What Is the Royal Ascot Dress Code?

The overall answer: one enclosure, one set of rules

At Ascot, attire is not a matter of taste: it is a condition of entry, checked by the racecourse. Each enclosure has its own rules, from the strictest, in the Royal Enclosure, to the most relaxed, in the Windsor Enclosure. The racecourse specifies that one of the codes offered must be followed in full — two registers are not mixed.

What follows reflects the rules published by the racecourse for the current edition. They may change from one year to the next: we review them with you ahead of 2027. The history of these customs is long — the racecourse traces it back to the early nineteenth century and to Beau Brummell, who established the sober, perfectly cut suit.

Royal Enclosure: morning dress, top hat, hat

For gentlemen: morning dress, in black, grey or navy, with a waistcoat and a tie — patriotic designs, a national flag for instance, are permitted — a black or grey top hat, black formal shoes and socks covering the ankle. The top hat may be removed in a restaurant, a private box, or an enclosed outdoor area — a terrace, balcony or garden. Not permitted: a customised top hat (coloured ribbons, feathers, embellishments), cravats, bow ties and neckerchiefs. Tartan trousers are permitted with morning dress and top hat, but Highland dress and morning dress are not mixed.

For ladies: a dress or skirt falling just above the knee or longer — lace and chiffon are permitted — with straps a minimum width of 1 inch / 2.5cm; a jacket or pashmina may be worn, provided the outfit underneath remains compliant. A trouser suit of matching material and colour is permitted, as is a jumpsuit falling below the knee. A hat is required; a headpiece or hatinator is accepted if it has a minimum base diameter of 4 inches / 10cm. Not permitted: fascinators (a small headpiece on a comb, clip or headband without a base of at least 10cm), strapless, one-shoulder, off-the-shoulder, halter-neck, spaghetti-strap, sheer or midriff-baring outfits.

Queen Anne Enclosure: lounge suit, tie, hat or fascinator

For gentlemen: a two- or three-piece lounge suit, with full-length trousers — morning dress is also permitted — a collared shirt and a tie, socks covering the ankle. Cravats, bow ties and neckerchiefs are not permitted.

For ladies: a dress, or a top and skirt, with straps or a halter neck — no minimum length, lace and chiffon permitted — a matching trouser suit, or a jumpsuit falling below the knee. A hat, headpiece or fascinator is required. Not permitted: strapless, one-shoulder, off-the-shoulder, sheer fabric, bare midriff.

Village Enclosure and Windsor Enclosure: more freedom, but never careless

In the Village, gentlemen wear a suit jacket or blazer — which may be of a different material from the trousers — full-length trousers or chinos, a collared shirt, and a tie, bow tie or cravat; socks covering the ankle. Ladies follow rules close to those of the Queen Anne Enclosure: straps or a halter neck, no minimum length, a matching trouser suit or a jumpsuit below the knee, and a hat, headpiece or fascinator.

In the Windsor Enclosure, the racecourse imposes no dress code, but encourages smart daywear: a hat, headpiece or fascinator, a jacket and a collared shirt. In every enclosure, fancy dress, novelty and branded or promotional clothing, jeans, trainers, leggings and shorts are not permitted.

Children, national dress, uniforms

From 10 to 17, the enclosure's code applies; in the Royal Enclosure, a headpiece or fascinator may replace the hat, with no size requirement, and juniors may wear a dark lounge suit, with a collared shirt and tie, instead of morning dress. In the Queen Anne Enclosure and the Village, hats and headpieces are not compulsory for juniors.

In every enclosure, overseas visitors may wear the formal national dress of their country; if it does not include headwear, none is required. Religious headwear replaces the hat, and serving members of the armed forces may wear service dress. For medical reasons, the racecourse invites guests to contact it in advance.

Preparing your attire: hire, milliner, alterations

Morning dress can be hired or made to measure; so can the top hat. For ladies in the Royal Enclosure, the hat is often a milliner's work, to be planned weeks ahead. We arrange the appointments in London, the fittings, the alterations and the delivery of each piece to your hotel or house.

A useful precaution: plan a change of outfit for a second day, comfortable shoes for the lawns, and an umbrella — June in England can surprise. The chauffeur keeps it all on board.

Key points

Royal Enclosure: morning dress and top hat, a dress just above the knee or longer, 2.5cm straps, a hat or a headpiece with a 10cm base. Queen Anne: lounge suit and tie, hat, headpiece or fascinator. Village: jacket, shirt, tie or bow tie. Windsor: no compulsory code, smart attire. TGZ Conciergerie, an independent house with no affiliation to Ascot Racecourse or the Royal Family, and no official status whatsoever, prepares your attire along with the rest of the stay, on quotation.