Royal Ascot with The Mall, Camberley
Royal Ascot is as much about fashion as racing, from the 17th -21st June over 300,000 people descend upon the small Berkshire town to enjoys the thrills and spills of race day and whilst parading around in the latest attire.
Each year the media highlights those that took first place in the fashion stakes and those that trailed behind and in many cases did not finish the race!
So if you are attending Ascot or an Ascot themed party this year make sure you have read The Mall, Camberleys dos and do nots for dressing for the occasion.
There are many general rules that all visitors to Royal Ascot should adhere to. Those through bred ticket holders lucky enough to have entry to the Royal enclosure have obviously the strictest rules.
Ladies should dress in formal day wear. Now what is formal daywear, well dresses and skirts should be of a modest nature falling to or just above the knee. The micro mini must never show its face in the presence of Royalty. With dresses or tops theses should have straps of 1 inch or greater i.e. spaghetti straps do not get a get look in. Dont think you can hide inappropriate clothing under a jacket or pashmina as even under external garments your hem length and strap size should be appropriate and rule conforming. Try the gorgeous Karmen Lace Dress from Monsoon or Embellished Chiffon Nude Dress from Topshop.
If you shy away for de-rigueur fashion for dresses then ladies are allowed to wear trouser suits, but they must be of matching colour and material. All clothing should cover ones midriff, which for many of us is a must to hide our spanx. The hat or the fascinator is the debate but, not in the Royal Enclosure. Fascinators are not considered to be a hat, any head piece must cover ones head by at least 10cm. If youre looking for a gorgeous statement hat, head over to House of Fraser to try their Untold Epsom Feather Trim Mid Brim Hat Majenta on for size, and find the beautiful Mini Spot Fluted Crin On Band Fascinator from Accessorize if youre looking for something simple.
Women may have a long list of dos and donts but for the gentlemen it is quite simple, morning dress. The only decision within this is grey or black? Complete the look with a waistcoat and tie (no cravats) and you are done. Even the shoe colour is chosen for you men, its black, black or black! The Claudio Conti Lace Up Formal Shoe from Deichmann is just what youre looking for.
The only exemptions to the above are service men and women and overseas visitors who may wear their military uniform or national costume.
Grandstand Admission race goers have the choice to follow the dress code for the Grandstand or that of the Royal Enclosure. Ladies must still dress with the same level or decorum with regards to hemlines and strap widths but you are allowed to wear a fascinator instead of a hat. Gentlemen ticket holders can swap the morning suit for a smart regular suit. Youll find a fantastic range of suits and more at Skopes Menswear in House of Fraser, such as the Madrid Suit.
Those visitors with tickets to the silver ring and Heath Enclosure do not have such guidelines for their clothing, instead they are just encourages to wear smart clothes.
To summarise… – Ascot is a fun day out! – Be organised with your clothing, maybe with our Great British weather have the choice have 2 outfits, one for hot summers day and 1 for the more likely rainy day. – Think about heels, a spiky heel may create a fashion statement but sinking into the grass after a couple of glasses of Pimms creates another type of statement. The Arista Abe Nude Womens Smart Shoes from Clarks are just the trick! – A large part of the Ascot experience is the food and drink. If you are taking a picnic then your picnic style must reflect your Ascot style. This is not plastic bags and jam sandwiches. Look for stylish hamper sets, travel chairs and wine coolers. Find picnic hampers, blankets, and much more from stores including Wilko, House of Fraser and Poundland. – And lastly, enjoy the experience and no matter what happens we are British and make the best no matter what ever the weather.
Hats Untold Ascot Windowpane Bow Large Brim Hat, House of Fraser, £90 Untold Epsom Feather Trim Mid Brim Hat Majenta, House of Fraser, £85
Fascinators Mini Spot Fluted Crin On Band Fascinator, Accessorize, £29 Beatrice Beaded Disc Fascinator, Accessorize, £35
Dresses Karmen Lace Dress, Monsoon, £99 Embellished Chiffon Nude Dress, Topshop, £68
Womens Shoes Arista Abe Nude Womens Smart Shoes, Clarks, £44.99
Mens Suit Skopes Madrid Suit, House of Fraser, items from £32.50 to £80
Mens Shoes Claudio Conti Lace Up Formal Shoe, Deichmann, £19.99
Picnic Hamper Linea Urban Explorer 2 Person Hamper, House of Fraser, £70
Picnic Glasses Plastic Wine Disposable 8 Pack, Poundland, £1
Picnic Rug Wilko Camper Get Outdoors Picnic Rug Polkadot Blue 133cmx148cm, Wilko, £10