Ascot hosts horse racing action throughout the year, but no meeting at the track is as prestigious as the Royal Ascot. The royal meeting was first held back in 1768, consisting of four days of hugely entertaining racing. The standout event of the week comes in the form of the Gold Cup, which was first staged back in 1807.
Tradition is a huge part of the day throughout the week-long event, and that is mirrored in the timeless fashion that visitors attending the racing wearing. The day kicks off with the Royal Procession at 2pm, before the racing action gets underway half an hour later. But, what should you wear if you’re attending Royal Ascot in 2023?
General Rules
There are slightly different requirements for Royal Ascot, depending on the enclosure where you will be located. However, as a general rule, it’s important to realize that the dress code will likely be more formal if you have paid top-dollar for the ticket to the event. And tickets can be quite expensive, but like any good horse racing event, there will be plenty of betting going on to win your money back. You can find odds for the event and how to wager at TwinSpires.com.
Below, we will go through the main enclosures for Royal Ascot, and assess the dos and don’ts when it comes to finding an outfit to wear.
Windsor Enclosure
The Windsor Enclosure is the less barred of the enclosures when it comes to what you can and can’t wear. Tickets for this section are the cheapest available, and it is often a standout choice for those looking to go out and enjoy all the racing on track, rather than use the day as an opportunity to get dressed up to the nines.
In the Windsor Enclosure, visitors will be encouraged to dress smart, but there are no formal dress rules. Therefore, hats can be worn if visitors wish, while there is no pressure for male visitors to wear a blazer. However, male visitors must still wear full-length trousers and a shirt.
Village Enclosure
The Villa Enclosure is one of the best areas to watch the racing while also having the added social element. There are lots of fancy pop-up bars scattered around this section, but entrance requires a more formal style for men and female visitors. Ladies will need to wear formal dresses, meaning that strapless or one-shoulder dresses can’t be worn. Meanwhile, hats or headpieces should be worn at all times by all visitors in this enclosure.
Females can also wear trouser suits, but they must be full length, and jump suits must fall below the knee as shorts are not permitted. For male visitors, a jacket is required at all times, while trousers must be full-length with a collared shirt. Ties must be also be worn at all-times, and bow ties are also allowed.
Queen Anne Enclosure
The Queen Anne Enclosure is the most exclusive ticket that the public can buy for Royal Ascot, and the strict dress code must be followed to ensure that visitors aren’t turned away and denied entrance. Once again, hats by all visitors must be worn at all-times, while dresses and tops must cover midriffs, with off-the-shoulder and strapless outfits not allowed.
Once again, all trouser suits and jumpsuits must be full length, and must abide by the dress neckline regulations. Male visitors must also wear suits at all times, with jackets and trousers matching the same color. Ties must also not be removed at any time of the day, and socks must be worn to cover the ankle.
Royal Enclosure
The Royal Enclosure is the most exclusive available to guests at Royal Ascot, and that comes with a number of strict regulations. For women, a headpiece must be worn at all-times, with hats preferred and strict dimensions followed. Dresses and skirts must be of a ‘modest’ length, and straps must be at least one-inch thick. Dress suits are allowed, but both the material and color must match.
Male visitors can wear a morning dress in either black, grey or navy, including a waistcoat and tie. Top hats must be worn throughout, and personalization is not allowed. Novelty waistcoats aren’t allowed, while shoes must be black and socks must cover the ankle.
