The Royal Ascot dress code in full
TO Royal Ascot with the Daily Mail, who having led with blonde Joanna Southgate’s tattoos (arms), today leads with blonde Zoe Neilson’s ring (nose) and bra strap (black). Fot added raciness, the paper tells readers that Neilson attended St Mary’s boarding school, Oxfordshire (£29,000 per annum). Like a school girl on her way home via the precinct, she tells readers:
“I knew my dress was too short so I tugged it down just before I went through the gates.”
And then, presumable hoisted it up again once out of site of Miss and Sir.
The illusion the Mail wants to create is that Royal Ascot is place where standards are high and nice gels go to rebel. Ascot, as anyone whose been knows, is the kind of place Chelsea footballers buy houses near. The ladies wear demented feathery hats at Ascot and the men, in tribute to Noddy Holder and The Beano’s Lord Snooty, wear toppers, so allowing the BBC to fulfil its remit to serve minority interests with horse racing and millinery spotting.
As the painted ladies and men dressed as drainpipes get plastered and totter about the uneven heel-unfriendly surfaces, the BBC sports pundits report on the fashion. If this were a true sporting event, the fans at Royal Ascot would wear the colours of their favourite teams, and be segreagated to avoid crowd trouble, which has broken out in recent years.
That dress code in full:
Ladies are kindly reminded that formal day wear 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.
If you have very short thighs, a mini-skirt will do.
Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater…
One inch. Not 2.2cm. This isn’t France.
Trouser suits are welcome. They should be of full length and of matching material and colour. Hats should be worn; a headpiece which has a base of 4 inches (10cm) or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.
See crowns.
Ladies are kindly asked to note the following:
Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch (2.5cm) are not permitted
Midriffs must be covered. Fascinators are no longer permitted in the Royal Enclosure; neither are headpieces which do not have a base covering a sufficient area of the head (4 inches / 10cm).
Ergo: Sarah Ferguson is most unwelcome.
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)
Cravats being the sign of a criminal mind. On that we can all agree (see bow ties).
A black or grey top hat
Black shoes.
A gentleman may remove his 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.
Slade fans, as you were.
Overseas Visitors
Overseas visitors are welcome to wear the formal National Dress of their country or Service Dress.
Anorak’s party of Kombai – tree people – from Pupa New Guinea should assemble at the Royal Box at noon sharp. (See photo)
Serving Military Personnel
Serving military personnel are welcome to wear Service Dress or equivalent.
Royal Navy: short summer dress with wig and mules; Army: thong, socks; RAF: French Maids and ‘Take Me Up Ginger’ licence plate about neck.
Grandstand Admission
Ladies within the main Grandstand enclosure are encouraged to dress in a manner as befits a formal occasion.
Ladies are kindly asked to take particular note of the following:
A hat, headpiece or fascinator should be worn at all times
Strapless or sheer strap dresses and tops are not permitted
Trousers must be full length and worn with a top that adheres to the guidelines above (i.e. strapless or sheer strap tops are not permitted)
Jackets and pashminas may be worn but dresses and tops underneath should still comply with the Grandstand Admission dress code
Midriffs must be covered
Shorts are not permitted.
In short: Courtroom attire with hastily bought cheap hat.
Gentlemen are required to wear a suit with a shirt and tie.
Work gear for middle managers in call centres.
Silver Ring
Silver Ring Dress Code
Whilst we encourage racegoers to wear smart clothes no formal dress code applies except that bare chests are not permitted at any time.
To say nothing of bare bottoms. Really, it says nothing. Go for it. The Royals will love it.
In addition to the specific guidance in this document, please note that fancy dress, novelty and branded / promotional clothing are not allowed on site.
Unless you’re in the Armed Forces a visiting Arab Sheikh or a member of The Royal Family.
Ascot Racecourse recognises that there may be instances where a degree of discretion is required in determining compliance with our dress code. In such instances, reasonable judgement will be exercised.
We let anyone in.
Posted: 21st, June 2012 | In: Key Posts, Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
