Race day season is around the corner, and with Royal Ascot as renowned for its style as it is for the sport, attendees may be feeling the pressure in the summer fashion stakes. With an exacting dress code to navigate (and different rules per enclosure), a degree of preparation is required to stake your claim as best dressed guest.
With Royal Ascot running for five days each June, look to the style set for inspiration. Attendees Lady Amelia, Lady Eliza Spencer and influencer Peony Lim favoured classic cream and white tones last year, choosing long-sleeved collared dresses and a belted jacket and A-line skirt respectively. Opting for plain shades and either colour block separates or a timeless pattern such as polka dots will ensure your look won’t date, and can be worn for other formal events – and years – to come.
Fashion editor Flora Macdonald Johnston wore a textured yellow dress with black accessories and a navy feathered tabard and skirt to attend two of her five days at Royal Ascot 2024, with each outfit complimented by a striking hat. Shades of pink proved popular, with nutritionist Sarah Ann Macklin opting for an ankle length satin dress, shoulder robed by a pink blazer, and Ascot TV presenter Rosie Tapner chose a colour block design in pale pink, fuchsia and scarlet red.
Meanwhile, some of Ascot’s most stylish are increasingly favouring darker shades. Model Betty Bachz paired a deep brown two-piece suit with black accessories while model Pritika Swarup was elegant in a dark navy fitted cropped jacket and pencil skirt, beautifully accented by the veiling of her coordinating hat.
Among the other sartorial highlights for 2024 were Hana Cross who wore a fitted white dress and navy veiled hat, and content creator Kelly Eastwood who paired a silk brown and white polka dot suit with a powder blue handbag and cream platform sandals.
Wearing white for Ascot will always look chic, demonstrated by Amber Le Bon in a silk satin dress and double-breasted blazer, and Rosie Tapner who chose a three-piece suit teamed with an oval hat accented by bright floral embellishment.
The Royal Ascot Dress Code Explained
Depending on where you’ll view the races, each enclosure at Royal Ascot adopts a different dress code. The Royal Enclosure is the most strict, requesting that guests wear a dress or skirt that falls on the knee or longer, with shoulder straps a minimum width of 2.5cm (so no strapless or spaghetti strap styles). If you’re opting for a trouser suit, each part should be of matching material and colour, while jumpsuits must fall below the knee and meet the shoulder strap width. Hats must be worn, and have a minimum base diameter of 10cm (so no headbands or fascinators allowed).
In the Queen Anne or Village Enclosure, dresses or tops must have shoulder or halter-neck straps, with the same requirements for trouser suits or jumpsuits as before, and hats, headpieces or fascinators worn (with no minimum diameter). Meanwhile, the Windsor Enclosure is the most relaxed of all, with no official dress code – but smart daywear is encouraged along with a hat, headpiece, hairband or fascinator.
For added assistance, ELLE UK spoke to leading British designer and creative director of Royal Ascot, Daniel Fletcher, who oversees the official lookbook for the event, and below, see our edit of the best clothes and accessories to shop for race day now.
Which trends have you seen emerge for dressing for Ascot this year?
One of the standout trends this season is playful prints; a joyful, expressive style statement that’s both accessible and endlessly versatile. From classic polka dots to bold florals, printed pieces are everywhere right now, making it easy to embrace a look that hits the mark no matter your budget. Pattern is a trend that invites personal expression while staying rooted in Royal Ascot dressing traditions – a perfect balance for the modern race week goer’s wardrobe.
What has been your most memorable look worn at Ascot in recent times?
A constant source of inspiration for the Ascot lookbooks, and a personal favourite of mine, is Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales. Her style is the epitome of refined elegance, always polished yet full of personality. One particularly memorable moment was her 2022 polka dot look by Alessandra Rich. It was beautifully considered and felt both timeless and modern.
What would your advice be for the hat-phobic? Do you recommend staying within a colour palette, or choosing a shade that contrasts with your clothes?
I find people either love or hate hats but of course they’re a staple accessory when it comes to Ascot. For those feeling unsure, I always suggest starting with something understated and timeless, like a pillbox hat; elegant, minimal, and effortlessly chic. Percher styles are another wonderful option; smaller in scale, they offer impact without overwhelming. An easy way to tie your hat into your outfit is by highlighting a particular colour. This subtle approach keeps your look cohesive and adds a nice touch of coordination.
What To Wear To Ascot 2025
Maison Michel Straw Blanche Capeline Hat
Self-Portrait Layered Embellished Taffeta Midi Dress
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Anya Hindmarch Bow Fringed Satin Clutch
Reiss Magda Double-Breasted Peak-Lapel Suit Jacket
Reiss Magda Wide-Leg Suit Trousers
Stuart Weitzman Felicity Bow-Detailed Metallic Leather Sandals
Victoria Grant Embellished Bellini Fascinator
Rixo Tulip Fields Cornflower Blue
Prada 75mm Saffiano Leather Slingback Pumps
Sister Jane Dream Haven Ruffle Top
Brunello Cucinelli Striped Cotton And Silk-Blend Twill Wide-Leg Pants
Gigi Burris Claiborne Grosgrain-Trimmed Straw Sunhat
Emily London Cisselye Headpiece
Victoria Beckham Gathered Short-Sleeve Stretch-Woven Midi Dress
Gucci Jackie Small Patent-Leather Shoulder Bag
Me + Em The Event Ready Metallic Tweed Jumpsuit
Me + Em The Very Useful Multi Stripe Blazer
Reformation Carolina Lace-Trim Silk-Charmeuse Midi Skirt
LK Bennett Lilth Woven Heeled Sandals
Theory Treeca Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pants
Gucci Lady Horsebit Metallic Textured-Leather Sandals
Self-Portrait Lace Belted Maxi Dress
Bottega Veneta Pinacoteca Small Intrecciato Leather Tote
Jimmy Choo 65mm Elsy Sandals
Boutique Bonita Boater Ribbon-Embellished Straw Hat
Sister Jane Snowdrop Bow Midi Dress
LK Bennett Marissa Suede Platform Espadrilles
When is Royal Ascot?
Royal Ascot runs from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 June 2025.
How can I book tickets to Royal Ascot?
Tickets and hospitality packages are available via Ticketmaster and Seat Unique.
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Esther Coombes is the Senior Ecommerce Editor at Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE and Esquire, overseeing luxury shopping content across fashion, beauty, travel and homes. She graduated from London College of Fashion with a First Class BA in Fashion Journalism in 2010, and has since worked at Marie-Claire, Easy Living, GLAMOUR and Women’s Health.
She held positions as Senior Fashion and Beauty Executive, Senior Lifestyle Executive and Content Lead during her nine years at HELLO! and HELLO! Fashion, creating editorial and branded content across the lifestyle sector and interviewing talent and experts including Lisa Eldridge, Jo Malone and Katie Jane Hughes for print and digital features.
With exacting standards and a critical eye for editing new launches, she enjoys recommending readers best in class products and experiences, be that a glow-giving skin tint, a boutique hotel stay or the perfect slingback stiletto.
In her spare time you can find her at a spin or reformer class or streaming the latest zeitgeisty podcast or television drama. You can follow Esther on Instagram at @esthercoombes.
