By admin 
The concept of a day for women to show off their fashion sense at racing events is said to date from Queen Victoria wearing a hat at Royal Ascot during the 1830s.
There was a major change at Cheltenham Festival in 2024, however, when the tradition, which was usually held on day two, was rebranded.
Festivities known as Ladies Day still takes place at various festivals held by organisers The Jockey Club, but Cheltenham’s renamed and amended version is about to take place for a second year.
You can find out all you need to know about Cheltenham Festival 2025 in 101GreatGoals.com’s guide, and read on for a look at why the move around Ladies Day was made and how the “celebration of the glamour and glory of the Cheltenham Festival” will look.
Cheltenham: Why is it no longer called Ladies Day?
The event is now called Style Wednesday, is gender-neutral and no longer carries a contest for the best-dressed attendees.
Fancy dress remains outlawed but trousers, jackets and ties and formal shoes are no longer mandatory, with jeans and trainers allowed.
“Horse racing has always been a sport enjoyed by people from all different backgrounds and it’s really important to us to be accessible and inclusive,” Jockey Club chief executive Kevin Truesdale said when the change was introduced.
“We hope that by no longer placing an expectation upon people of what they should and shouldn’t wear, we can help highlight that racing really is for everyone.
“For those who visit our venues, a day at the races is all about spending quality leisure time with friends and family and we believe people enjoy themselves best when they feel relaxed. A major part of that is wearing clothing which you are comfortable in.
“When we reviewed this area of the raceday experience, it has been clear to us that enforcing a dress code seems rather outdated in the 21st century, in the eyes of many of our racegoers.
“That doesn’t mean we are discouraging people from dressing up for a day at the races if they want to. This is about giving people a choice and the opportunity to come racing dressed however they feel most comfortable and confident, while also bearing in mind the challenges regularly presented by the British weather.”
Whether or not you’re heading to Cheltenham, you can earn free bets on the festival with Betway.
Cheltenham Style Wednesday outfits: Slow Fashion awards
Visitors can take part in the Slow Fashion awards at Cheltenham, which place an emphasis on vintage and borrowed items and investment pieces that can be passed through generations.
Entrants must have their picture taken against the photography backdrop in The Plaza by a promotional team at the racecourse and fill out a questionaire on iPads provided.
Points are awarded for sustainably source outfits, with participants encouraged to share the inspiration or story behind their attire, with “personal touches and styling considerations” also rewarded.
Cheltenham 2025 schedule: When is Style Wednesday?
Style Wednesday is on March 12 2025, with the competition opening from 10.30am GMT and ending four hours later.
The judging panel features former international model Rosie Tapner and fashion author, journalist and broadcaster Katie Nicholl.
Prizes include a £4,000 gold pendant, an overnight stay at a spa retreat and tickets to Cheltenham and other events.
Cheltenham Festival 2025: Outfits dress code ‘for everyone’
Discussing The Jockey Club’s events, Truesdale said it is a “common misconception” that racedays require ticket holders to “dress in a certain way”.
“In fact, even at really high-profile days like the Cheltenham Festival, that has simply not been the case and our only recommendation has been to dress appropriately for the weather,” he pointed out.
“By taking the decision not to impose dress codes at any of our 15 racecourses, we now hope to get rid of any ambiguity or uncertainty and simply let people know that whatever they feel comfortable wearing, they’ll be welcome to join us on a raceday.
“For many, clothing is the ultimate expression of individuality and by removing the need to be dressed in a certain way, we hope to really demonstrate how inclusive we believe our sport is, as well as being a fantastic and thrilling day out.”