One of the world's more interesting dress occasions begins at the end of June this year. The Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames outside of London and it is the occasion for rowing club members to wear piped and/or awning striped striped blazers, like the one in the photo, in club colors.
While the event is open to the public, the more prestigious viewing locations have dress codes. The Stewards' Enclosure is the best known of these, and there men are required to wear a "lounge suit, blazer and flannels, or evening dress, and a tie". Unfortunately, it is also quite crowded and drinking is not permitted in the locations from which one can see racing. An invitation to the Remenham Club is a more flexible option.
Those men unable to attend can still dress in Henley style: white flannel trousers, a blue blazer worn with a necktie and a boater or a panama hat.
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6 comments:
Hi Will,
Great blog! I will be attending Henley and have done so every year since I raced there as a school boy.
Whilst it is a great for showing off your sartorial elegance, with those in the 'know' being able to spot oarsmen of different clubs just by the cloth pattern of their blazer or tie, people trying too hard with no affiliation to a club and wearing a snazzy blazer are somewhat looked down on.
My take would be that if you have no affiliation to a club it's best to stick with a smart navy blazer, flannels and shirt/tie combination of your choice.
Henley takes place on the 1st to 5th July this year (the finals always fall on the first Sunday in July). As a member of the Stewards' I will be attending several days. On the Saturday I am having a picnic with some friends in Duke Meadows.
I'll be wearing the Garter Blue and White stripped blazer of Canford School 1st VIII, a friend of mine will most probably be in his Dark Blue blazer of Oxford University blue boat (having won the Boat Race this year) and a Great Britain tie having raced at the Beijing Olympics last year. Come over and say hello if you're in the area!
James
Well written, James, Henley is always a pleasure, especially catching up with old friends from University. Steward's and The Leander are the places to be, the latter in the evening at the very civilised bar. Normally not wearing much pink, the Leander pocket square and socks go well with my college boater and tie. The Leander does Associate Memberships for non - oarsmen. One of the highlights of the season! And an occasion to wear those white flannels. By the way, "no drinking" areas at the river are strictly enforced.
I wish I could attend somehow magically! I was a coxswain for the UC Davis men's crew team last year, and coxing in regattas is so thrilling! Generally, watching isn't as fun, but I think that surrounded by hundreds of well-dressed men and women who are rowing fanatics could be quite entertaining.
Especially if things like this don't happen. (That happened last year at the San Diego Crew Classic. The big event happens around 1:20... Poor kid. The entire boat's reactions are devestatingly funny. It was completely hilarious to all of the onlookers. Video sales of the event skyrocketed the second it happened. You can hear the announcers advertising!)
-S
Shawna's Study Abroad
Great Video, Shawna! Poor crew - swimming won't make them win the prize.
There was an American uni crew at Henley, a couple of years ago I think, whose 3 man's blade snapped just after the start. He just ditched the blade and dived in after it. I think they still won...
There's a video on the web somewhere but I can't find it.
lOKKING FOR A BLUE AND WHITE STRPE BLAZER ALL rUSELL cROWE INTHAT FILM BOUT WINE.aNY IDEAS
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