Dubai World Cup fashion: What it takes to win the annual Style Stakes fashion competition

While the day offers a global stage for the world’s most elite horses, it also serves as an opportunity to dress up in fashionable outfits, including a chance to be crowned “best dressed” at the annual Style Stakes competition.

“The fashion at the 2024 Dubai World Cup will be a celebration of creativity and originality,” Evelyn McDermott, Style Stakes judge and Milliner told Arabian Business. As a returning judge and one of the region’s most renowned milliners, McDermott laid down what style trends we can expect to see at this year’s upcoming race.

“There is always a mix of tradition, modern design along with culture being brought to the forefront,” McDermott said. She expects attendees to embrace more colour this year, whether that being their race day outfit or accessories.

Yet, as with any prestigious racing event, The Dubai World Cup upholds traditions of formal dress code. As set out by the Dubai Racing Club, attendees must wear smart attire or national dress. However, within the guidelines, there is room for racegoers to express personal flair with their style.

Style guide for men

Men have traditionally faced more limited options regarding Dubai World Cup attire. The dress code generally requires suits paired with ties or bowties, complete with formal shoes. Trainers and flip-flops are not permitted within the guidelines. However, as menswear continues to evolve, so does the dress code at the races.

“Menswear is having a moment to be more adventurous,” explained Daniel Fletcher, British fashion designer and Royal Ascot’s Creative Director. On the heels of his recent Royal Ascot lookbook, launching in Dubai later this week, he encourages first-timers and returning racegoers alike to take style risks within the guidelines.

“You can still respect the dress code, but do something slightly more fresh and more suitable to your own personal style,” he remarked.

What are the outfit trends

Fletcher suggests wearing a light blue waistcoat, matching shirt and tie paired with chunky Darby shoes to fuse classic and modern. He also recommends playing with colour, texture and silhouette, such as wearing a light-weight tweed suit for a “grandpa vibe” or a suit in fine green.

“Really try to have fun, whether that be shopping vintage, reusing something from your wardrobe, wearing something that might belong to your parents or shopping from new designers or renting,” Fletcher explained.

A key point of advice is to steer away from short-legged trousers or jackets and trousers that are too tight. Additionally, opting for fabrics such as linen and cotton, work well in warmer temperatures, versus heavier textiles.

Style guide for women

For female racegoers, Dubai World Cup fashion offers endless possibilities. Within the dress code requirements, women are expected to wear knee-length hemlines, paired with hats or fascinators, especially for those who are competing in the Style Stakes competition.

“For an event like this you want your hat to be your statement piece,” McDermott explained. She recommends first selecting a standout hat or fascinator. From there, she advises building an outfit around the featured headpiece.

“Choose the perfect silhouette to ensure your hat remains the talking point and accessorize around that. Accessories are key to pull the overall look together,” McDermott explained.

How to choose a hat

One of the most common mistakes among racegoers is getting the wrong-sized hat for their head shape.

“Every head size dictates a different hat style that enhances the look,” McDermott noted, advising racegoers to try on a few different styles to find the perfect fit.

Once you have chosen a hat, it is important that it balances the outfit you plan to wear.

“If you are doing a sleek trouser suit then it’s good to go with a wide brim [hat], Panama style or something like that. But make sure it suits your face shape as well,” Fletcher advised.

According to McDermott, classic hats are trending again along with some larger styles.

“It goes between the smaller style hats worn frequently by the Royal family to larger ones appearing lately for bigger events,” she stated.

McDermott also predicts to see many “crown style” hats, a type of hat that frames the face in a delicate, open-structured manner, which are becoming increasingly popular in Dubai.

What are the outfit trends

Over the past few racing seasons, popular outfit colours for women have encompassed metallic hues in jewel tones, and well as bold colours such as pink, orange and yellow, according to milliner and stylist Evelyn McDermott.

“Royal blue is also a big trend, [and] white is big for 2024,” McDermott added.

Daniel Fletcher also believes the finest outfits allow personal flair to shine through rather than rigid conformity. “Not every woman needs an overly floral dress,” he stated. “Trousers or something more structured can make just as much of a statement.”

For more daring attendees, Fletcher endorses looks that embrace glamour, noting, “In Dubai particularly, the atmosphere is very glamorous, so I think adding a little bit of sparkle and being playful can work well.”

When standing out in crowds, Fletcher advises creative accessory pairings rather than basic clutches, saying, “Doing something slightly unexpected with your accessories is a good approach. You don’t need to stick to just a classic clutch bag shape. Shake things up a bit, have fun with it, and be as creative as possible.”

Dress with the planet in mind

When it comes to putting together your race day outfit for events like the Dubai World Cup, Fletcher encourages attendees to focus on more than just looking good – but to think about the planet too.

“Try and be as conscious as possible about where you’re buying your clothes from. If that means hiring pieces, that’s really great. And particularly for hats. There’s a lot of really great hat rental places out there.”

“Recycling something that was already in your wardrobe, or choosing a sustainable and eco-conscious brand is really the way forward and something that everyone should be embracing,” Fletcher added.

Guidelines to partake in the Style Stakes Competition

For racegoers who take their outfits seriously, the annual Style Stakes competition awards the best-dressed attendees across four categories. The categories include Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Man, Best Dressed Couple, Best Hat and Best Traditional Outfit.

Prizes up for grabs for this year’s competition range from Emaar gift cards valued up to $45,000 for all categories, Skywards Miles from Emirates, luxury 24K Gold facials and bespoke hats among other prizes.

Style Stakes participants showcase their outfits on the stage located in Apron Views of the Meydan Racecourse. This year’s judges will be looking for originality, interpretation of current trends, attention to detail and appropriateness of the outfit for race day.

For attendees participating for “best hat” McDermott explained: “I’m looking beyond to the detail of the hat, the construction and workmanship in the hat and of course the creative details.”

She advises all contestant’s to “think outside the box” and be creative with their looks.

Registration Desks will be located in Apron Views, concourse level Gate 2 and Gate 4 and will be open from 1 PM onwards. Registrations close at 3.30 PM. Entrants must be 18 years of age and above in order to participate.