Royal Ascot takes place this week, and if the date has crept up on you and you’re in a panic about to wear, I hear you. If it’s not a shopping trip or a bottomless brunch (which means an elasticated waist, obvs), I’m always faffing over what to wear. I almost need it spelled out for me or I end up overdressed and feeling silly, or underdressed and feeling, well, silly again.
You’d think, in that case, that an event like Royal Ascot that actually gives you a dress code would make it easier, right? Well, it turns out, not so much.
Royal Ascot produces a style guide each year as each of its enclosures has different sartorial rules – get them wrong, and you’ll be denied entry, so pre-planning your outfit is key as it’s high stakes. Imagine being the only one of your friends to who didn’t know what to wear to Ascot and not be allowed in?! Awful.
Stylish Ascot-friendly dresses
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The style guide is brilliant for making sure you’re sticking to the requirements, but I’d argue your outfit is still dependent on who you’re going with and why.
Just think, you’d dress differently for all-day drinks with your friends, and a family day out at the Chelsea Flower Show, right? Ascot is no different. A day date might call for a pretty dress, fun earrings and high heels, whereas a work day out with colleagues might mean an I-still-mean-business coloured suit and walkable heels. See?
Fear not, here’s my handy guide to what to wear to Ascot this week, vibe dependent…
If you’re going to Ascot… for a work away day
In theory, it’s a fun day out with your colleagues where you can eat and drink to your heart’s content while bonding over betting, but you definitely want to bring your A-game, which means knowing what to wear to Ascot and dressing accordingly.
Now isn’t the time for your sexiest bodycon dress so you impress, and instead, go for something smart but fun, like a coloured trouser suit. Make sure you wear a matching set (just in case your company has access to a different enclosure where the dress code rules might change), and wear heels you know you can walk all day in.
If you’re going to Ascot… for day drinks with friends
If you’re in it for the day drinking, firstly, I don’t blame you, and secondly, you’ll definitely need a cute look to match the fun theme. Take the opportunity to showcase a fashion-forward look, and pair a bright top with wide-leg trousers and block-heeled mules.
If you’re going to be drinking prosecco from 12pm at Ladies’ Day, I’d recommend skipping a hat (too easy to misplace and a pain if it’s windy) and go for an oversized headband or pretty fascinator. Don’t forget jewellery – jazzy drop earrings or a cocktail ring scream main-character energy.
Read more on summer occasion dressing:
- How to dress for Ladies’ Day at the races
- 18 floral summer dresses that work for every summer occasion to buy in time for Chelsea Flower Show
- 9 festival-friendly outfit ideas for 2023 – sequins and wellies at the ready
If you’re going to Ascot… for a family day out
A day out complete with your grandparents and little siblings, and therefore, pictures galore, means a considered outfit so that you’re not regretting your look for years to come as the pictures get dragged up each year over a family dinner.
A pretty, modest dress is an easy win: think a shirt dress in a sweet pastel shade, or a printed maxi that’ll look great with strappy sandals. Rope younger cousins into taking your OOTD and bring along some Insta-worthy accessories: a feathered clutch, neon mules or mismatched earrings are perfect.
If you’re going to Ascot… on a date
Obvs you’re going to want to impress on a date and pull out the stops, so a flirty dress and show-stopping accessories are a must. If you have the fanciest ticket going, this Mango dress is perfect for the Royal Enclosure: it has straps wide enough and is the ideal length.
Go for low heeled mules in a pastel shade, and a chic giant hat. Jewellery-wise, small gold hoops and matching bangles are equal parts chic and pretty.
Chic dresses to consider for Ascot
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