Royal Ascot (which takes place this year from Tuesday June 18 to Saturday June 22) is a bastion of British tradition and elegance, and invites attendees to indulge in a day of horse racing and high fashion.
However, amidst the glamour lies a strict dress code that every guest must navigate. From the formal Royal Enclosure to the more relaxed Windsor Enclosure, understanding the rules is paramount.
Recent years have seen a shift in attitudes, prompting various questions on the dress code: Are tattoos permitted? Can shoulders be bare?
All of the rules can get quite confusing, but have no fear, as we’ve got you covered.
So, whether you’re suiting up in a morning coat or slipping into a chic dress, rest assured your attire will exude the sophistication this prestigious event demands.
How strict is the Royal Ascot dress code?
The Royal Ascot dress code is renowned for its strict adherence to tradition and elegance, particularly within the Royal Enclosure.
While the Village and Windsor Enclosures offer a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, all attendees are expected to uphold a certain level of propriety, and you will be turned away if you don’t meet expectations.
What items are prohibited at Ascot?
Ascot’s dress code outlines several items that are prohibited across the Royal, Queen Anne and Village enclosures. A general rule of thumb is that the more exclusive the enclosure, the stricter they are with prohibited items of clothing.
The Windsor Enclosure is almost exempt from prohibited items, as on the Royal Ascot’s website, it cites ‘no official dress code,’ however, they add that ‘guests are encouraged to dress in smart daywear’.
We will break down the extensive rules per Enclosure further in the article, but the general prohibited items across the Royal, Queen Anne and Village Enclosures include:
- Strapless, off-the-shoulder or sheer tops and dresses: Attire that exposes too much skin, such as strapless, bardot or sheer tops and dresses, are deemed inappropriate for the occasion.
- Midriff-baring outfits: Outfits that reveal the midriff are not permitted, as they do not align with the event’s standards of modesty and elegance.
- Shorts, leggings or trainers: Regardless of gender, these are considered unsuitable for the Royal Ascot, as they are deemed too casual.
- Novelty patterns and fabrics, and any novelty fancy dress: Any clothes or accessories including, for example; slogans, phrases, promotional messaging, brand logos or cartoon imagery are prohibited.
What are the rules for ladies at Ascot?
The Royal Ascot’s women’s dress code is steeped in tradition, and there are a few key rules to follow. It’s important to note that each enclosure has its specific dress code, which we have detailed further down, but as a general rule, women should follow:
- Modest dress length: Dresses or skirts should be of modest length, falling just above the knee or longer.
- Straps or sleeves: Dresses and tops should have straps at least one inch wide, ensuring a modest and tasteful appearance.
- Headwear: Hats or headpieces are a mandatory accessory for most ladies attending the Royal Ascot. There are varying rules regarding the headpieces and hats based on your enclosure type, but they, of course, add a touch of elegance to your ensemble.
- Smart attire: Ladies are expected to dress in smart attire, so opt for an elegant dress or a stylish power suit.
What are the dress codes for each enclosure?
The Royal Enclosure
This enclosure exudes exclusivity and demands the epitome of sophistication. After all, it’s where The Royal Family will be hanging out.
Men
For men, morning suits are non-negotiable, complete with a waistcoat, tie, polished black shoes, and the iconic black or grey top hat.
Morning suits must be black, grey, or navy, and patterns must be kept to a minimum on ties, unless that is, it’s of a patriotic nature. Bow ties and cravats are not allowed.
There are even rules on when and where you’re allowed to take your top hat off. The official Royal Ascot website states it ‘may be removed within a restaurant or Private Box,’ as well as ‘within an enclosed external seating area, terrace, balcony, or garden.’
If you’re wondering where on earth you’re going to get your hands on a morning suit, Moss Bros is Ascot’s official suit hire partner. When it comes to top hats, they recommend checking out Oliver Brown.
Women
Ladies must dress up in their best formal daywear, ensuring dresses or skirts fall just above the knee, or longer.
Sheer fabrics aren’t permitted, though lace and chiffon fabrics are allowed, and shoulder straps must be a minimum width of one inch.
Halterneck dresses and tops, as well as strapless, one-shouldered or spaghetti-strapped dresses and tops are also prohibited, but an open-backed dress is allowed as long as it adheres to the above.
Visible midriffs are also a huge no-no, and any jumpsuits worn must fall below the knee and comply with shoulder strap requirements.
If opting for a trouser suit or co-ord, according to the guidelines it must be of matching material and colour. However, an image of an outfit suggestion on the same page shows a woman wearing a blue blazer with a pink pencil skirt. Do with that information what you will.
Hats must be worn, although headpieces with a solid base of four inches or more in diameter are permitted.
If you need some recommendations of where to find outfits that follow the rules, Ascot has partnered with L K Bennett for a collection. Karen Millen, Sister Jane and Vivienne Sheriff are also great sites to check out for appropriate ensembles.
Juniors
When it comes to juniors, those aged 10-17 should dress per the above dress codes.
However, a headpiece or fascinator may be worn as an alternative to a hat, without any size requirement.
Juniors under 17 may also wear morning suits, but alternatively, a dark-coloured lounge suit with a collared shirt and necktie is permitted.
Others
The only exclusions to these rules are for those who are overseas visitors or military personnel – typically invited guests of the Royal Family.
Overseas visitors are allowed to wear the formal National Dress of their country, and if their National Dress does not include a hat or headpiece then they do not need to wear one. Religious headdresses are also permitted in place of a hat or headpiece, and serving military personnel are welcome to wear Service Dress or equivalent.
The Queen Anne Enclosure
While slightly more relaxed than the Royal Enclosure, the Queen Anne Enclosure still maintains an air of refinement.
Men
Men won’t have to wear morning suits or top hats here (though they can if they want to) but are required to wear a full-length two or three-piece suit.
Jackets and trousers should be of matching material, and the same rules as the Royal Enclosure apply when it comes to shirts, ties, shoes and socks.
Women
While a lot of the same rules as the Royal Enclosure apply to ladies, there’s a slightly more relaxed approach to certain areas.
Here, halterneck straps are allowed, and there are no minimum lengths to skirts and dresses. That said, jumpsuits still have to fall below the knee.
They are also allowed to wear a headpiece or fascinator here with no restrictions on diameter.
Juniors
Luckily for parents, things are significantly more relaxed for children in the Queen Anne enclosure.
It’s stated that: ‘Those aged 10-17 should dress in accordance with either of the above dress codes although hats, headpieces and fascinators are not compulsory.’
Children under the age of nine still have to be dressed smartly, but are not required to wear a jacket or tie with their trousers and shirt.
Others
When it comes to overseas visitors and military personnel, the same rules apply as in the Royal Enclosure.
The Village Enclosure
A relatively new addition, the Village Enclosure offers a vibrant and relaxed atmosphere.
Men
Men attending the Village Enclosure are encouraged to wear smart attire, such as blazers and trousers, but are free to be a bit more fashion-forward with their choices.
Unlike the two above enclosures, their suit jacket or blazer can be of a different material to the trousers, and they can wear any style of full-length trousers or chinos, as long as there’s no denim.
Here, they can accessorise with a necktie, a bow tie, or a cravat, and although they have to wear a collared shirt, there aren’t any specifications on shoes (other than no trainers and socks which cover the ankle.)
Women
For women, there isn’t a noticeable difference from the guidelines of the Queen Anne enclosure, other than there doesn’t seem to be a specification on the width of straps.
Strapless, off-the-shoulder, one-shoulder and sheer tops and dresses are still not permitted, and exposed midriffs are still off-the-table.
Juniors and Others
These rules are the exact same as those in the Queen Anne Enclosure.
The Windsor Enclosure
As the largest and most accessible area, the Windsor Enclosure welcomes a diverse array of attendees.
Surprisingly, there is no official dress code for the Windsor Enclosure, meaning people can go wild with their fashion choices.
The only items that are prohibited here are fancy dress, alongside novelty and branded or promotional clothing.
There is, of course, an expectation that people will dress a certain way though, and we can’t imagine turning up in a Juicy Couture tracksuit would go down well.
Guests are encouraged to go for smart daywear, with a hat, headpiece or fascinator encouraged for ladies, along with a jacket and collared shirt for men.
Are tattoos allowed at the Royal Ascot?
In recent years, Royal Ascot has surprisingly adopted a more modern approach to tattoos.
While tattoos were once taboo in formal settings, they are now generally accepted at prestigious events like this. That said, there are still considerations to bear in mind.
While Royal Ascot doesn’t have a strict policy against tattoos, opting for clothing that allows tattoos to be easily concealed, especially if they’re extensive or prominently displayed, is advisable.
How to cover up your tattoos
If you’re heavily inked – or maybe you have some funny ones that could garner a few sneers – and they can’t be covered by clothing, don’t stress, as there is a way to mask them.
Metro.co.uk spoke to TV makeup artist Alaw Cynfal, who recently worked on Sky History’s The Guilty Innocent.
Alaw said: ‘It’s a shame that people feel pressure to cover up tattoos in certain environments, but it’s actually fairly easy to cover them up well, and on a budget too.’
All you’ll need are three items; an orange colour corrector, a translucent loose powder, and a heavy-duty concealer which matches the skin tone of the area you’re covering. All of these are available from the likes of Boots and Superdrug.
Step one: Apply a layer of your orange colour corrector all over the tattoo that you would like to cover up, then take a sponge and lightly dab it into the skin.
It’s important you don’t over-blend here, you need to ensure the tattoo isn’t showing through, and you can also use your finger to help blend the edges into the skin.
Step two: Apply the loose powder over the orange area with a powder puff and use pressure to make sure the product is set in place.
Once this is set, is looking matte, and isn’t tacky, dust away the excess with a fluffy brush.
If the tattoo is still visible at this point, you’ll need to go back and repeat from step one again, remembering to set this with powder, too.
Step three: Apply your full coverage concealer on the tattoo only, not the general area which we’ve just covered, and blend out with a dense blending brush. The tattoo should start to disappear.
Ensure you tap the product into the skin rather than using a gliding motion, otherwise the product underneath will be removed.
Step four: Once blended into the skin seamlessly, apply the loose powder once again with a powder puff using pressure and dust away with a fluffy brush, the same as step two.
If at this point, you are still not happy with the coverage level repeat step three and four to finish.
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