Tailor sees huge demand for men’s suits ahead of horse racing event

A fashion retailer has got its summer off to a racing start after reporting an upward trend in sales of made-to-measure tailoring suits during summer’s horse racing season.

Jesmond-based Jules B, is finding that men are stepping up in the style stakes for the racing season as much as the ladies after spotting a 200% increase in sales of men’s tailored suits from 2012/2013 as excitement builds for Newcastle Racecourse’s Northumberland Plate Festival, the most prestigious racing event in the North East calendar.

To reflect the fact that men are now taking dressing for a race day as seriously as the ladies - who famously dress to impress for the annual Ladies Day meeting at Newcastle in July, the designer clothing store has announced it is to sponsor the Best Dressed Male competition taking place during the Plate festival highlight – the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate Day on Saturday, June 28.

Since opening its doors in 1986, multi-award winning designer retailer Jules B now boasts eight stores across Newcastle, Cumbria and Cleveland as well as successful e-commerce business.

The winner of the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate Day Best Dressed competition will receive a made-to-measure suit up to the value of £750 and the runner up will receive a made-to-measure Eton shirt from Jules B, which is run by husband and wife team Julian and Rhona Blades.

Mr Blades, said: “As a brand we strive to promote individuality and self-expression when it comes to making sartorial decisions and Plate Day is the perfect platform to celebrate this.

“We are thrilled that we can put our name to and partner with such an influential regional event.

“Although traditionally the spotlight has been focussed on the ladies wear side of the marketplace, there has been a significant shift onto men’s fashion and grooming in recent years that is only showing signs of strengthening.”

David Williamson, executive director at Newcastle Racecourse said: “The Northumberland Plate Festival is one of our pinnacle fixtures, and a real highlight in the North East’s social, as well as racing, calendar.

“It’s a great chance for men to join the fashion fun and put on their finest outfits to look their absolute best - something that the women of the North East have been doing very well for many years. The demand that Jules B has seen really does reflect how popular the occasion will be.”

The three day Northumberland Plate Festival gets underway with the Betfred Seaton Delaval Trophy Raceday on Thursday, June 26 followed by the Betfred Gosforth Park Cup Night on Friday, June 27 and culminating with the biggest day of all on the Saturday afternoon when the £140k John Smith’s Northumberland Plate is run.

Historically known as the “Pitmen’s Derby”, this race first ran in 1833 and the race day is as popular today as it was back then.

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