Everything you need for the boat race.

The time has come where we swap the sports that are about pummelling people senseless and kicking balls around things for the ones involving very little physical contact and lots and lots of cocktails. (For the audience at least.) Yes, it’s almost time for the Henley Regatta, which is always one of the more sartorially acceptable events in the sporting calendar and is particularly so this year, thanks to the involvement of MR PORTER’s favourite British watch brand Bremont, which has become the first ever official time sponsor of Henley Regatta for 2017. This, of course, makes perfect sense – founded in 2002 by brothers Messrs Nick and Giles English, Bremont not only counts double Olympic rowing champion Mr Alex Gregory among its many ambassadors, but has its headquarters, rather conveniently in Henley on Thames, the site of the race. This year’s partnership therefore, not only seems inevitable, but will make choosing a timepiece for the event that little bit easier. But what of the rest of your outfit? Scroll down, and kit yourself out for a summer of very civilised sport.

Boglioli is one of the brands we always instantly recommend when it comes to the navy blazer, and this offering from its latest collection is very much true to form for the Italian brand. We particularly like its wool herringbone fabric, which, if you look closely, has a pleasingly textured slub finish, giving it a slightly more sturdy and sporty finish than your typical gabardine model. Wear it over a blue cotton shirt from relaxed tailoring brand Barena – its half placket design brings to mind the ease of a polo shirt, but its cotton poplin fabric keeps the whole thing smart enough for the boat club.

Socks or no socks? On the one hand, people tend to opt for a wardrobe that’s that little bit more traditional at boating events. On the other hand, it’s summer. Tricky eh? Thankfully, there’s less of a grey area around the right kind of shoes: a pair of brown leather loafers from British shoemaker George Cleverley will serve you perfectly for the sporty, smart casual environment you’re likely to find in Henley. Wear them with hosiery of your choice (or not) and a pair of beige cotton chinos from Incotex.

You don’t really need much of an excuse to wear a Bremont watch. A British-designed, -manufactured and -assembled model such as the Alt1-C ultimately speaks for itself, with its military inspired stylings, incredibly accurate BE-Valjoux 7750-SO BI AC movement, and smart, hardened stainless steel case. But if you’re looking to justify the purchase with a topical event, Henley is certainly the way to go. And while you’re at it, you might want to pick up a panama hat – this is one of the few occasions when this piece of headgear is not just acceptable, but compulsory.

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