Royal Ascot style guide 2018: The strict new rules for men and women

Prepare for the pomp

Brightly coloured garments, Hunger Games-esque visors and the most specific dress code imaginable: Royal Ascot 2018 is only a few months away.

But if you're going, you'd better start planning your outfit now: the style guide for this year’s fashionable event has now been revealed and the rules are as strict as ever.

Taking place from June 19 until June 23, men who decide to forgo socks could be refused entry to all of the enclosures.

"Additions to the official dress code in 2018 make socks a requirement for gentlemen," the Royal Ascot style guide reads.

"Our dress code is traditional, woven into the very fabric of our history."

On the website it is stated that the Ascot Racecourse can refuse entry to anyone who has not followed the dress code and is "dressed inappropriately".

So any men thinking of turning up to the summer event sans socks had better rethink their clothing choices, as they may find themselves turned away at the gate.

(Royal Ascot Style Guide 2018 (Royal Ascot Style Guide 2018)

The women who are welcomed into the Royal Enclosure must also ensure that they adhere to a number of regulations.

The minimum length of dress or skirt hemlines must reach just above the knee, while dress and top straps have to measure at least one inch in width.

Last year, it was revealed that jumpsuits would be permitted at Royal Ascot for the very first time.

The case is the same this year, although ladies can only wear jumpsuits or trouser suits that are full length.

Strapless, off the shoulder and halter neck straps are not allowed, nor are fascinators or headpieces that don’t have a solid base that covers a four-inch area of the head.

Women are permitted to wear jumpsuits or trouser suits, but they must be full-length (Royal Ascot Style Guide 2018)

The men who are admitted into the Royal Enclosure must wear either black or grey morning dress.

This involves donning a waistcoat and tie, a black or grey top hat and black shoes with socks.

Cravats are not permitted, nor is the customisation of top hats with coloured ribbons should any men feel like showing off their creativity.

Ladies and gentlemen who venture into the Queen Anne Enclosure, Village Enclosure and Windsor Enclosure must also take note of the appropriate dress code, but the rules are less rigid.

Ascot Racecourse has announced a new collaboration with luxury cruise brand Cunard with the release of this year’s style guide.

“Royal Ascot is a highlight of the summer social season and has grown to be a major fashion occasion in its own right,” said Juliet Slot, chief commercial officer at Ascot Racecourse.

Here’s the full list from the Royal Ascot style guide for the Royal Enclosure:

Men entering the Royal Enclosure must be dressed in either black or grey morning dress (Royal Ascot Style Guide 2018)

Ladies

Ladies are kindly reminded that formal daywear is a requirement in the Royal Enclosure, defined as follows:

• Dresses and skirts should be of modest length defined as falling just above the knee or longer. 
• Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater. 
• Jackets and pashminas may be worn but dresses and tops underneath should still comply with the Royal Enclosure dress code. 
• Trouser suits are welcome. They should be of full length to the ankle and of matching material and colour. 
• Jumpsuits are welcome. They should be of full-length to the ankle, with regulations matching that for dresses. 
• Hats should be worn; however, a headpiece which has a solid base of four inches (10 cm) or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.

Ladies are kindly asked to note the following:

• Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps are not permitted. 
• Midriffs must be covered.
• Fascinators are not permitted; neither are headpieces which do not have a solid base covering a sufficient area of the head (four inches/10 cm). 

Gentlemen

Gentlemen are kindly reminded that it is a requirement to wear either black or grey morning dress which must include:

• A waistcoat and tie (no cravats).
• A black or grey top hat.
• Black shoes worn with socks. 

A gentlemen may remove hit top hat within a restaurant, a private box, a private club or that facility’s terrace, balcony or garden. Hats may also be removed within any enclosed external seating area within the Royal Enclosure Garden.

The customisation of top hats (with, for example, coloured ribbons or bands) is not permitted in the Royal Enclosure.