Royal Ascot 2014 Fashion: What To Wear For The Biggest Day In The Racing Calendar

It’s the biggest day of the racing calendar, with members of the Royal Family including Her Majesty the Queen in attendance.

So it’s no wonder there’s a very strict dress code for the Royal Ascot 2014 – it even states on the website that ‘Ascot Racecourse reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone deemed to be dressed inappropriately.’

No pressure then.

There are different dress codes depending on the type of ticket you have for Ascot – the Royal Enclosure (where you might find Kate and Pippa Middleton), the Grandstand (slightly less posh) and the Silver Ring (where there’s no formal dress code – except bare chests are banned!)

The organisers really don’t want to lower the tone of the day so they implement strict rules for guests – especially those in the Royal Enclosure.

The guidelines are 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 the dresses and tops underneath should still comply with the Royal Enclosure dress code.

- Trouser suits are welcome. They should be full length and of matching material and colour.

- Hats should be worn; a headpiece which has a base of four inches (10cm) or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.

And here’s what’s NOT allowed…

- Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps are not permitted.

- Midriffs must be covered.

- Fascinators are no longer permitted; neither are headpieces which do not have a base covering a sufficient area of the head (four inches / 10cm).

- Please note novelty and branded or promotional clothing is not allowed within the racecourse during Royal Ascot. There may be instances where a degree of discretion is required in determining compliance with the Royal Ascot dress code.

As mentioned, guests in the Grandstand Enclosure have slightly looser rules though they are still ‘encouraged to dress in a manner as befits a formal occasion.’

No formal dress code applies in the Silver Ring Enclosure and Heath Enclosure, though ‘racegoers are encouraged to wear smart clothes’.

No idea what to wear? We spoke to fashion experts to make the last-minute shopping debacle slightly easier – just remember that crop-tops are OFF limits.

“Royal Ascot returns for another year and there’s no better time to celebrate all things feminine in fashion,” says Gemma Cartwright, Editor of PopSugar UK.

“The knee-length dress is the Ascot staple, and you can't go wrong with floral prints. You can select a multitude of shades, whether tropical or pastel, to suit absolutely any skin tone or hair colour.

“Don't be afraid to experiment with bold colours too, like magenta or canary yellow, which will look amazing against darker skin tones.”

Gemma advises racegoers to style classic dress styles with simple court shoes for a Duchess of Cambridge worthy look.

“Keep your shapes simple (a pencil dress or fit-and-flare style) to keep things elegant. If you prefer separates, a matching two-piece is a great alternative, but remember the strict dress code states that crop tops are a no-go!” she says.

“As a general rule, keep footwear classy and sophisticated - a classic court shoe or peep toe will suffice.”

Holly Dudley, eCommerce Content Manager at L.K.Bennett agrees that it’s best to keep things simple and classic for Race Day.

“It’s easy to bet on a winning look if you keep it simple. Choose a classic dress or chic trouser suit, then pair with wedges or block-heeled sandals (perfect for traversing the grass) and a petite clutch – just don’t forget the hat!” she tells us.

And the hat really is the fun part of the outfit. New rules state a hat must be worn in the Royal Enclosure – or a fascinator which has a base of four inches or more. Strict stuff.

“Then comes the real fun, choosing your headwear. Hats on Ladies Day really are a must, though you may get away with a fascinator in the grandstand area. Select something unique and contemporary to avoid looking like you're at a '90s wedding,” says Gemma.

Inspired by Ascot? Shop our pick of the best Royal Enclosure worthy dresses, now.