for the complexion and celebrates the beauty of life.

For more hat inspiration and a full compilation of the above styles, we created a Pinterest board to guide you in making your style choices ahead of the summer racing season.

Excited for a hospitality day at the races? Get in touch with the AOK Cavendish team for more information: hello@officialhorseracinghospitality.co.uk  or call us on 020 8222 8420