Has Cheltenham become the new Aintree? Guests heading to race day swap fancy fascinators for high hemlines and

It's viewed as one of the most important days in the racing calendar, with royals and A-listers in attendance.

But Cheltenham has gone from being a picture of sophistication, where guests would don tweed suits, feather fascinators and shawls to a much more casual affair.

Revellers at this year's meet have hiked up their hemlines, chugged beer and Red Bull and ditched Jimmy Choos for thigh high boots and trainers in a move that has led to comparisons with Aintree, the Merseyside meet famed for it's rowdy crowds and street style.

Last year, the Jockey Club scrapped its strict dress code at its racecourses in the hopes of encouraging a younger crowd to racing events, with jeans and trainers no longer looked down upon, and 'come dressed to feel your best' guidance in place.

The formal dress codes - which often included a jacket and tie - were dropped in an effort to make horseracing more 'accessible and inclusive', the Jockey Club said in an announcement.

Cheltenham has gone from being a picture of sophistication, where guests would don tweed suits, feather fascinators and shawls to a much more casual affair. Pictured left, a guest in 2019 and right a guest yesterday

Revellers now wear trainers to the meet (right) a far cry from previous styles (left)

Guests at this year's meet have hiked up their hemlines, chugged beer and red bull (right). Left a guest in 2019

The only exceptions to the new policy at any of the 342 fixtures staged by The Jockey Club is offensive fancy dress or offensive clothing of any kind and replica sports shirts. 

This means trainers, tracksuits and ripped jeans are now allowed and punters seemed to take advantage of this.

While Cheltenham is owned by the Jockey Club, the course never had a formal dress code. 

However, in previous years men would wear suits and women would wear smart dresses and heels, while jeans and trainers were usually avoided. 

But this year, stilettos were were traded in for trainers, and traditional long dresses were hiked up.

Noughties fashion seemed to be in vogue, with people opting for rara skirts and blazers.

Revellers at Aintree in 2023. They Merseyside meet is known for its vibrant fashion and more relaxed dress code compared to other more tweedy racing festivals 

Revellers were seen in good spirits on day two of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse yesteraday

Traditional LBDs, worn in 2019 left, have been swapped for rara skirts and chunky belts (right)

While checkered prints have always been worn, such as this ensembled in 2019 (left) they've swapped suits for hiked up hemlines (right) 

It comes as the racecourse announced they will hand out fashion awards to both men and women on 'Style Wednesday' after ditching Ladies Day.

Day two of the prestigious four-day event is known for attracting a host of royals and celebrities alike as they show off their sartorial prowess while enjoying a day out at the races in Gloucestershire.

Some excited racegoers even start planning their outfits for the popular occasion six or so months in advance.  

But now, the famous event that was once called Ladies Day has been 'downgraded' to Style Wednesday, with the Jockey Club, which runs 15 courses across the UK, also ditching the Best Dressed competition.

Instead, the day now includes the Slow Fashion awards, open to both men and women, which 'celebrates vintage and borrowed items, as well as investment pieces'.

The second day of the four-day festival hasn't officially been labelled Ladies Day since 2018; last year it was billed as Festival Wednesday.

But fans on X were equally disappointed with the move to rebrand the second day as 'Style Wednesday', with one person writing: 'Who on earth gets paid to come up with this nonsense? Oh for the days when racing was felt worthy enough on its own.'

Nevin Truesdale, Chief Executive at The Jockey Club, said: 'Horseracing has always been a sport enjoyed by people from all different backgrounds and it's really important to us to be accessible and inclusive.

'We hope that by no longer placing an expectation upon people of what they should and shouldn't wear we can help highlight that racing really is for everyone.

'For those who visit our venues, a day at the races is all about spending quality leisure time with friends and family and we believe people enjoy themselves best when they feel relaxed. A major part of that is wearing clothing which you are comfortable in.

it's easy being green! A reveller put on a glamorous display in a teal dress and matching faux fur stole 

Guests were spotted brightening up the dreary day in check coats, vibrant hats and colour coordinated ensembles as they kicked off St Patrick's Thursday

Ladies in red! In 2019, the rouge look came with a longer dress coat and heel, now it's been shortened with boots added

The mob wife aesthetic seemed to be in this year, with fur coats (right) replacing silk numbers (left, 2019)

Revellers often dress to the nines for the occasion. Charlotte Blenkinsopp (left) and Lystra Adams from Cheltenham  are pictured in 2019

Revellers weren't afraid of thigh-skimming skirts for the day out, and even casual denim 

One racing fan donned a daring dress with a thigh high slit, but had to use her scarf to shelter from the rain 

Keeping it casual! Friends decided to wear jeans but kept a nod to tradition in with their coat colours  

White dresses seemed to be the order of the day, including a short blazer style number worn by reality star Sophie Brown who appeared on Married At First Sight UK

'While The Jockey Club has a rich heritage and history it is also a forward-thinking organisation which places a great emphasis on diversity and inclusion and always seeks to reflect modern trends.

'So, when we reviewed this area of the raceday experience, it has been clear to us that enforcing a dress code seems rather outdated in the 21st Century in the eyes of many of our racegoers.

'Of course that doesn't mean we are discouraging people from dressing up for a day at the races if they want to. 

'This is about giving people a choice and the opportunity to come racing dressed however they feel most comfortable and confident, while also bearing in mind the challenges regularly presented by the British weather.

In the past, entry into some enclosures has required the wearing of a jacket and tie while sporting trainers has also been frowned upon.

Truesdale added that the new rules should remove any 'ambiguity or uncertainty' about how people had to dress at the track.