Royal Ascot dresses 101
Royal Ascot will be here before we know it. Taking place this year from 18-22 June, it's become as much about what you wear as it is the races, so make sure you've brushed up on the rules before choosing your all-important outfit. Attended by royalty, celebrities and paparazzi, there's arguably nowhere more important to be sartorially savvy.
The strict dress code includes rules on hem lengths, shoulder straps and headpieces, and while everyone is encouraged to dress up for the occasion, each enclosure has slightly different rules.
The best Royal Ascot dresses at a glance
- The floral dress: Hobbs Skye Floral Silk Dress, £296.65 (save 15%) / $573.95 (save 15%)
- The wrap dress: Phase Eight Philippa Long Sleeve Midi Dress, £111.20 (save 20%) / $250
- The white dress: Self-Portrait Belted Cloqué Pleated Chiffon Midi Dress, £380 / $555
- The black dress: Monsoon Lizza Floral Shirt Dress, £125 / $169
Royal Enclosure dress code
- Dresses and skirts should be a modest length, falling no shorter than just above the knee.
- Dresses and tops must have straps that are a minimum width of one inch or more.
- Strapless, off-the-shoulder, halterneck and spaghetti straps are not permitted.
- Jackets and pashminas may be worn, but tops and dresses underneath must still comply with the dress code.
- Trouser suits are permitted but should be full-length and of matching material and colours.
- Jumpsuits are also permitted and have the same regulations as dresses.
- Hats must be worn. However, a headpiece with a minimum base of four inches (10cm) is acceptable.
Queen Anne Enclosure & Village Enclosure dress code
- A dress or top and skirt, with shoulder or halter neck straps (no minimum length)
- A trouser suit of matching material and colour
- A jumpsuit that falls below the knee and complies with the shoulder strap requirements
- A hat, headpiece or fascinator
Windsor Enclosure dress code
- Attendees are encouraged to dress in smart daywear with a hat or fascinator, but there is no official dress code for the Windsor Enclosure.
Is there a theme for Ascot 2024?
The Royal Ascot 2024 theme and Look Book is yet to be released, but the dress code remains unchanged. Last year it hoped to inspire racegoers to be a little more inventive with their ensembles, moving the focus towards outfits that represent their individual style.
Sustainability continued to be at the forefront and guests were encouraged to consider looking in charity shops, boutiques, vintage emporiums and resale websites for their outfits.
Most brands are yet to drop their Race Day collections, but if you want to get your outfit sorted early and you're looking online for a dress, I've found the most stylish pieces available to shop now. I also got in touch with celebrity stylist Miranda Holder (@mirandaholder) to get her tips on what to wear to Royal Ascot 2024.
3 styling tips for Royal Ascot - according to a celebrity stylist
- Channel a Grecian Goddess: "White - and similar shades such as ivory and ecru - have been a major fashion story on the runways recently, and appropriately for Race Day, floaty, feminine white dresses have been heavily favoured by designers. Frothy, diaphanous creations with oodles of fabric offer the perfect solution to Ascot's tricky dress code, ensuring plenty of coverage in their ample folds. Choose a light fabric which drapes well, such as chiffon or silk, and allow these feminine, romantic styles to speak for themselves."
- Smell the Roses: "Floral prints, and in particular patterns featuring roses, are going to be a key trend, so this might be a direction worth considering. Prints, particularly the larger scale designs, are fantastic at helping to disguise any lumps and bumps, so if you are feeling a little figure-conscious, this could be a great way to go. With the exception of red, last year's brighter tones have been swapped out in favour of slightly more muted shades such as soft apricot, lilac and sky blue, so opt for a soft, romantic colour palette and select one of these hues to accent with accessories."
- Don’t forget the dress coat: "The British weather is notoriously tricky, so why not make things simple and add a sprinkle of Royal sartorial panache to your racing look by choosing a dress coat and matching dress combination. A tried and tested formula loved by our fashion-loving Queen Camilla, the tailored dress coat worn over a simple but stylish matching dress feels formal enough to carry you through the grandest of guest lists. It's suitably modest for Ascot guidelines and has the added benefit of keeping you on the warmer side if the wind should pick up. If this outfit feels marginally too classic for you, try a vibrant colour clash by teaming pink clothes with red accessories for example."
The best Royal Ascot dresses to shop for 2024
Hobbs Skye Floral Silk Dress
Hobbs Ascot Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-18, Petite-Regular
Colours available: White Floral
Shipping: £2.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £150
Returns: Free within 28 days
Made from 100% silk, this luxurious midi dress from Hobbs is adorned with a delicate and feminine floral print. With its long sleeves and fit-and-flare shape, the timeless piece is perfect for Ascot.
Phase Eight Philippa Long Sleeve Midi Dress
Phase Eight Ascot Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-26
Colours available: Pink/Red
Shipping: £2.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £150
Returns: Free within 28 days
Channel Princess Kate in this bright midi dress from Phase Eight. It has a super flattering wrap cut with long blouson sleeves and a midi length. Style it with barely-there metallic accessories or matching brights if you're feeling bold.
Reformation Winslow Dress
Reformation Ascot Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-16
Colours available: White/Blue Floral, Navy
Shipping: £6 Standard Delivery or free over £100
Returns: £6 within 30 days
Reformation's bestselling Winslow dress is comfortable and modest while featuring a sultry high slight. We'd also consider it royal-approved as Meghan Markle wore a very similar style by Oscar de la Renta to a wedding in 2018.
Self-Portrait Belted Cloqué Pleated Chiffon Midi Dress
Self Portrait Ascot Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-16
Colours available: White
Shipping: £7 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £300
Returns: Free within 30 days
This dreamy dress is by Princess Kate-favourite Self-Portrait. Reminiscent of Old Hollywood glamour, the white cloqué midi dress has a tailored, fitted bodice with a waist-cinching belt and pleated chiffon skirt. It's ideal if a floral piece isn't your thing.
Nobody's Child Floral Satin Erin Midaxi Dress
Nobody's Child Ascot Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-18
Colours available: Green Floral, Sage Green, Lilac, Pink
Shipping: £5 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £100
Returns: Free within 30 days
It's technically from the bridal collection, but I think Nobody's Child's satin dress would look amazing for Ascot. Falling to a midaxi length, it has an ankle-grazing hem, fluted sleeves and stunning watercolour print.
ME+EM Scribbled Floral Print Maxi Dress
ME+EM Ascot Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-16
Colours available: Red/Lilac
Shipping: £4.95 Standard Delivery
Returns: Free within 28 days
How gorgeous is this colour clash maxi dress from ME+EM? Adorned with a hand-drawn bespoke Scribbled Floral print in a bright colour palette, it has a chic high neck and ruching in the mid section. I'd style it with barely-there heels or even wedge esparilles.
Rixo Melanie Silk Midi Dress
Rixo Ascot Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-26
Colours available: Floral prints
Shipping: £5 Standard Delivery
Returns: Free within 14 days
The Melanie dress is a Rixo icon. Made from 100% silk, it has a Bias cut with an Empire waist and features the brand's signature clashing print style with navy florals and polka dots.
Ted Baker Lounia Fluted Sleeve Midi Dress
Ted Baker Ascot Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-16
Colours available: White, Navy, Black
Shipping: £3.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £100
Returns: Free within 28 days
For a more structured piece, Ted Baker's popular Lounia dress comes in this season's trending hue and has a sleek fitted shape. It made from a luxurious-feeling heavy material and features short statement fluted sleeves.
Monsoon Lizza Floral Shirt Dress
Monsoon Ascot Dress
Sizes available: UK 8-24
Colours available: Black
Shipping: £3.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £50
Returns: Free within 28 days
If you only wear darker colours, this Monsoon maxi dress is a beautiful option. It's made from a lustrous fabric adorned with a floral print and finished with cutwork trims, fabric-coated buttons, and a cinched waist. Style it with black stilettos.
