British High Society’s favorite equestrian week is about to start! The fancy Royal Ascot Horserace is iconic for the social and the fashion calendar of the UK. The Curator will be in England checking this event closely and we’ll share with you now everything we found out so far!

History and facts

Royal Ascot is a prestigious equestrian event that has a rich history spanning over 200 years, being renowned for its association with British nobility. The races attract around 300,000 guests annually. Queen Elizabeth II was a regular attendee (King Charles only joined for the last day in 2023) and owned several winning racehorses that competed at the event, and celebrities and socialites also grace the occasion. This year’s Royal Ascot runs from June 20 to 24. The event takes place at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England, which is about an hour outside of London.

Founded by Queen Anne in 1711, Ascot Horserace would cater to her interest in horse racing, a sport that has also interested many other royals. The Queen found a place where “the horses to gallop at full stretch”. However, the first Royal Ascot would only take place in 1807, when the Gold Cup was introducted as the trophy of the event. Ascot Racecourse is still property of the Crown, but it was officially opened to the public in 1813, giving people the opportunity to buy tickets and join. Since 1825, the event starts with a royal procession, a tradition started by King George IV.

Fashion Relevance

Beau Brummel, a close friend of the Prince Regent, declared in the early 19th century that elegant men should wear waisted black coats and white cravats. The dresscode of Royal Ascot would then start, and Mr. Brummel would be credited as the introductor and establisher of such habit. He revolutionized men’s fashion by advocating for elegantly tailored bespoke clothing over extravagant styles. He even spent five hours daily on dressing and suggested polishing boots with champagne (fancy, right?).

Proving the determination to stay relevant, Ascot's official Style Guide has been renamed the 'Royal Ascot Lookbook' for 2023. It also consists of six different fashion edits: Luxe, Tailoring, Pre-Loved & Rental, Vintage, High Street and Emerging Designer.

Dresscode

Nowadays, while it is expected from guests to come in formal daywear, the exact dress code is determined by enclosure. The enclosures are the different seating sections, and there are four at Royal Ascot: the Royal Enclosure, intended only for British royalty and their guests; and the ones that are open for the public: Queen Anne Enclosure, Village Enclosure and Windsor Enclosure. Discover the specific dressing requirements per enclosure:

Royal Enclosure: Ladies must wear dresses, skirts, or jumpsuits that hit at or below the knee. Trousers are allowed. Hats are mandatory, with a diameter of four inches or more. Men should wear black, gray, or navy suits with a waistcoat and necktie.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands with the Prince and Princess of Wales at Royal Ascot (Royal Enclosure) 2019.

Queen Anne Enclosure: Smart daywear. A hat, headpiece, or fascinator is encouraged for women, along with a jacket and collared shirt for men. Sheer straps or sleeves are allowed, and culottes are akin to dresses. No specific skirt or dress length requirement.

Fashion Blogger Josie (Fashion Mumblr) at Queen Anne Enclosure, 2018.

Village Enclosure: No official dress code, but guests are encouraged to dress in smart daywear. Socks covering the ankle are required when wearing full-length trousers. Ties (standard necktie, bow tie, or cravat) are acceptable.

Suggestion of outfits for the Village Enclosure. Picture by Damian Foxe

Windsor Enclosure: No official dress code, but smart daywear is recommended. Hats, headpieces, or fascinators are encouraged. Open-back dresses or tops are permitted, as long as they’re not strapless, off-the-shoulder, or Bardot style. Culottes are acceptable, and there’s no maximum skirt or dress length requirement. It is, in other words, the most “chill” of the enclosures when it comes to dressing.

Windsor Enclosure, friends enjoying the horserace. Picture by Manchester Daily.

The real stars of this event: Hats

Despite evolving fashion trends and style norms, the top hat continues to be an enduring element of the Royal Enclosure’s dress code, symbolizing Royal Ascot’s distinctive position in the racing calendar. The tradition of wearing hats to horse races dates back centuries, intertwining with the evolution of fashion and societal norms. In eras gone by, hats were an essential part of formal attire, symbolizing social status, elegance, and adherence to proper etiquette.

Even though the hats are only mandatory for the female goers of Royal Enclosure, the other three options of seats also encourage women to wear either a hat, a fascinator or a headpiece. While hats are not mandatory for men at Ascot, they are traditionally worn, especially in the Royal Enclosure. Top hats or formal fedoras are common choices, but stylish alternatives such as fedoras or trilbies are also acceptable.

Did you like to understand a little bit more of this British massive, grassy catwalk? The 2024 edition starts in three days, and if you are a joiner who still doesn’t know what to wear, get inspired by some of our curated references. Enjoy and maybe see you there! ;)