The Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horserace, is coming on March 29. And the action’s not going to be limited to the race track. A day at the races is all the inspiration anyone needs to add a stylish suit to the wardrobe — but if you haven’t planned your look yet, or are looking to achieve a fun, trendy look without breaking the bank, we cant think of anything better than some serious accessorising to break the monotony and stand out in the crowd. Here’s our selection of ten that could be used to create the right amount of drama and transform your everyday suit into one that’s sure to turn heads at the races.
1. Ditch the boring tie and opt for a chic silk cravat — it makes an incredible, brighter alternative and can relieve you from the closed top button. Remember, the revelry at the races actually spans over six hours and starts around mid-afternoon. It can get too hot for you to be wearing a neck-tie. The cravat is elegant and old-fashioned, yet bang on trend if you’re looking to channel some retro revival at the races,
2. Pocket squares have made a come-back and there are many ways in which these colourful pieces of cloth can uplift the entire look. You can wear them in different ways — either the minimalistic straight line peeping out from the breast pocket of the suit or a more flamboyant fluffed-up look to make a statement. Pay some attention to how the colour of the pocket-square complements the colour of your eyes and you’re bound to make an impact.
3. Don’t shy away from pulling off a hat-trick. Whether its a classic Trilby hat, a top hat, a chic fedora or a Boater straw-hat, the races are an occasion where men won’t be out of place in a hat.
4. Bow-ties are a fun accessory to express yourself with. They suit a slimmer frame, but there can be a fine line between looking quirky and comedic. So be sure that you get the opinion of someone who will tell you as it is, before you step out in a bow-tie. You can opt for classic silk jacquard or mesh bow-ties. The fun is in wearing one that you tie, instead of a strap-on version of this timeless accessory.
5. Have fun with your lapels — while slimmer lapels are in, even the tiniest lapel pin can add an element of colour that can break the monotony, especially if you’ve chosen a darker coloured suit. Experiment with one of the colours of the season — either a vibrant turquoise or a coral. While an extravagant lapel pin will attract attention, subtlety will serve you well in this department. You don’t want the accessory to take away from you.
6. Scarves are another versatile accessory — they can be worn with a tuxedo and bow-tie on more formal occasions and work equally well to add a dash of colour to a dark suit. For the races, feel free to experiment with small prints or equine motifs.
7. Footwear can present a daunting number of options for the races. From slip-on brogues or colourful loafers, to classic oxford shoes, you can sport any pair without going wrong. Our favourites happen to be two-tone wing tip shoes. The tones need to be coordinated to compliment your suit. For a beige day-suit, you can use a tan and beige combination, darker suits call for a more subtle contrast between the colours in the two tone wing-tip. Be careful to look for an artistically crafted piece with an emphasis on the ‘W’ shape of the toe-cap which will extend to the heel.
8. Colour can be incorporated onto the footwear through using quirky, colourful shoe-laces and socks. These are often the easiest ways to customise one’s footwear and a bold experiment with colours is definitely recommended. A bright orange can be a great colour for laces on tan or brown shoes, whilst turquoise or blue blue will liven up a black shoe.
9. Cuff-links are another piece of accessory which present an array of interesting options — fabric or felt, leather or sterling silver, embellished with gem stones. They can be a true reflection of ones’ personality. Our recommendation is to try and keep them fuss-free and maintain clean lines. Another metallic accessory which is often not visible is a pair of collar stiffeners. They are a must-have at the races because you’re wearing the shirt in the outdoors for more than six hours.
10. Watches are accessories that men are often most passionate about. They are indulgences that add to the luxury of owning something that has been perfectly crafted and precisely engineered — a true combination of form and function. At the races, wear a pocket watch if you happen to have one in the family. They are almost synonymous with the occasion.
Mahir Ali is the artistic director and head of operations at Dubai bespoke tailors Ascots & Chapels. Go to ascotsandchapels.com.
