Royal Ascot - New Dress Code

New Dress Code Guidelines for Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot is the highlight of the year in the racegoer's calendar and also a wonderful occasion for dressing up, drinking champagne and wearing a hat! 

This year the guidelines for the dress code have been amended.  Most importantly, those ladies attending the Royal Enclosure must be wearing a headpiece which covers at least 1/3 of the head, or in other terms , covering at least 4 inches.   Ladies attending the main Grandstand must also wear a  headpiece,  but this can be a fascinator, headband, hatinator or hat!

Ladies Royal Enclosure New Dress Code

Ladies formal day wear is a requirement  in the Royal Enclosure, defined as follows:

Headpieces must be worn.  Either a hat or a headpiece which has a base of 4 inches (10cm) or more diameter is acceptable

.   

These lovely Ava fascinators or hatinators as they have become called, are the perfect alternative to the formal hat.  Still complying with the regulation of covering at least 4", they are much more versatile to wear than a hat.  The hatinator can be sewn to a comb, a thin hairband or as in the case of the Aimee, secured with a crocodile clip.

• Dresses and skirts should be of modest length defined as falling just above the knee or longer. Midriffs must be covered.
• Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater.  Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch (2.5cm) are not permitted.
• Trouser suits are welcome. They should be of full length and of matching material and colour.

Grandstand Admission New Dress Code
Ladies within the main Grandstand enclosure are encouraged to dress in a manner as befits a formal occasion. 

• 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)

• Midriffs must be covered

• Shorts are not permitted.

Silver Ring Dress Code

Whilst racegoers are encouraged to wear smart clothes, no formal dress code applies .