Once again, the Qatar Goodwood Festival — better known as Glorious Goodwood — is upon us. Set over five days, the festival remains one of the flat-racing season’s most eye-catching events and a highlight of our summer calendars. 

Goodwood, easily the most picturesque racecourse in the country, is nestled amongst the Sussex hills, and this year it will see racing enthusiasts descend to witness some spectacular sport, including a world-class field at the £1 million Sussex Stakes and the newer Qatar Goodwood Cup worth £500,000. 

But what to wear? We turned to William Woodhams, CEO of Fitzdares — the world’s finest bookmakers — for advice. From the shoes you lace onto your feet to the hat you pop on your head, here’s how to look your best (or should that be most glorious?) at Goodwood this week.

It all starts with the hat, according to Woodhams. The Panama hat is an icon of the Qatar Goodwood festival, worn by men young and old. Opt for a folding design, and it becomes even more practical — adding pliable versatility to its sun-shielding wide brim and timeless style.

Dress codes that demand a jacket may be the bane of the summer event season — but only if you don’t find the right suit. Linen is your best bet here, with a loose, porous weave that conducts heat away from the body and gives your tailoring a more relaxed finish.

With shirts, go for understated, soft and breathable. A high quality natural fibre will ensure you feel comfortable throughout your visit to Goodwood — and the semi-formal collar stipulated by Woodhams will guarantee you never get hot under yours (even if the races aren’t going your way).

Hermès. It’s a brand suggested by Woodhams for a very good reason. Not only have nearby, Goodwood-headquartered Rolls-Royce collaborated with the French fashion house on occasion — but the brand make some of the most sumptuous, understated silk ties in the world. Pick one, pick any — you can’t go wrong.

Not a sports watch, as Woodhams is keen to point out. Despite the fact that your more function-laden watches, offering up chronometers and split-seconds, may help you keep track of the timings and races, nothing looks as suave or sophisticated as a stripped-back, pared-down dress watch. 

There’s an old-school charm to Glorious Goodwood. Like the Goodwood Revival that takes place in just over a month’s time, people dig out the heirlooms and antique accessories for the occasion. Sunglasses are perhaps the best example of this — with brown, round frames being particularly prevalent.

It’s perfectly acceptable to wear brown shoes to Glorious Goodwood, or so says William Woodhams. In fact, he reveals that even the wacky styles from Berluti won’t turn heads for the wrong reasons. Call us conservative, but we’re firm believers in the classic Oxford; such as these from Crockett and Jones. 

Want more sporting style? These were the best dressed men at The Championships, Wimbledon 2021…

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