Royal Ascot Revision

In the lead up to Royal Ascot its always best to revise the Dress Etiquette Rules - I do it every year, just to make sure if anything has changed to have a quick look at the style guide and to pop the dates in my calendar.

Please have a read through the guidelines and for any other etiquette and manner advice for all occasions and take some direction from the beautiful and English Etiquette Expert Emma Dupont from her website:

www.etiquette-and-manners-for-the-contemporary-woman.com

For any Bespoke Enquires it is best to book an appointment please give us a call on 0207 4937067 or send an email to [email protected]

Incredible embroidery from Lauren DiCioccio for the 2015 Royal Ascot Campaign

Men’s and Women’s dress requirements slightly change depending on which enclosure you are in. With the most etiquette rules we will start with:

Royal Enclosure

LADIES

Ladies are kindly reminded that formal daywear is a requirement in the Royal Enclosure, defined as follows:

Dresses and skirts should be of modest length defined as falling just above the knee or longer.

Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater.

Jackets and pashminas may be worn, but the dresses and tops underneath should still comply with the Royal Enclosure dress code.

Trouser suits are welcome. They should be full length and of matching material and colour.

Hats should be worn; a headpiece which has a base of 4 inches (10cm) or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.

I advise that the smallest base is a similar style to ‘Mia’ but for Ascot you can take free reign for extravagance and larger pieces help you create that Drama

Such as ‘Bella’ from our SS15 collection - in a bespoke colour to your outfit

Ladies are kindly asked to note the following:

Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps are not permitted.

Midriffs must be covered.

Fascinators are no longer permitted; neither are headpieces which do not have a base covering a sufficient area of the head (4 inches / 10cm).

GENTLEMEN

Gentlemen are kindly reminded that it is a requirement to wear black or grey morning dress, which must include.

A waistcoat and tie (no cravats)

A black or grey top hat

A gentleman may remove his hat within a restaurant, a private box, a private club or that facility’s terrace, balcony or garden. Hats may also be removed within any enclosed external seating area within the Royal Enclosure Garden. The customisation of top hats (with, for example, coloured ribbons or bands) is not permitted in the Royal Enclosure. 

Black shoes

Incredible embroidery from Lauren DiCioccio for the 2015 Royal Ascot Campaign

GIRLS

Girls (aged 10-16) should dress for a formal occasion. Smart summer dresses are suggested. Hats, headpieces and fascinators may be worn but are not compulsory.

BOYS

Boys (aged 10-16) should dress in accordance with the gentlemen’s dress code, or may wear a dark-coloured lounge suit with a shirt and tie (no hat required).

OVERSEAS VISITORS

Overseas visitors are welcome to wear the formal National Dress of their country or Service Dress.

SERVING MILITARY PERSONNEL

Serving military personnel are welcome to wear Service Dress or equivalent.

 

Incredible embroidery from Lauren DiCioccio for the 2015 Royal Ascot Campaign

GRANDSTAND ADMISSION

Grandstand Admission racegoers have the choice to follow the dress code for the Grandstand or that of the Royal Enclosure.

LADIES

Ladies within the main Grandstand Enclosure are encouraged to dress in a manner as befits a formal occasion.

Ladies are kindly asked to take particular note of the following:

A hat, headpiece or fascinator should be worn at all times.

Strapless or sheer strap dresses and tops are not permitted.

Trousers must be full length and worn with a top that adheres to the guidelines above (i.e. strapless or sheer strap tops are not permitted).

Jackets and pashminas may be worn but dresses and tops underneath should still comply with the Grandstand Admission dress code.

Midriffs must be covered.

Shorts are not permitted.

GENTLEMEN

Gentlemen are required to wear a suit with a shirt and tie.

GIRLS

Girls (17 or under) should be dressed for a formal occasion. Smart summer dresses are suggested. Hats, headpieces and fascinators may be worn but are not compulsory.

BOYS

Boys aged (13-17) should wear a suit or jacket with a shirt and a tie. Younger boys (12 or under) should be dressed smartly but are not required to wear a jacket or tie.

SILVER RING & HEATH ENCLOSURE

Although no formal dress code applies in the Silver Ring Enclosure and Heath Enclosure, racegoers are encouraged to wear smart clothes.

Please note that bare chests are not permitted at any time.

 

FANCY DRESS

In addition to the dress code advice, please note that fancy dress, novelty and branded or promotional clothing is not allowed within the racecourse during Royal Ascot. There may be instances where a degree of discretion is required in determining compliance with the Royal Ascot dress code. In such instances, reasonable judgement will be exercised.

ASCOT RACEDAYS

Guidance is provided on how to dress for a day at the races (for racedays outside the Royal Meeting).

PREMIER ADMISSION

FLAT SEASON (MAY TO OCTOBER)

Ladies should dress as for a smart occasion.

Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket with a collared shirt and tie. Trainers are not allowed.

Children aged 17 and under should adhere to the Premier Admission dress code, however this does not apply to very young children.

Please note that fancy dress, novelty and branded or promotional clothing is not permitted within Premier Admission.

JUMPS SEASON (NOVEMBER TO APRIL)

Gentlemen usually wear a jacket with a collared shirt and tie, and ladies like to dress as for a smart occasion. Whilst this style of dress is preferred in Premier Admission during the Jumps season, it is not compulsory.

Please note that fancy dress, novelty and branded or promotional clothing is not permitted within Premier Admission.

GRANDSTAND ADMISSION

Whilst we encourage racegoers to wear smart clothing, no formal dress code applies in the Grandstand Admission area during either the Flat or Jumps season. Bare chests are not permitted at any time.

FANCY DRESS

Fancy dress is permitted at Ascot Racecourse within the Grandstand Admission area on all days outside Royal Ascot. However, fancy dress will not be permitted if it is liable to cause offence to any other racegoers on religious or sexual grounds.

Ascot Racecourse reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone deemed to be dressed inappropriately. If your party is considering wearing fancy dress, please call the Sales Team on +44 (0)844 346 3000 in order to avoid any disappointment on the day.

London Milliner and bespoke hat designer Laura Apsit Livens creates the highest quality head pieces from her Mayfair studio and showroom in central London