As the famous Chelsea Flower Show recently drew to a close, we were reminded of the many iconic British social events that take place throughout the summer. The country’s calendar is as busy as it ever was, and once the sun comes out it never seems to abate.
We wanted to highlight just how full the UK summer is of events - part sporting or artistic festival, part social calendar gold stars. Whether you’re a die-hard fan, curious dilettante or pure social butterfly, there will be plenty to interest you across any given year. And while it’s not always necessary to stick to a dress code, it is sometimes best to check which way the wind is blowing when picking your outfit.
A Note on Dress Codes
For those overseas, the British class system is likely well known. While strict social hierarchies don’t exist in quite the way they once did, social events tend to remain, how do we put this? Stratified. You don’t have to have blue blood or a family tree stretching back generations to attend Ascot or the Henley Regatta, but it may be expected that you look the part. What’s more, it’s part of the fun - it’s not every day one goes to an event such as this, so it’s a great opportunity to dress well.
A silk cravat, or more widely any silk accessory, can be a great help when putting your event outfit together. We’re often asked when a cravat can best be put to work - and we always say “whenever you like” - but any of the following occasions would be incredibly, perfectly appropriate.
Below is a brief list of British summer events that may interest you. Whether you’re a visitor to the country, or a native who is looking to plan their year ahead, there really is a huge array from which to choose.
Horse Racing
Royal Ascot - June 16th- 20th
Perhaps the most prestigious race in the UK after Aintree’s Grand National, Ascot is certainly the one with the high society glamour. Taking place in the scenic Thames valley, it’s a venue with an absurd amount of history and one of the world’s premier destinations for horse racing. Naturally, this includes some of the most luxurious hospitality packages alongside.
Epsom Derby - June 5-6th
Often seen as the premier of the “British Classics” races, this traditional flat run is famous for its length, difficulty, and sheer opulence. Taking place on high ground in the Surrey Hills, with sweeping views over both London and the Downs, it truly is a location that will stick in the memory.
Goodwood - 28th July - August 1st
Otherwise known as “Glorious Goodwood”, the quirks of the track, the laid-back country glamour of the event and the long history of the course makes racing here a massively important mark on the calendar.
Polo
Cartier Queens Cup - Across May and June
If racing is less your thing and your preference is for ball sports, you may prefer to watch the sport of kings - polo. One of the oldest team sports in the world and, as the tagline suggests, very much associated with the nobility, the UK has one of the most active polo scenes in the world. This prestigious tournament takes place at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor every year, and is generally regarded as the most sought-after trophy to win. It’s an event which will see you rubbing elbows with the elites, including genuine royalty, so looking the part is essential.
Sailing & Rowing
Henley Regatta - June 30th - July 5th
Alongside the Oxford-Cambridge boat race, Henley is perhaps the British rowing event, with over 400 international-standard races taking place on the upper Thames. It’s also historically a preserve of the upper classes, with surrounding events being almost as important as the event itself. Nautical and marine fashions are absolutely essential here, as are the preppy smart-casuals you’d envisage. There’s nothing else really like it and, as a huge influence on other regattas elsewhere, simply must be experienced if you’re a fan of the sport.
SailGP Portsmouth - July 25th-26th
Known as a higher-octane, speed-focused event, it attracts a young and international crowd and, as such, fashion is very much at the forefront. The Solent on England’s south coast is a world centre for sailing year-round, with perfect conditions to bring out the best in competitors. A glamorous one that is returning to the UK this year, and is only likely to grow in prestige.
Music
Glyndebourne - across the summer
Set in its glorious venue in the equally glorious Sussex countryside, the opera house at Glyndebourne is an institution, with classical music aficionados making the pilgrimage down from London, as well as much further afield. Highlights this season include Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, and Benjamin Britten’s seafaring psychological epic Billy Budd.
BBC Proms - July to September
Running from July to September in London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall, this is unquestionably the UK’s biggest classical music event, and runs the gamut from pop stars and popular classics through to experimental productions and well-known composers’ deep cuts.
There are genuinely too many highlights to list here, and enough talent on display to make your head spin, but some of the more eye-catching shows include a special performance of Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians in Bristol for the composer’s 90th birthday, and a monumental performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
Tennis
Wimbledon - June 29th to July 12th
One of the four Grand Slam venues, the most historic, and perhaps the most prestigious, Wimbledon and even its postcode, SW18, are bywords for the sport of tennis. Home to more famous triumphs than we can name, and a guardian of the traditions of the sport, everyone who has ever picked up a racket dreams of playing (and winning) here. Whether you’re interested in the world’s greatest or the stars of tomorrow, strict adherence to ideas of propriety (course-side at least) is expected.
Art
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition - June 16th - August 23rd
If you’re interested in the arts, you’ll want to mark the Royal Academy’s annual summer exhibition on your calendar. Hosting cutting-edge art from both established names and fresh faces, it’s a hugely important barometer for what’s happening in the art world, and is often the first place that British artists are thrust into the spotlight. Given its central London setting, you’ll see more urbane modern fashion than classic cuts, but it’s still a place to dress like you mean it - the art world is no place for shrinking violets.
Venice Biennale - May 9th to November 22nd
Perhaps we’re slightly cheating our own remit here, but a great many British art enthusiasts make the annual pilgrimage to Venice to see what’s happening. While it’s almost certainly the most prestigious art event in Europe, it’s also very often a place for experimental, conceptual and transgressive art too, making it a crucial stop to understand the direction of travel in modern discourse. Aside from this, it’s also hugely glamorous, taking place in a peerlessly beautiful city and enticing the intellectual elites of the whole continent. Undoubtedly worth the short hop.
Motor Racing
British Grand Prix, Silverstone - July 5th
If all the bucolic countryside and genteel society has you yearning for something a little more action-packed, you’ll be well served this summer. Formula 1 fans will already be well-acquainted with the historic Silverstone circuit, first used to host the British Grand Prix in 1948, and it still provides thrills to attendees every year. The mix of high speeds and challenging, flowing corners means it’s a huge scalp for any driver, and as such it is a central feature of the world tour. While fine dress may not seem a necessity for every part of the grandstand, F1 is unquestionably an arena of the rich, so for any events surrounding it, you may find yourself wanting to look your best.
Goodwood Festival of Speed, July 9th-12th
The worlds of Formula 1, endurance racing, WRC, MotoGP and many other disciplines come together at Goodwood in an enthusiast’s dream. Featuring a unique mix of historic cars, concept launches and high-level motorsports, it all comes together at the same elegant (and extremely challenging) circuit. While the event certainly has its serious and competitive side, it’s also intended to be a celebration of the culture and heritage, and as such style is a key component - you’ll certainly never feel out of place dressed like a gentleman.
Goodwood Revival, September 18th-20th
Staying with Goodwood, the Festival of Speed has a sister event focused entirely on vintage cars and classic racing - the Goodwood Revival. Every year, thousands of spectators come to relive the glorious early days of racing, and dressing the part is entirely expected; sharp suits, vintage dresses, aviator jackets, racing gloves - it’s all in a day’s work at the revival. Appropriately, Cravat Club has hosted a stall at the Revival for the last 12 years, helping gentlemen look their best for the occasion and providing the final touch on some stunning outfits. It’s always a joy to meet some of our customers here, many of whom come from all over the world, finding exactly what they’re looking for among the year’s new lines. If you’ve never been, it’s absolutely one-of-a-kind, and demands repeat visits once you have the bug.
Golf
BMW PGA Championship - September 11th-14th
While we are arguably stretching the limits of British “summer” here, golf is a sport best played in good weather, and this leafy corner of Surrey tends to hold out longer than other parts of the country. It also attracts arguably the most glamorous crowd on the European Tour, being at the heart of a millionaire’s row and featuring some of the world’s best players. Depending on your hospitality level, fashions (and dress codes) can get more and more elaborate.
Cricket
International Test Matches - across England, summer-long
Cricket is a national obsession, not just in its country of origin, but all over the world too, and its season is something many people look forward to all year. To the uninitiated, the sport can be confusing in its rulebook, variants and culture, but its fans truly live and breathe it.
Test cricket is perhaps its most prestigious and traditional form, and is usually considered the most difficult due to its demands for stamina, high-level skill, strategy and mentality. This summer sees England play test matches against India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, in games that ignite huge passions and demand the very best of the players.
Attending a cricket ground doesn’t need anything more than your normal clothes; it’s a very egalitarian sport despite its public school reputation. However, this very much depends on the level of hospitality you’re looking for. Cricket clubs themselves tend to adhere strictly to tradition, and the more iconic venues such as Lords or Edgbaston will likely expect a certain degree of decorum. We recommend dressing to impress if you’re going anywhere but the stands.
Perfect Your Summer Look
So, what do you wear to these occasions? Is your cravat going to be enough? If you’re new to this kind of event, it would be natural to worry about pulling your outfit together for an occasion you’ve looked forward to. The key thing here, as in all things, is confidence. Remember that even the most experienced people were first-timers once, and you’ll find that among fellow enthusiasts, you’re unlikely to be a wallflower for long.
With this in mind, we’d like to propose that our silk accessories are the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe, and can help you look and feel the part at any event of your choice. Having the right ensemble to lean on can really make you feel at home in unfamiliar territory, and may even be part of the event’s overall charm.
Cravat Club’s range also allows you to display your individuality and taste, giving you no shortage of options with design, whether you’re wearing suave classics at the cricket pavilion, or showing your love of Japanese ukiyo-e prints at the Biennale. Even better, they’re effortless to wear, with the cravat’s flowing natural fibres adept at keeping you cool on the long summer nights.
If you can see yourself stepping out of the ordinary this summer, let our range help you make the most of the British social calendar. You may find yourself right at home amongst even the finest of company, and never feeling more like yourself.
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