The world of horse racing is filled with prestigious and historic races. The Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe, and the Grand National are just some of the beloved races embedded in the global equestrian calendar that attract hundreds of thousands of racegoers every year.
What do Don Corleone, Indiana Jones and Sean Connery’s James Bond all have in common? Aside from being cultural heroes and legends of cinema, they all wore hats exceptionally well. Indeed, it’s no coincidence that many of the biggest silver screen icons relied on hats as integral parts of their wardrobes. A well chosen fedora, trilby or flat cap can transform a look, taking it from pedestrian to something confident and elegant. It can become a signature, as instantly recognisable and synonymous with a character as a mechanical wrist watch or a convertible sports car.
Steeped in equine heritage, The Cheltenham Festival (14.3 to 17.3) heralds the start of the racing season, making it one of the must-attend events in the sporting calendar. Offering a stage for top-tier jockeys to vie against each other, the four-day jumps event also serves as a joyous gathering fit for congenial socialising (though it's immensely raucous for some, given its coincidence with St Patrick's Day) and, perhaps most importantly, an occasion to dress up in country-inspired clothing, naturally finished with a Christys' felt hat or woollen cap.
