Blue skies and warm summer sunshine mark the arrival of the season’s most anticipated social event: The Royal Ascot. An occasion steeped in tradition and grandeur, it’s more than just a date in the diary, it’s a moment. And what better way to honour it than through what we wear? With tulip silhouettes, cinched waists, and this summer’s signature palette and prints making the rounds, one could say dressing for Ascot is relatively straightforward, don’t you think?
Still, this year’s dress code leaves no room for interpretation. Skirts and dresses must sit below the knee, shoulder straps need to meet specific measurements, and your look should hold a consistent colour flow from head to toe. And of course, no ensemble is complete without a hat or headpiece that’s just non-negotiable. With different dress codes across each enclosure, now’s not the time to get it wrong.
As the date creeps closer and shopping baskets begin to overflow, so does the pressure. But don’t stress each enclosure comes with its own style brief, and I’ve covered every corner.
The Royal Enclosure: This is where refinement takes centre stage. An invitation here isn’t just a ticket, it’s a cue to bring your A-game. From the polished guest list to the prosecco on pour, this space demands nothing short of perfection. Grand hatinators, sculptural dresses, and well-chosen heels are just the start. Thankfully, with brands like LK Bennett on board, there’s no shortage of standout pieces. Remember: this is dressing for royalty.
Coast, Lace Midi Wrap Top Full Skirt Dress, £139, KURT GEIGER, Serena Heel, £99, Accessorize, Natural Rhea Oversized Bow Fascinator Headband, £37.50, CHARLES & KEITH, Lennie Chain-Strap Top Handle Bag, £75.00, FABLE, Forget-Me-Not Bracelet, £32, Ted Baker Gold Tone Florelle Pearl Flower Drop Earrings, £45, Marc Jacobs Perfect Eau De Parfum 100ml, £57.95LAVISH ALICE, Salma Fluted Sleeve Longline Fishtail Midi Dress In Yellow, £168, CELINE, Wallet On Chain Margo In Shiny Calfskin, Light Lilac, £1,500, Stuart Weitzman, Stuart Power 85 75MM Patent Leather Pumps, £499, Lock&Co Hatters, Aries, Pale Yellow Fedora Hat, £1,395, JIMMY CHOO, Ribbon Ring, £315, Jon Richard, Gold Plated Large Dome Pearl Earrings, £15, Coach, The Fragrance Eau de Parfum, £79LK Bennet, Vita Petite Cream Blend Tweed Sleevless Dress, £399, CHARLES & KEITH, Wynn Recycled Polyester Pointed-Toe Sculptural-Heel Slingback Pumps, Green, £69, Kate Spade, Liv Shoulder Bag, £295, Hostie Hats, Balfour Pillbox Hat, £229, POLENE, Éole Curled Earrings, £150, CHANEL, CHANCE EAU FRAÎCHE, 50ml, £92
Queen Anne Enclosure: The rules are still in place, but there’s more room to breathe. Dresses, tops and skirts (knee-length or longer), even tailored jumpsuits and suits are welcome, as long as everything feels pulled together. It’s a great opportunity to layer, mix textures and try something a little different. Holland Cooper does this beautifully, blending heritage and polish in equal measure.
Holland Cooper, High Waisted Straight Trouser Pink Chalk Stripe, £299, with Hampton Waistcoat, £299, and Knightsbridge Blazer, £399, Aquazzura, 85mm Bow Tie pumps, £422, Monica Vinader, Siren Muse Bold Ring, £180, SORU, Daphne Oz X Soru The Bomboloni Coin Earrings, £220, Hobbs, Catherine Leather Wristlet Bag, Pink, £75, Phase Eight, Flower Oval Fascinator, £79, Gucci Guilty, Pour Femme, 90ml Eau De Parfum, £138Coast, Petite Large Rose Print Twill Dress, £119, Vivien Sheriff, Gin Fizz, £2,300, JIMMY CHOO, Blue Azia 95 Heeled Sandals, £675, Swarovski, Drop earrings, Blue, Rhodium plated, £69, Penhaligons, Bluebell, Eau de Toilette, 100ml, £140, Carolina Herrera, Matryoshka Flora XXS - Mini Handbag, £660Ted Baker, CASLA, Floral Print Detail Column Midi Skirt, £179, Harrods, AEXAE, Wool Twill Waistcoat Top, £350, RALPH LAUREN, Logo Reversible Leather Skinny Belt sage green/buff, £89, Gucci Horsebit Sandal, £655, Hatsbycressida, Marissa Large Statement Derby & Ascot Saucer Hatinator, £300, Abbott Lyon, Amazonite Clover Studd Earrings, £55, and Amazonite Clover Bracelet, £89, Fendi, FF Diamonds Continental With Chain, £630, BURBERRY, Her Blossom Eau de Toilette 100ml, £118
Village Enclosure: Queen Anne, but with a laid-back elegance. The dress code still applies, but there’s space to have fun. This is where fluid fabrics, soft tailoring and fresh silhouettes really shine. Brands like Reformation and Club L London are embracing the mood, turning the outfit search into more of a styling treat than a chore.
Reformation, Veria Silk Dress, £448, MANOLO BLAHNIK, BB CALF, Taupe Calf Leather Pointed Toe Pumps, £650, Tocchic, Elegant cream fascinator small, £80, Yves Saint Laurent, Uptown Pouch In Micro Raffia, £430, BURBERRY, EKD Sphere Stud Earrings, £190, MISSOMA, Sculptural Molten Cuff Bracelet, £198, Dolce & Gabbana The One Eau de Parfum Spray 75ml, £109Club L London, Monte Carlo Black And White Striped Square-Neck Drop-Waist Midi Dress, £180, John Lewis Betty Woven Downturn Brim Bow Hat, White/Black, £115, Cornelia James, Mia Silk Glove with Side Bow, £175, DIOR, Adiorable Pump, £890, LILY & ROO, Gold Single Pearl Choker, £65, MYTHERESA, JENNIFER BEHR Gretel embellished earrings, £170, Jean Paul Gaultier La Belle Eau de Parfum, 50ml, £95, LULU GUINNESS, Lulu Red Lulu Phonebox Clutch, £345Lily Silk, Silk Turtleneck Ribbon Blouse, £165, CHICWISH, Luxurious night Bowknot pleated midi skirt in champagne, £32.92, LK Bennett June Closed Courts, Lilac, £279, TIFFANY&CO, Bean Design Earrings, £430, Jon Richard Cream Medium Fascinator Headband, £30, Tory Burch, Women's Romy Bucket Bag, £440, DIOR, Purple Oud Unisex eau de parfum - spicy and oud notes, 100ml, £255,
Windsor Enclosure: A little more relaxed, but no less stylish. The official guidelines might ease up, but that doesn’t mean we let standards slip. No jeans, no shortcuts. Sophisticated daywear is still very much the expectation. So bring on the tweeds, bouclé, florals and pastels, this is where comfort and elegance meet.
CAPRILITE, Cream Ivory and Green Wedding Swirl Fascinator Headband Alice Band Ascot Races Loop Net, £29.99, Karen Millen, Green Rose Twill Maxi Split Dress, £149, GIANVITO ROSSI, Green Spice Ribbon Heeled Sandals, £780, Lovisa, Green Frosted Flower Drop Earrings, £12, GucciFlora Gorgeous Jasmine For Her Eau de Parfum, 30ml, £56, Mint Velvet, Cream Leather Bow Clutch Bag, £79Maniere De Voir, Christine in Indigo Gabardine Cinch Waistcoat, £70, and Creased Gabardine Trousers, £100, MANGO, Combined-strap heeled sandals, £45.99, OSPERY London, The Spritz Leather Clutch in Metallic gold, £195, Polene, Éole Earrings, £190, Ralph Lauren, Gold-Plated Logo Hinge Bangle, £119 and Gold-Plated Logo Hinge Bangle, £99ASOS, Collective the Label Curve puff sleeve cutwork lace mini dress in white, £58, Sophia Webster, Chiara Embroidery Mid Sandal, £485, COACH, Statement Flower Front Back Earrings, £150, Vera Wang, Lovestruck Eau de Parfum 100ml, £84, SWAROVSKI, Gema bangle Mixed cuts, Pink, Gold-tone plated, £220, Dune London, White Dinkydorry Mini 3 Part Tote Bag, £89
Because here’s the thing: anyone can show up to Ascot. But arriving with confidence, intention and an outfit that turns heads? That’s another story. So as we get ready for Ascot 2025, let’s see thoughtful styling, bold choices, and yes, hats worth talking about. Perfection is the standard. And no, I’m not just talking about your bets.
