Welcome to this weeks instalment of Amanda Zips It Up.
Let’s kick off with an outrageous bit of fashion news – as we love all things quirky and a bit off the wall here at Zips It Up.
Introducing the Balenciaga Tape Bracelet which looks exactly like… a roll of sellotape. The clear packing tape-inspired bracelet was launched last week at Paris Fashion week. We all know that high-end fashion brands have a habit of coming up with ‘unique’ ideas for their products, but this one sounds like an early April Fool’s joke.
It features the brand’s logo and comes in with an almost unbelievable price tag of $4,000 US. And yes – it’s sold out. Let the pictures speak for themselves… TikTok has gone mad for it… what do you think?
Moving on. Now whether you’re into horse racing, placing a bet or two or wearing a big hat to the Cotswolds, it’s a massive occasion to get dressed up, boozed up and possibly win or lose on the Gee Gees.
Yes, Mid-March holds one of the biggest events of the year – The Cheltenham Festival. That’s a mass horse jumping and racing competition if you didn’t know.
Although it holds no real interest for me whatsoever, we did go once to see our friend Frankie Dettori ride a few years ago and I loved the dressing up, the pompous regulations and general atmosphere of the occasion.
It was a Top-Hat & Tails affair, with Ladies celebrating their own day by donning hats taller than some of the jockeys themselves. Our late Queen was always a regular. Suffice to say, it was a ‘posh’ affair.
But in 2025, it’s all change.
The numbers of spectators have dwindled – according to the Cheltenham officials. But where are they all going? In a word…
Benidorm.
The British tourism boom – specifically to Benidorms’s New Town – which dates back to the mass growth of high-rise buildings some half a century ago gave the city its spurious “New York of the Mediterranean” nickname.
These days, close to a million Britons are estimated to visit annually, with four days in early March taking on ever greater importance. Barely a decade ago, Cheltenham festival week passed by largely unnoticed until a groundswell movement began in Benidorm. It’s now almost bigger than the event itself.
While Cheltenham’s new chief executive, Guy Lavender, grapples with falling attendances – in the build-up to jump racing’s showpiece event he confirmed “we are expecting fewer racegoers to be joining us in person this week” – those in charge of the multitude of Benidorm’s bars, pubs and hotels revel in what has become, for many, the most lucrative date on the calendar.
Going to the actual festival is just too expensive now and too busy, and you can barely see a horse up-close anymore and certainly can’t see the finish.
It’s now all about Benidorm It’s warm, friendly and clean. It doesn’t matter what age you are, this is the place to be.
There’s sunshine, nice weather, cheap beer and all races from Cheltenham are shown on big screens everywhere, what more could you want?
And what about that “Ladies Day”?
The concept of a day for women to show off their best looks at the races is said to date back to Queen Victoria wearing a hat at Royal Ascot in the 1830s.
The tradition has continued for many years, including at Cheltenham Festival, where the second day has long been referred to as Ladies Day.
Previously, Ladies Day was reserved for women to don designer and high-fashion brands, with some planning their outfits months in advance, along with A-list celebrities and high-profile racegoers showcasing their most picture-worthy outfits.
However, in recent years, the iconic day has undergone a transformation.
But in 2025, for the second year in a row, the ‘Ladies’ day’ will officially be known as ‘Style Wednesday’ instead.
The dress code was relaxed back in 2023, as organisers looked to be more ‘inclusive’ and help spectators feel ‘confident and at ease’.
Horse racing has always been a sport enjoyed by people from all different backgrounds, so has to be accessible and inclusive. That being said, high fashion is often on the agenda for attendees, with many using the event as an opportunity to showcase statement outfits.
But despite the new, more relaxed dress code, many still embrace the traditional race day fashion, with elaborate hats and fascinators.
On “Style Wednesday”, racegoers will embrace both sustainability and glamour by donning vintage and borrowed items.
The shift to Style Wednesday was a move towards promoting a more sustainable and inclusive view of fashion, as was the scrapping of the “best-dressed” awards.
Organisers now hope to encourage racegoers to ‘make more sustainable fashion choices’ while they showcase their ‘unique and personal style’.
Historically, while there is no official dress code for the Cheltenham Festival, attendees were expected to dress smartly.
Men typically wore suits, and women smart dresses, with jeans and trainers generally avoided. But that’s all changed. Nikes are allowed.
I for one think this is a great move for 2025. It still means the likes of Danny Dyer and Gemma Collins will be in the stands drinking champagne in the stands at 11am – that is probably one tradition that will never change, either in Cheltenham or Benidorm.
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