As we all recover from the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations and look forward to the next event of the season, Royal Ascot, I thought I would post a couple of the outstanding images from Ascot 2021. These images need no introduction. Both convey the real sense of enjoyment and anticipation inherent with attendance at Royal Ascot and the range of stunning outfits and millinery..
If you are lucky enough to be going to a race meeting such as Royal Ascot this year, when preparing for your trip, it’s important to remember that Ascot – along with other high profile race courses – operates dress codes that vary according to the enclosures you have chosen at the race course. Fortunately, this means there are lots of fashion options.
The only enclosure where the Royal Ascot style guide does not apply is the Windsor Enclosure. For this enclosure, the guide suggests smart casual wear is appropriate. So hope for great weather and choose a hat, headpiece or fascinator that works with your outfit. There are options in my Ready to Wear store, where prices start from £75, that you could consider for the Windsor Enclosure. The shade cards indicate the range of available colours for this Dior bow inspired fascinator, but please get in touch for more details.
The Village Enclosure is slightly more formal – the first stipulation is that a hat, headpiece or fascinator is to be worn at all times. Off the shoulder or bare shoulder dresses are not allowed, and if wearing a trouser suit, the trousers should be full length. There is guidance about footwear and the size of hats, given the terrain in the enclosure. So here are a couple of headwear suggestions for the Village Enclosure. Please get in touch for more details.
This freeform hand-dyed tulip piece features a halo style headpiece with a base diameter of 4” (10cm) and could also be worn in the Royal Enclosure.
The Queen Anne Enclosure is more formal again. The dress code still stipulates that a hat, headpiece or fascinator should be worn at all times, and there is no advice about uneven terrain. However, off-the-shoulder or bare-shoulder dresses are not allowed, midriffs should be covered, and if you are considering wearing a trouser suit, the trousers should be full length. Larger scale hats such as this large button style parasisal with a cerise pink and red silk abaca wrap can be worn here. The shade cards indicate the range of available colours, but please get in touch for more details.
This piece features a freeform base and is suitable for the Queen Anne Enclosure.
Meanwhile there is a raft of dress codes in the Royal Enclosure, including guidance on dress length, strap widths, and covered midriffs. Trouser suits and jumpsuits are acceptable, and there is guidance about leg length. Hats with brims are favoured, as are headpieces with a sold base, 4” (10cm) or more in diameter. So a dramatic Atlantis inspired freeform headpiece with a full crown and integral veil or this burnished bronze Chanel inspired saucer would definitely fit the bill! Please get in touch for more details.
Please don’t panic though as there’s still time to choose a hat or headpiece for Ascot from my Ready to Wear Store! The prices in the store include UK delivery, and if required for next week, please ask for a quotation to upgrade your delivery to First Class Next Day Recorded Service.
As well as having an online ready to wear store, I also make to order. So, please get in touch for more details of my custom couture millinery service. As I make hats and headpieces to order, with this service, all my hats and headpieces are handmade by me to your order, to your specific size, colour and taste. Delivery from date of commission is 6-8 weeks.
I have a studio in central Newcastle and work from home just north of Alnwick, so I can meet there too to suit your schedule if you are located in North Northumberland. Please get in touch for more details on the millinery service I offer.
Photo credits –
Daniel Leal-Olivas / Getty Images
Chris Jackson / Getty Images