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T H E B R I T I S H S E A S O N


Is there really such a thing as a traditional British “Season?” We’re not talking about winter, summer, autumn or spring. Instead, that capital “S” refers to a particular schedule of social events – a concept more often associ- ated with a bygone era of white-gloved debu- tantes and cocktails on the North Lawn. It’s true that the Season’s original purpose is


now obsolete. It first evolved during the 18th century as a vehicle for matchmaking, whereby the British aristocracy followed the movements of the Royal Family in and around London during the summer in order to introduce their sons and daughters to oth- ers of similar ages and suitable backgrounds. Nowadays, of course, the young and single


are more likely to meet online than in the Stewards’ Enclosure at Henley Regatta. Yet all the evidence suggests that the Season is still alive and thriving – even if it has moved on from its original purpose. You may even have taken part in it, if you’ve ever attended the races, the Proms, or a music festival during the summer. While Parisians might flock to the Cote d’Azur during the warmer months and New


Yorkers to the Hamptons, the Brits and Londoners dress up, assemble pic- nics and head out to picturesque parts of the British countryside to eat, drink and be entertained. So why does this old-fashioned so-


cial conveyor belt still appeal? We have a few theories:


Te Outfits Te Season wouldn’t be the same with- out a weird and wonderful dress code, whether it’s hats and frocks at Royal Ascot or boaters and blazers at Henley Regatta. Some dress codes are more es- oteric and strictly enforced than others; for example, rules on shoulder straps and hats in Ascot’s Royal Enclosure are described in centimetres and inches. Elsewhere, dress has evolved more or- ganically, usually determined by the weather or the level of formality. You wouldn’t usually be turned away from a polo match for wearing jeans, but many still take advantage of the sense of occasion to wear their best summer


“The Season first evolved during the 18th century as a vehicle for matchmaking.”


The Boat Race


Badminton


TO THIS Trooping the Colour


Have yo ben convncd t exploe th Seaon fo th firs time thi year? Here are some higligts:


Marc Cheltenham Festival,


the Boat Race


Apri The Grand National, the London Marathon


May Badminton Horse Trials, Chelsea


Flower Show and Glyndebourne Opera (until August)


Jun Trooping the Colour, Royal Ascot,


The Summer Exhibition (until August)


July Wimbledon, Henley Royal Regatta,


the Proms (until September) Glastonbury www.focus-info.org


August Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Cowes Week


FOCUS The Magazine 9


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