by I learned early not to wear a linen dress to Royal Ascot. When I joined the queue for the loo at Costa Coffee on High Ascot Street, wearing jeans, a T-shirt and a quirky Philip Treacy hat, I realized how many other people were undergoing the same last-minute fashion metamorphosis with me. Whether you’re traveling by car, coach or train, there’s no way to arrive on one of the most important days in the fashion calendar without amping up your linen wardrobe.
Royal Ascot is one of the highlights of my year – I’m lucky enough to have attended it many times, and I often go to a few days each year. I hope I have mastered the art of dressing for the occasion and how to pace one’s clothes over different days, facing the fashion challenge of bringing something a little different each time, as well as the nuances of each day. will give a meeting.
The world feels increasingly casual and the opportunity to dress properly is more important than ever. Ascot’s dress code represents more than decorum – it also represents a huge fashion business for designers and milliners alike; this is the Met Gala to showcase her best work.
“Royal Ascot is the most important event in the calendar,” says milliner Rachel Trevor-Morgan, “this week is the reason for all our efforts throughout the year. In an era when people are dressing down it’s a reminder of how joyful dressing up can be.”
Coping with the strict dress code (especially every day of the week) doesn’t have to be a chore, according to Daniel Fletcher, designer and creative director of Royal Ascot. “I think people are intimidated by the dress codes but when you break them down, they’re quite simple,” he says. “You may find a lot of pieces in your wardrobe that already fit the dress code.” I have good experience in recreating and reworking outfits that I have worn in previous years.
These days, I’d hope I’m more prepared than the girl in the Costa loos, but I’m still prone to last-minute costume panic. Planning for Ascot can be overwhelming, especially if you are attending multiple days. My starting point is usually to find one piece that I like – whether it’s a dress or a hat – and I build the outfit from there. “Find a shape that works for you and work around that,” says couturier Fiona Clare who regularly designs outfits for the Queen. “Try to wear something beautifully cut that fits you and you like your body. Tonal colors are great so you can mix and match.”
Many attendees, including the members of the Royal family – and of course, this was true of Elizabeth II – are known for their commitment to attend all five days, often with a different ensemble, great for all event. This ability to mix and match, as Clare puts it, is essential if you want to get more wear out of a piece. Assess what you already have, before buying anything new, and build your color palette accordingly.
Ascot doesn’t look too unusual, although for me this year it’s all about dressing in something that makes me feel confident and comfortable. The main thing I must have is a pair of practical shoes because you are guaranteed firm steps by the end of the day. A few Ascots ago, an American woman saved my raw feet: “Here’s some band aids!”
Block heels or espadrilles are a safe option. ITV RacingFrancesca Cumani once advised me to put talcum powder in my shoes to help with blisters, and I’ve never looked back.
My Ascot wardrobe: Everyday
This year I’ve decided to be a little more adventurous with my personal style and opted to wear a jumpsuit for the first time and more statement hats.
Opening Day
Wool crepe dress, £795, Beulah; Tweed shoes, £295, Russell & Bromley; Hat, £2,450, Jane Taylor London; Satin bag, £345, Lulu Guinness; Pearl and diamond rings, £1,800, Kiki McDonough
You want to look one day that will set the tone for a week of stylish ensembles. I have chosen a cream wool crepe Beulah dress which I have matched with pearl earrings from Kiki McDonough. My hat is from Jane Taylor, shoes from Russell & Bromley and bag from Lulu Guinness. The look is understated yet sophisticated, embodying the sartorial elegance that Ascot is known for. Monochrome outfits give a nod to the iconic My Lady look, not to be too literal.
Women’s Day
Lace dress, £400, Self portrait; Suede shoes £495; Emmy London; Hat, out of choice, Philip Treacy; Rings, from choice, Kiki McDonough
Women’s Day is quite the highlight and the fashion stakes are at their highest. It’s a day for peacocking and my Philip Treacy plum hat sets the mood perfectly. “I design hats to enhance the face in a particular way,” says Treacy. “It is essential to put a million dollars on oneself while remembering to increase the personality underneath.”
I’ve decided to let the hat do the talking and paired this with a simple Self Portrait lace dress with a kick skirt, heels from Emmy London and earrings from Kiki McDonough.
Mid Week
Wool crepe dress, from choice, Catherine Walker; Tweed shoes, £295, Russell & Bromley; Straw hat, £1,450, Rachel Trevor-Morgan; Leather bag, £365, Tusting; Rose gold diamond rings, £8,800, Boulders
I chose a soft pink Catherine Walker dress with a fitted bodice and layered skirt. I’ve paired it with a pink floral hat from Rachel Trevor-Morgan, diamond earrings from Boodles and my white bag from Tusting with matching shoes from Russell & Bromley. This ensemble strikes a balance between elegance and ease, capturing the relaxed mid-week vibe.
Gentlemen’s day
Double crepe jumpsuit, price on request, Emilia Wickstead; Platform shoes, £229, Penelope Chilvers; Straw hat, £575, Rachel Trevor Morgan; Raffia bag, £675, Stella McCartney; Opal and diamond rings, from a selection, Parkin & Gearod
I am stepping out of my comfort zone; this will be my first time wearing a jumpsuit to Royal Ascot. This day is all about tailored sophistication and my Emilia Wickstead jumpsuit is designed to reflect that. I’ve paired this with a less traditional hat from Rachel Trevor-Morgan to contrast the structure of the jumpsuit, wedges from Penelope Chilvers and a raffia tote bag from Stella McCartney to complement the hat and rings from Parkin & Gerrish.
Last Day
Embroidered silk organza dress, £1,795, Erdem; Leather shoes, £295, Camilla Elphick ; Hat, out of choice, Stephen Jones; Gilded earrings£125 and sapphire and diamond a ring£1,650, Parkin & Gerrish
Royal Ascot is an opportunity to show off your personal style. Whether you’re attending one day or all five, I think it’s important to try and make sure each day is a triumph of style that deserves the winner’s enclosure. I intend to go for gold on the last day in a beautiful silk organza dress from Erdem embroidered with small bouquets of flowers. I felt this complemented the wonderful Stephen Jones hat – a nod to his Welsh heritage. I love the detail on this hat and it matches my own country upbringing. I finished off with some gold leaf earrings from Parkin & Gerrish.
