What to Wear to Henley Royal Regatta

Summer Tailoring by the Thames

Few British summer events combine sport, tradition and style quite like Henley Royal Regatta. For five days, the banks of the Thames become a mixture of world-class rowing, lunches, drinks, hospitality and unmistakably British summer dressing. For gentlemen, Henley is an opportunity to move away from the darker colours of business tailoring and embrace lighter cloths, softer colours and a little more personality. But there's an important consideration before choosing your outfit: Where will you be watching from?

Different areas of Henley have different dress expectations, with the Stewards' Enclosure maintaining a formal dress code.

Dressing for the Stewards' Enclosure

For gentlemen in the Stewards' Enclosure, the traditional starting point is a lounge suit, or jacket or blazer with trousers, worn with a tie or cravat. This doesn't mean you need to look as though you've just left the office. Quite the opposite. Henley is a summer sporting occasion, so we'd usually move away from conventional charcoal business tailoring and introduce lighter colours, texture and more relaxed fabrics.

The Summer Suit

A beautifully cut summer suit is perhaps the simplest Henley solution. Navy remains a classic choice, but consider:

• Mid-blue
• Light grey
• Stone
• Beige
• Olive
• Subtle checks
• Soft Prince of Wales patterns

A double-breasted suit can look particularly elegant at Henley. Alternatively, a lightweight single-breasted suit with a slightly softer construction gives a more relaxed feel.

Blazer and Trousers

Henley is one of the occasions where the classic blazer really comes into its own. A navy blazer with cream or light-grey trousers is timeless. But you don't have to stop there. A textured blue jacket, subtle check or lighter summer blazer paired with contrasting trousers can create a more individual look. At Roomten, we'd concentrate on making sure the jacket and trousers are properly balanced.

Separates should look deliberately coordinated rather than as though you've simply worn two garments from different suits.

Linen at Henley

Linen and summer events are natural companions. Pure linen has a beautifully relaxed character and will crease during the day. That's part of its charm. If you'd prefer something that retains its shape a little more effectively, consider a wool-linen blend. Wool, silk and linen blends can also create beautiful texture while remaining lightweight.

The Shirt

White is always dependable, but Henley gives you plenty of opportunity to explore colour. Pale blue, soft pink and subtle stripes can all work beautifully. The collar needs to sit correctly underneath the jacket and frame the tie. And remember that you'll probably remove your jacket at some stage during the day, so the shirt needs to look good on its own.

The Tie

Where a tie or cravat is required, treat it as part of the outfit rather than an obligation. Silk ties in summer colours, club-style stripes, subtle patterns and knitted ties can all work. A tie also gives you an opportunity to introduce colour without turning the entire outfit into a statement.

Shoes

Brown leather or suede works particularly well with summer tailoring. Loafers are an excellent option with lighter suits and separates, while traditional lace-ups work with more formal outfits. Comfort matters. Henley involves more walking and standing than you might expect.

Sunglasses and Accessories

Good sunglasses are both practical and stylish. A simple pocket square can add interest to a jacket, but we'd avoid matching the pocket square exactly to the tie. They should complement one another, not arrive as a boxed set.

What If the Weather Changes?

It's an English summer event. Plan accordingly. A lightweight raincoat or mac can be invaluable. Choose something that works with tailoring rather than throwing a technical hiking jacket over a beautifully made suit.

The Roomten Henley Look

Our ideal Henley outfit might be: A lightweight mid-blue or textured navy jacket, cream tailored trousers, pale-blue shirt, silk or knitted tie, brown suede loafers and a lightweight raincoat close at hand. Alternatively, choose a complete lightweight summer suit for a cleaner, more formal appearance. Henley allows you to have some fun with tailoring. Keep the foundations classic and use colour, texture and accessories to make the outfit your own.

Dressing for Henley?

Roomten can create made-to-measure suits, jackets, trousers and shirts specifically for the summer social season. Book a Roomten consultation and create your Henley outfit.