How to dress up for the Dubai World Cup

Pawan and Ashish of Knights & Lords offer styling tips for men who want to head to the event of the year

Dubai World Cup is one of the most exciting events in the social calendar of Dubai that is all set to take place on March 30 this year. It is also recognised as one of the most premier horse racing events, matching up to the sophistication and panache of the famed 'Royal Ascot' in the UK and the Melbourne Cup in Australia.
The Dubai World Cup has evolved majorly since 1996 when it was first held. Apart from the horse racing, it has hosted many headline concerts with international celebrities. The exciting event has further become synonymous with a fashion-led statement with the competitive 'Style Stakes' awards. The awards have prize categories for Best Dressed Gentlemen, Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Couple. While initially the ladies would be creative with their hats, accessories and ornate dresses, the gentlemen have lately taken it up seriously.
Conforming to the norms of race-going etiquette whilst showcasing one's individuality has been the mantra for gentlemen attending the races. This would mean giving the age-old traditional race wear a contemporary-yet-palatable twist.
Gentlemen can keep to the traditional way of dressing with a morning coat and top hat. A morning coat is always single-breasted with one and rarely two buttons on the front and styled with a pointed peak lapel. While it is an easy-to-wear grey morning dress with the same waistcoat, an interesting touch would be to wear different shades of grey for the waistcoat and trousers with a black morning coat and top hat. The waistcoat could either be single or double breasted with four or six buttons with single pleated trousers. If the trousers are matching with the coat, it is called a morning suit. With a black morning coat, trousers are often a contrasting colour of grey or a very particular and elaborate pinstripe of black and shades of grey, also known as cashmere stripes. Alternatively, an Oxford grey with white chalk stripes or a grey and black hounds-tooth set of trousers are other options. A plain grey pair of trousers in flannel can also be worn if a slightly relaxed look is to be achieved. The trousers are worn with braces or they are crafted with side tabs.
Gentlemen can also dress up in a contemporary manner with a two-piece or a three-piece suit. Wearing a two-piece could be with the combination of a double breasted blazer with bright colours of burgundy, royal blue or sandy beige with contrasted cotton chinos to give an effortless-yet-elegant look. To take it a step further, you may choose a cloth, which has either a bird's-eye or pin-head texture on it. Single breasted two-piece, though being the go-to suit for men, is better avoided for the day. A better option would be to wear a single breasted blazer with separate trousers or cotton chinos.
Three-piece suits would definitely be a more sartorial approach to dressing up appropriately for the big day. To make the suit more interesting, a gentleman may opt for a different-coloured waistcoat but it should be one that works with the entire suit. A more interesting aspect could be to go for a double breasted waistcoat, which has a contemporary look with a touch of heritage.
The choice of colours and patterns is very important. For two-piece and three piece suits, wearing a different-coloured or patterned blazer or a waistcoat will add personality to the outfit. Plaids or tartan checkered fabrics could effectively be either used for blazers or waistcoats to add that dash of individuality with the leisure outlook of the sporting day.
The most important thing to wear after taking the effort to dress appropriately for the event is the attitude of being a true gentleman. Carry yourself with a quiet confidence and etiquette of treating your lady with utmost respect followed by a meet-and-greet with a firm handshake and a warm smile while enjoying the pleasures of the memorable day.
Meet the authors Pawan and Ashish are bespoke tailors at Knights & Lords, a bespoke tailoring house in Dubai. They are inspired by the alchemy of craftsmanship and bespoke tradition aimed at re-designing the wearer's inner architecture. They have learnt the traditional craft of bespoke tailoring from Savile Row, London - considered to be the spiritual home of bespoke tailors even today. (www.knightsandlords.ae; bespoke@knightsandlords.com; www.instagram.com/knightsandlords)
wknd@khaleejtimes.com