Horse Racing February 12, 2020

Dubai World Cup dress code: What to wear on race day in 2020

Dubai World Cup dress code: What to wear on race day in 2020
While you may not be inclined to whip across to London’s Pall Mall for a Lusa Beccaria – price on request – creation if you happen to be female or a classic cord Bedford morning coat if you do not. You will no doubt enjoy the opportunity to dress up in style for the 25th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup. While race days are always an occasion at Meydan, this is the classic and Dubai’s equivalent to Royal Ascot.
However before you choose the outfit, please ensure that you have purchased your Dubai World Cup tickets, for this is one of the biggest events on both the sporting and social calendars in the United Arab Emirates and people, understandably flock to Meydan racecourse.

Returning to the glad rags, officially the Dubai World Cup dress code is smart-casual with a minuscule chance of wellington boots, that said it did rain heavily in 2018 leaving some very wet punters. However, having attended several meetings myself over the years, smart-casual is probably aimed at spectators hailing from cooler northern climes, for cold climate dwelling man a smart cotton shirt and trousers is probably sufficient covering based on normal average temperatures at the course. Last year it was around 35°C at noon ranging from 33°C to 29°C throughout the rest of the day.

However, taking the more acclimatised members of the racegoing public as a template, then the Dubai World Cup is a vibrant display of elegant ladies dresses, hats and shoes, accompanied by gentlemen generally clad in stylishly well-cut suits, jackets and trousers. There is a district of Bur Dubai long acknowledged for its proliferation of exceptional tailors shops, the combined staff of which are usually sewing day and night in the weeks running up to the penultimate evening before the big race. Another indicator as to just how popular the event is in terms of getting those Dubai World Cup tickets organised and paid for well in advance.

Dress code No-No’s

Rather than dwelling on the dos (“Business attire or national dress”) it is perhaps wise to quote directly from Dubai Racing Club’s dress code don’ts as defined in their ‘Frequently Asked Questions’:

“Jeans, sneakers, T-shirts, cargo pants are strictly not allowed into the grandstands, official areas or the parade ring. Media members who are not appropriately dressed will be asked to leave.”

From a ladies perspective fashion that is considered inappropriate for the event in any competitions and therefore best borne in mind in general is:

“Revealing attire, i.e. miniskirts, short dresses, plunging necklines, bare midriff, or clothing made of see-through fabrics.”

Dubai dresses up for the World Cup

So with 50,000 race goers attending the 2019 edition, expect a self regulating dress code determined by a cast of thousands in 2020. All modelling eye-catching millinery designs – hats or fascinators and stunning showstopper dresses as well as crème de la crème gents suiting. Large numbers among them, vying for a spot of style-based prize money, the competition which could quite easily include you.

Present your individual style and fashion sense on the ramp at the most eagerly anticipated fashion event in Dubai’s yearbook, to be judged on a combination of flair, glamour and panache, in the following categories:-

Best Dressed Lady
Best Dressed Man
Best Dressed Couple
Best Hat
Most Creative Hat

So now you’re in a totally Dubai World Cup dress code state of mind make sure you keep an eye out for where you can enter the competitions and don’t forget to register before 4pm on the day to enter the prize categories above, or to buy the tickets in the first place.

Taking place on Saturday 28th March 2020, running through from 12pm until Midnight. Dubai World Cup 2020 will be held at Meydan Grandstand & Racecourse.