Summer may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean there are no more highlights to look forward to. In August Blenheim Palace will play host to Salon Prive, an exclusive five-day event that offers motoring enthusiasts the opportunity to peruse a selection of the world’s finest cars while experiencing top-flight hospitality and a retail village housing luxury brands from across the globe.
As with many top-class events, there is a dress code to follow, and shorts and t-shirts are strictly prohibited. We’ve collected our recommendations here to ensure that you can both fit in, and look your best.
What to Wear to Salon Prive Concours Wednesday and Thursday, Ladies Day Friday
The weekday dress code for men is “formal garden party”, with a recommendation towards a suit or blazer and chino combination. With high temperatures abounding throughout June and July it’s still sensible to opt for fabrics that won’t retain heat, making linen and cotton the two top choices.
When choosing between light or dark tones, it’s helpful to remember that while light colours reflect more heat, dark colours absorb not just the heat but also a larger proportion of UV energy from the sun, making a case for choosing either in the right circumstances.
The wearing of hats is encouraged on Friday, which is Ladies Day.
What to Wear to Salon Prive on Supercar Saturday or Supercar Sunday
The weekend dress code is a little more relaxed, with “garden party” style the aim and objective. The restriction on shorts and t-shirts remains in place, however, so you may prefer to opt for blazer and chinos over a full suit.
The wearing of ties and bow ties is encouraged no matter which day of the week or weekend you are in attendance, and rather than keeping things too prescriptive, we’ll provide a link to our full range further down this article.
Suits
Robert Old Beige Pure Linen Suit
Handcrafted in Italy, our beige linen suit offers the optimal choice for refined summer dress. Breathable linen will allow you to stay cool, while practical details like the interior pockets mean you are well equipped to enjoy the show.
Robert Old Dark Green Pure Linen Unlined Suit
This year’s Salon Prive features a special celebration of cars in emerald green, and this linen suit lets you gently nod towards that while also featuring the all-important choice of a breathable fabric.
Blazers
Cream Loro Piana Cotton & Silk Jacket
Blending breathable cotton with the smoothness of silk, this is a truly luxurious choice for any summer event. Crafted in Italy, it’s extremely lightweight, ensuring that whether you’re wearing it or carrying it, you won’t feel encumbered.
Robert Old Turquoise Blue Loro Piana Wool, Silk, & Linen Herringbone Jacket
Combining wool, silk and linen, this jacket may err slightly warmer than our other recommendations, but we feel this is more than offset by the beautiful turquoise blue colouring. A cupro lining helps to ensure you won’t feel the heat too much, and there are pockets for both documents and a pen.
Black Loro Piana Cotton Velvet Jacket
Opt for something a little different with our velvet cotton jacket in black. Pairing well with a lightweight rollneck jumper in grey or white, it harnesses a legacy that calls back to a golden era of motoring, and adds a dash of old Hollywood style.
Chinos
Robert Old Sage Green Stretch Cotton Twill Slim Fit Chinos
Our sage green chinos will pair well with a beige jacket, offering a complementary colour that’s refined enough not to distract. The construction is 98% pure cotton, with a tiny proportion of stretch fabric contributing to an overall higher comfort factor.
Robert Old Butter Stretch Cotton & Linen Twill Chinos
Created exclusively for our shop, these butter cream chinos will complement most lighter fabrics, although in this case they’ve been chosen to pair with our turquoise jacket. The cotton and linen blend is particularly effective at reducing heat retention.
Robert Old Charcoal Stretch Cotton Twill Chinos
To pair with our black cotton velvet jacket, we’ve selected these chinos in charcoal, which avoids a uniform look without clashing. As with the other chinos featured here, the construction is flexible, without adding too much warmth.
Brogues
Crockett & Jones - Pembroke Dark Brown Scotch Grain Shoes
Offering comfort, style, and a construction that will last for many a future Salon Prive, Crockett and Jones Pembroke brogues are the perfect choice for the day, and with a fanbase that includes former 007 Daniel Craig, you’ll be in good company.
Crockett & Jones - Westbourne Black Calf Oxford Shoes
Offering subtler brogue detailing are Crockett & Jones Westbourne shoes, available in both black and chestnut.
Ties and bow ties
Ties and bow ties are encouraged at Salon Prive, strongly so for those dining in the hospitality areas. You can view our full range of ties and bow ties here.
Important things to remember when dressing for Salon Prive
- No shorts or t-shirts permitted
- Wearing of bow ties and ties is encouraged
- If attending on Friday (Ladies Day) wear a hat
As with any high-profile event, the main aim should always be to enjoy yourself, and making the right wardrobe choices will only help to facilitate this. If you’d like to discuss particular requirements or need more advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
