Style by the Mile
We look back at the Boodles May Festival and celebrate a crossroads in summer sport and style
A firm favourite amongst amateurs and affictionados alike, the Boodles May Festival has a reputation for furlong after furlong of first-rate racing and peerless style. It’s an age-old, tried-and-tested combination, but it’s always a joy to see summer sport and summer style go hand in hand so effortlessly.
Last month, we had the honour of judging the Best Dressed men’s category together with Official Race Partners, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks.
This came hot on the hooves of McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks’ Official Style Guide. Highlighting dress-code guidelines across all racecourse areas and enclosures, the guide also showcased some truly inspired and stylish ensembles from the extensive range of brands available at Cheshire Oaks. From Paul Smith to Ted Baker, the Official Style guide was a rich repertoire of summer-ready looks fit for the Roodee and beyond.
As was to be expected, then, the day didn’t just offer up a masterclass in equestrian excellence, but presented a whole host of bold and exacting style statements that exceeded expectations. From classic, boxy, double-breasted silhouettes to more contemporary, slimmer-fitting cuts, the gent’s at the Boodles May Festival revelled in a fresh blend of tradition and modernism. Floral prints and lighter textures made for some relaxed summer vibes, whilst an abundance of well-constructed and perfectly-placed pocket squares ensured that the old-school sartorial standards were still very much well-maintained and lovingly-represented.
And in a true celebration of style and grace, the ladies in attendance turned heads and dropped jaws in equal measure with a flurry of floral fascinators and a show-stopping mix of dresses, jumpsuits and elegant tailoring. No detail was overlooked as ladies in attendance wowed with carefully-considered colour combinations and impeccable accessorising.
Here at The Essential Journal, we pride ourselves on operating at the forefront of contemporary fashion, and with Chester Racecourse and McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks at our side, we can honestly say that we were in the very best of company. EJ
Words by Will Halbert
Image Credits by Thomas Sumner
