Fashion

Tradition meets style

THE FASHION LAWS OF ROYAL ASCOTT

From June 17 to 21, all British hats and fascinators (a cross between a hat and a hair accessory that Kate Middleton is so crazy about) will be taken out of their boxes. Off to Royal Ascott they go, the poshest racetrack in the world, located in the shadow of Windsor Castle. If you want to count a bit in apparent circles, you need to be there.

Costume crisis

We women often have a hard time finding a suitable suit, and Royal Ascott doesn't make it any easier. A lot is expected of you style-wise, you see. On the other hand, there is a battalion of strict rules, and woe betide you if you don't comply. Then you will be sent home ruthlessly. Even if you've paid your £530 entrance fee a hundred times. No thanks is the motto.

This is what you wear

Fortunately, they are not the worst, those types from Royal Ascott. To prevent missteps, they made a very pleasant collage and even a video to show you what to wear. Even if you’re not bidding and waving, it’s always nice to know how it’s done. Even if it’s just to talk about it.

Cressida and Kate, pay attention!

There is a difference between the royal box and the grandstand admission (where the common folk sit), but for convenience, I’ll stick to the royal corner. Ultimately, you aim for a hand kiss from William or Harry, right? Because that’s what the gentlemen do there, hand kissing. And drinking beer, of course, that too.

Here come the rules!

  1. Dresses and skirts must be of a decent length. Just above the knee but preferably longer.
  2. If you want to wear pants, then these full length and jacket and pants must be of the same material and in the same color.
  3. Spaghetti straps and other fine materials are only allowed if they are 2.54 cm (1 inch) wide. You probably weren't planning on it, but bare stomachs and midriffs are, as you suspected, strictly forbidden.
  4. Hats are mandatory. You can also opt for a headpiece or a fascinator, but they must be of substantial size. A hair brooch won't cut it.
  5. Then the men. They must wear ‘morning dress’, you know, that suit that has to be pulled out of the closet when a regular suit isn’t enough and a tuxedo is too much.
  6. The shoes of the men must be black. Here too, it applies (at least in the Royal Enclosure) hats should be worn.

And for visual fun, here’s this delightful video. Where English primness and their stylish rock meet. Brilliant. I’m going to or hang myself on an Instagram drip of all the cool chicks parading there.