Get The Look – Outerwear Perfect for Blenheim Horse Trials

Deciding what to wear for Blenheim? Look no further, Country Classic Lucinda has got you covered.

We are just days away from The SsangYong Blenheim Palace Horse Trials beginning. Running 19th to 22nd September, it’s time to get our outfits ready and head over to Blenheim Palace in breathtaking Oxfordshire. Blenheim Palace is home to the Dukes of Malborough, and boasts a stunning backdrop for the Four Star Horse Trials.

The first two days of the Horse Trials are Dressage days, then the weekend hosts the thrills and spills of the showjumping and cross country. There is also entertainment and attractions, as well as a hound parade on the Sunday.

The shopping at Blenheim of course has to be mentioned, because when do I not want to add to my shopping addiction! A couple of my favourites to look out for: Fairfax and Favor, of course, Ben will have done an outstanding job with their stand as always, and I have no doubt you will be drawn in to have a quick try on of something! Grays Est 1922, they do such beautiful equestrian themed handbags, I don’t go anywhere without mine! Kin Vodka – I first tried this at the Three Counties Show a few years back and it totally changed my mind about vodka. Their toffee vodka is not too sweet, but is so smooth, once you’ve tried it you probably won’t want to drink anything else, so definitely go and give that a sample. Lastly, The Flying Fox – this is luxury lifestyle interior and every time I go in, I come out with a list as long as my arm of things I would love for my house! They have a ‘shop and drop’ Blenheim meaning you don’t have to wait until the end of the day to buy, manically trying to remember where you saw everything – perfect! Trade stands open from 9am, with late night shopping held on the Thursday!

So, with all of this excitement just around the corner, I wanted to share with you some outerwear pieces perfect for layering at Blenheim Horse Trials this year. This includes a variety of jackets, gilets and capes, perfect now the weather has turned and there is that Autumn feel in the air. Despite the weather looking good for Blenheim so far, we are in September now and it’s likely you’ll need that additional layer with you for the day. The colours I have gone for are mainly Autumnal tones.

Check out some of the outfit ideas below to give you some last minute inspiration for your own outfit choices. I’m going to keep this one short and sweet for you!

What about a wrap?

This is the ultimate layering choice. I love wearing a wrap as you can put as many or as few layers as you like underneath, and you can do all of this without the bulk. A wrap simply slips over your head, leaving your arms free (for all those shopping bags!). This design is also perfect for warmer days where you also just want a light additional layer. Wraps are also usually one size, meaning an exact fit isn’t required- so much easier when ordering, if you’re anything like me, I seem to spend more time sending back additional sizes purchased more than anything else!

The Windsor Natural Check Wrap by Leger and Oaks is a perfect layer for Blenheim, whatever the weather. The check is a really beautiful pink/lilac colour tone, you could really pick out one of these colours with the rest of your clothing or accessories to draw attention to the colourings. There is a lovely cream paisley lining to the wrap, I love the attention to detail and luxury feeling this adds to the wrap. It also has silver buttons along the shoulder seam.

I have paired the wrap with some white jeans, and over the knee boots. I haven’t worn white jeans for a while now and I had forgotten how great they are for styling. The don’t take away anything from the outfit, so if you have a statement piece they are perfect for showing this off. I have popped a burgundy roll neck under the wrap, this allows the colour of the junper to show through the sides and compliment the check, but you really could put anything underneath the wrap.

I have my trusty Fairfax and Favor Amira Boots on. These have only a small heel, and are really comfortable, so you will be absolutely fine walking around a horse trials in them. They also come as a flat style, so if you don’t like a small heel, there is another option. These are in tan, complimenting the base colour of the wrap.

My ‘go to’ Grays Handbag just had to feature with this outfit. Not only is it big enough to fit everything unnecessary that I take along with me, the brown tone matches perfectly with the colour theme of the outfit.

Overall, if the weather looks changeable, a wrap is the perfect go to item, meaning you can layer as much or as little as you want underneath, without the bulk and restriction that you may feel with a jacket or coat!

Outfit details

Wrap – Leger and Oaks (Find me here)

Roll Neck – Primark

Boots – Fairfax and Favor

Hairband – Primark

Bag – Grays Est 1922

Jackets are a jewel!

This jacket from Welligogs is actually the jacket I opted for at Burghley only a couple of weeks ago. I love the green and blue tones within the check, it has a lovely Autumnal feel, without the weight or bulk of a big heavy coat. There is moleskin lining to the collar, cuffs and pockets adding extra detailing.

This jacket features a slightly longer cut, which I think is really flattering. This is such an elegant jacket and it could be worn in so many different ways. It would be really easy to dress up or down, so whatever your Horse Trials style, you could make this jacket work for you.

I have paired the look with some white jeans, a tan fedora and Fairfax and Favor boots, in keeping with the brown colour towns within the jacket.

I have chosen the Windsor Basket Bag by Henrietta Spencer to finish off this look. A sizeable bag – perfect to fill with everything you need for the day, and the over the shoulder leather straps mean your arms won’t get tired carrying everything around.

A classic, flattering fit jacket will keep you looking effortlessly stylish all day, whatever you chose to layer it over. This particular jacket has such a lovely lightweight feel, so whilst adding an extra layer, there isn’t the weight and bulk you may feel with some other designs.

Outfit

Jacket – Welligogs (Find me here)

Hat – High Bird Designs

Boots – Fairfax and Favor

Bag – Henrietta Spencer

Belt – Hicks and Brown

Gilets that are gracious!

If you’re wanting to add an additional layer, without going for a coat or jacket, a gilet will be perfect for you.

You’ve probably seen the Sporting Hares Willow Gilet creeping up on my Instagram page quite often. I absolutely love this gilet, and like mentioned above, it’s the perfect additional layer. The gilet is a blue fleece and lined with a brown suede. Perfect for everyday layering, the colour of this gilet means there isn’t an outfit it won’t go with- perfect!

You can layer simply over a top or jumper, or add the gilet as your middle layer, under a jacket or coat. As the weather for Blenheim is currently looking good, I have simply paired this look with a roll neck and Joules tweed skirt.

I normally opt for the largest bag possible when attending an event, as i have to pack all of the unnecessary items that I really don’t need, and never use. However, I have used this gorgeous JJR Bespoke clutch bag here to add a pop of different colour to the outfit. If I took this clutch it would also encourage me to take only the essentials – besides there is a ‘shop and drop’ so you don’t need space in your bag to carry around all of your purchases with you!

A gilet is the perfect, everyday layering, wardrobe essential. This colour will match any outfit and is perfect to throw on additionally – whatever the weather!

Outfit

Gilet – Sporting Hares (Find me here)

Hat – High Bird Designs

Roll Neck – Primark

Skirt – Joules

Bag – JJR Bespoke

Watch – Morris Richardson

Boots – Fairfax and Favor

Beautiful Blazers!

A blazer (or several!!) is an essential for any wardrobe. You really can dress a blazer up or down, smart or casual, making it perfect for any sort of occasion. A nice, fitted blazer will add a stylish twist to any outfit you are putting together.

The My Best Friends Wardrobe Sussex Blazer is no exception- I just love this. The blazer is white with a subtle gold check throughout and gold buttons. The material is textured which gives a luxurious feel. The blazer has a structured shoulder and is a flattering fit.

I’ve gone for a very brave white outfit for the first look. I am pretty much guaranteed to spill something, or possibly even fall over during a day out, so all white is always a risk, but I was so excited to show you just what you could do with such a striking blazer, particularly in this colour.

I’ve paired the first look with a hairband, burgundy jumper and chocolate Fairfax boots, creating a very classic, stylish look. The second look includes a fedora, faux fur and a skirt. Whatever style of outfit you enjoy putting together, this blazer really could work for you.

I’ve matched my Fairfax and Favor tassels to the colour of my jumper and belt, to add a slight colour pop to this outfit.

Outfit

Blazer – My Best Friends Wardrobe (Find me here)

Hat – High Bird Designs

Hairband – Primark

Roll Neck – Primark

Skirt – Joules

Belt – Hicks and Brown

On second thoughts, a Snood!

Perhaps you’re not wanting to go for a jacket or gilet at all, maybe you’re not quite ready to swap your seasonal wardrobe, or maybe Blenheim does surprise us with some really nice weather. But if you’re still wanting to add a slightly autumnal tone to your outfit, a snood could be the perfect accessory for you.

Are you familiar with a snood already?

The idea of a snood is that it can be worn around the neck as a scarf/neck warmer, or it can be folded up over the head to create a hood. This is the perfect accessory as the weather is starting to change.

This snood is one of the tweed and faux fur designs from Frank and Grace. I’ve paired it with both jeans and a skirt, so that you can see how versatile it looks. I’ve also shown it with a blazer and with a roll neck jumper.

I love the style of a snood and if you are wanting to hold onto the fact we are not quite into Winter weather yet, it’s the perfect addition to your outfit, adding extra warm, without the bulk or laying of a coat or jacket.

Outfit

Snood – Frank and Grace (Find me here)

Hat – High Bird Designs

Roll Neck – Primark

Skirt – Joules

Boots – Fairfax and Favor

Bag – Henrietta Spencer

Watch – Morris Richardson

Belt – Fairfax and Favor / Hicks and Brown

So there we have it, a couple of looks featuring some outerwear now our weather is starting to change!

Don’t forget with this varied weather, there are still perfect layering items available that are practical and will keep you looking stylish. I hope you loved the looks above, I can’t wait to see some of the outfits you put together!

If you are off to Blenheim, I hope you have a really fabulous time.

Until next time,

Lots of love, Lucinda xo