The Best Race Day Outfits If You’re Heading To Royal Ascot This Year

The question 'how is it already April?' is living in our head rent-free at the moment. Before we know it, we'll be heading to a roster of weddings, summer soirées and perhaps even the races. But lots of events means lots (and lots) of looks. We've already rounded up the best wedding guest outfits, and now it's time to think about what to wear to the races.

Cheltenham Festival was on last month and for 'Style Wednesday', the race meet hosted royal cousins Zara Tindall, who bucked the trend for dresses with pin-striped tailoring, and Princess Eugenie, who wore a belted white trench coat from Reiss (still available to buy for £338).

Early in March, meanwhile, Royal Ascot made history by announcing, for the first time in its 300-year (plus) history, its inaugural creative director: Daniel Fletcher. The Central Saint Martins-trained designer has not only provided inspiration for all enclosures with the racing institution's annual Royal Ascot Lookbook - spotlighting the country's rising stars in 'New Guard', while also featuring a sustainable edit from industry legends including Vivienne Westwood - but he's also incorporated boldly-coloured looks inspired by the silks worn by jockeys.

'Be it flamboyant or understated, Royal Ascot gives us the chance to embrace the famous dress codes and dress up, encouraging freedom of expression through dressing,' says Fletcher. 'For 2024, I want to capture that joy and inspire racegoers to push the boundaries with their own unique style, and to embrace their own creativity.'

What Is The Dress Code For Royal Ascot?

While Royal Ascot's dress code remains unchanged - with different rules for each of the four enclosures - Fletcher wants to bring personal style into the equation. 'This season, I wanted to bring a fresh take on fashion at the races and the magical world of occasion dressing,' he says. 'From quintessentially ‘Royal Ascot’ looks that embody our sartorial heritage, through to the playful elegance of vintage dressing and relaxed formalwear, there’s a look that speaks to every style generation across every enclosure,' adds Alexandra Bertram, brand and creative lead at Ascot Racecourse. For a breakdown of the various rules for each of the four enclosures, keep reading...

The Royal Enclosure

The Royal Enclosure is the smartest of the four, with a dress code that requires either a dress or skirt with a hemline that falls just above the knee or longer, a trouser suit with a matching top half and bottom half or a jumpsuit. Shoulder straps need to have a minimum width of 1 inch and hats are required (a headpiece or a 'hatinator' is acceptable, but it needs to have a minimum base of 4 inches).

Attendees can also wear a morning suit of black, grey or navy material; a waistcoat and neck tie; a black or grey top hat and black dress shoes with socks that cover the ankle.

The Queen Anne Enclosure

The Queen Anne Enclosure requires a dress or top and skirt with shoulder or halter-neck straps (no minimum length), a trouser suit of matching material and colour or a jumpsuit, as well as a hat, a headpiece or a fascinator.

The alternative is a full-length two- or three-piece suit, a collared shirt, a neck tie and socks that cover the ankle.

The Village Enclosure

The Village Enclosure also requires a dress or top and skirt with shoulder or halter-neck straps (no minimum length), a trouser suit of matching material and colour or a jumpsuit, as well as a hat, a headpiece or a fascinator.

A suit jacket or blazer with trousers or chinos, a collared shirt, a neck tie, bow tie or cravat and socks that cover the ankle.

The Windsor Enclosure

The Windsor Enclosure doesn't have an official dress code, but guests are encouraged to opt for smart daywear (meaning a hat, headpiece or fascinator, as well as jackets and collared shirts).

How Should I Dress Up For A Race Day?

That's definitely a question it's worth asking. Because if you can't dress up for a day at the races, when can you? You don't have to go full Audrey Hepburn, whose outfit was almost as eye-popping as the moment she cheered on her horse in My Fair Lady, but channelling her elegance will undoubtedly get you noticed for all the right reasons. How to do it exactly? We've broken it down into the frocks, the tailoring and the crowning glory: hats.

The Frock

A floral dress is always a safe bet for the races - the more exuberant, the better - but also consider polka dots, a favourite of the Princess of Wales, and Pretty Woman's Vivian (although she wore hers to the polo, not the races). Don't forget that you'll need a hemline that hits just above the knee if you have tickets for the Royal Enclosure.

The Tailoring

Not a fan of frocks? As Zara Tindall just proved at Cheltenham Festival, a tailored two-piece is a sharp alternative. Opt for a print or a pastel, both of which you'll be able to rewear all summer on the wedding-guest circuit.

The Finishing Touch

A hat shouldn't be an afterthought so much as the centrepiece of your look at Royal Ascot. And even if your enclosure doesn't necessitate a headpiece, this is your chance to have fun with the ultimate cherry on top.

If this is your very first time at the races, you might not want to splurge on a brand-new outfit, including a hat, knowing that it won't get worn regularly. But don't worry, there are several ways to still look the part without, ultimately, wasting money on an outfit that will languish at the back of your wardrobe.

Rent An Outfit

Rental fashion is one of the best ways to wear a designer brand you wouldn't usually go for and save money (by not buying a dress you'll most likely wear once). Hirestreet has a dedicated races tab so you can rent dresses and jumpsuits that are appropriate for a variety of the enclosures at Royal Ascot.

Choose Vintage Or Pre-Loved

Having a rummage through your local charity shop or vintage store for an event like the races means no one will arrive wearing the same outfit, and it'll be more affordable – bonus. Also, wearing second-hand outfits is of course a more sustainable way to do occasionwear.

Opt For An Affordable High Street Dress

Sure, you may see a lot of extremely fancy frocks at an event such as the races (it's not surprising with the royal family in attendance), but don't underestimate the high street. With so many affordable – yet amazing – dresses, it's always a destination to rely on. Plus, by getting an outfit that's perhaps not quite so formal, which you can still dress up with accessories, you're most likely adding something to your wardrobe that you can get plenty of use out of on summer's event circuit.

What Shoes Should I Wear To The Races?

Like weddings, you're likely to be on your feet for much of the day at the races. So although terrain-wise you should be fine in whatever shoes you choose - be they ballet pumps or something more stratospheric - it's worth picking a plus one in the footwear department that you know will be comfortable from sunrise to sunset (or thereabouts). A wedge espadrille is always a good shout, as is a pair of block heels or, of course, flat sandals as soon as the weather is warm enough.

Harriet Davey is a freelance editor and stylist who's contributed to British Vogue, Stylist, WhoWhatWear, Refinery29 and SheerLuxe, as well as Grazia.