The sartorial stakes are high at the world’s most famous race meeting.
Outrageously elegant hats are hot favourites for the summer social season, but what else will stylish racegoers be sporting?
The Royal Meeting is steeped in history. In 1711, when riding out in her carriage near Windsor Castle, Queen Anne proclaimed an open stretch of land an ideal patch of open ground for "horses to gallop at full stretch". Later that year, the first race was held on the site, with the prize of 100 guineas.
Fast-forward to the twenty-first century and Royal Ascot is the most valuable race meeting in Europe, with over £4m in prize money up for grabs. A highlight of the summer social calendar, the five-day event is as much about dressing up and socialising as it is about watching the races. In 2007 visitors quaffed 185,000 bottles of Champagne and nibbled on 100,000 scones. The recent unveiling of a new grandstand and track, following a £200m major redevelopment, means that riders and punter alike can enjoy state-of-the art facilities, but tradition remains very much a part of this prestigious event. For example, etiquette dictates that top hats mustn't be removed in the Royal Enclosure. Divorcée were finally allowed into the Royal Enclosure in 1955, however, criminals and undischarged bankrupts are still banned.
Nowhere is this emphasis on tradition more evident than in the dress code. If you're a patron of Ascot's Royal Enclosure, only a morning suit will do. This classic suit was created in the nineteenth century, when horse riding was a common form of morning exercise for the Victorian gentleman.
For ladies in the Royal Enclosure, off-the-shoulder or halter-neck dresses, and those with a strap of less than an inch, are considered unsuitable and not permitted attire in the Royal Enclosure - as are miniskirts. Midriffs must be covered and trousers suits should be full-length and of matching material and colour. Hats are, of course, obligatory and the Royal Enclosure is famous for a fantastic display of millinery over five days.
Dramatic headgear is not limited to the ladies – a top hat is essential and must be worn. Gentlemen are required to wear a top hat at all times when within the Royal Enclosure area other than within a private box or facility. In the late nineteenth century, when Lord Harris wore a brown bowler hat to Ascot, Edward VII is reported to have taken one look at him and loudly enquired, "Goin' rattin', Harris?". Morning suits also remain extremely popular in the public enclosures of the General Admission and Silver Ring areas, though not essential.
Moss Bros Hire's Royal Ascot Collection has been specially designed to meet the dress code of this prestigious event, so you can relax and enjoy yourself in style in the knowledge that you will be complying with the very strict attire regulations.
For tickets and more information about Royal Ascot please call 0870 727 1234 or simply visit www.ascot.co.uk
Get properly kitted out for this historic event with our Royal Ascot Collection.
Visit www.ascot.co.uk