Formal Dress Guide - Cowes Week

Cowes Week is held for a week at the beginning of August. The regatta takes place at Cowes on the Isle of Wight off England's south coast.

Every level of sailor can be found amongst the competitors. Cowes Week is not just for racing - there is a comprehensive social scene from parties and balls at the yacht clubs to private functions, with fireworks on the Friday evening to provide a wonderful finale to the week ending on Saturday.

Cowes Combined Clubs run the regatta, which is an association of the famous Royal Yacht Squadron, Britain's premier sailing club, the Royal London Yacht Club, the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and other clubs based in Cowes. During the course of the week each club hosts cocktail parties and balls. The acceptable dress at cocktail parties is generally lounge suit, whilst the balls demand dinner suit (black tie) or mess dress which is worn by club members.

Entry to these clubs during the day is less formal, smart sailing gear being quite acceptable, with the exception of the Royal Yacht Squadron which demands a more formal dress code throughout.