EXCLUSIVE Inside Henley Royal Regatta: Blazers, boats and the best sparkling wine, writes REBEKAH ABSALOM
I'd heard whispers of blazers, boat shoes and sparkling wine, but nothing quite prepared me for the full spectacle of Finals Day.
Set along the River Thames in the picturesque town of Henley-on-Thames, the regatta is a rich blend of high society, sporting and buzzing crowds.
On the final day of racing, the energy is palpable - from the roar of supporters cheering on the crews to the clinking of glasses in the enclosures.
Whether you're there for the elite-level sport, the social scene or simply the people-watching, Henley delivers a quintessentially British summer experience like no other.
Attracting more than 300,000 visitors across six days, the event hosts over 400 races - and carries a long-standing royal seal of approval.
It was granted its 'Royal' title in 1851 when Prince Albert became its first royal patron, a tradition upheld by every reigning monarch since.
Style is a big part of the spectacle, with two main enclosures offering different dress codes.
The exclusive Stewards' Enclosure - which runs along the main stretch of river -requires formal attire: dresses or skirts below the knee for women, or tailored trouser suits.
The Regatta Enclosure, meanwhile, is more relaxed, where summer tailoring, nautical stripes and smart-casual dresses are the order of the day.
Embracing the theme, I wore the Kami dress by Ghost, a navy and white midi with a contrast collar and tie-front detail. I teamed it with M&S ballerinas and the Mosaic bag by Strathberry - a brand worn by a host of royals, including Catherine, Princess of Wales, Sophie, Duchess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice and Zara Tindall.
The official website mentioned that hats were customary, so I added a straw boater from John Lewis.
I overheard someone say, 'People used to dress up with heels and hats - now it's a lot more relaxed.' And they weren't wrong. Many guests were mixing club blazers with floaty dresses and trainers, striking the perfect balance between tradition and comfort.
In fact, blazers were everywhere. Bright, striped, colour-blocked or piped, they were impossible to miss.
At Henley Royal Regatta, these jackets do more than make a fashion statement - they represent rowing clubs, history and crew pride.
The Lady Margaret Boat Club of St John's College, Cambridge, is credited with pioneering the look in 1825, donning 'blazing red' jackets - hence the term 'blazer'.
Made from thick wool flannel, they were designed to keep rowers warm during early morning outings on the river.
That said, there's also an earlier tale - one that traces the term back to the crew of the HMS Blazer, who famously wore navy and white striped jackets.
Either way, the blazer evolved into the now-iconic style we associate with rowing today.
We were lucky to access the Stewards' Enclosure, reserved for members and guests, with front-row views of the racing and the riverbank's historic buildings.
Rows of branded deckchairs lined the lawn, and shaded seating came in handy during a couple of sudden downpours. With a relaxed buzz and prime viewing, it was the perfect spot to soak up the day.
Just outside the enclosures, a range of food stalls served everything from dumplings to wood-fired pizza, while a mint green vintage double-decker bus - run by Nyetimber - offered glasses of its signature English sparkling wine.
Its flagship Classic Cuvée (available at Majestic and Sainsbury's) is produced in the traditional Champagne method and delivers flavours of golden apple, honey, sweet spice and toasted brioche. It's as delicious as it sounds.
There are plenty of shopping opportunities too - from Crew Clothing's regatta-themed pieces (the blazers and polka-dot dresses were everywhere), to gifts and homeware.
This year also marked a special collaboration: a limited-edition Merrythought bear dressed in a miniature Crew blazer and wearing a replica of the Stewards' Member's Badge, released in honour of the Regatta's new royal patron, King Charles.
Only 150 bears have been made, all handcrafted and available exclusively on site and online.
Elsewhere, a nearby bandstand played cheerful live music, adding to the celebratory spirit of the day.
There's no doubt that Henley Royal Regatta is the most prestigious rowing event in the world - the crown jewel of both the summer sporting calendar and the British social season.
Conveniently located just outside London, it's a brilliant day out, offering a unique blend of sport, style and tradition.
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