Ladies – What to Wear to Royal Ascot

As the most famous of the racing festivals, Royal Ascot is the place to show off your fabulous fashion flair. But take heed; there are dress codes to adhere in all of the enclosures. the world Royal Ascot will be held over 5 days from Tuesday 17th until Saturday 21st June 2025.

Official Dress Code for the Royal Enclosure

Dress code in the Royal Enclosure is formal daywear. A dress or skirt falling just above the knee or longer (lace and chiffon fabrics are permitted). Shoulder straps that are a minimum width of 1 inch / 2.5cm. A jacket or pashmina may be worn. Tops and dresses beneath must still comply with the shoulder straps requirements. A trouser suit of matching material and colour. A jumpsuit that falls below the knee and complies with the shoulder strap requirements.Hats must be worn. However, a headpiece or hatinator with a minimum base diameter of 4 inches / 10cm is acceptable.

Not Permitted: Fascinators (defined as a small headpiece attached to a comb, hair clip or headband that does not have a solid base of at least 4 inches / 10cm) unless under the age of 17. Dresses and tops that are: Strapless or one shoulder, Halter neck (defined as a garment held up by a strap around the neck with an open back), Spaghetti straps, Sheer (defined as any type of fabric that is see-through / entirely transparent). Visible midriffs (defined as the mid-region of the torso between the chest and the waist)

The following are not permitted within any dress code: Fancy dress, novelty patterns and fabrics (including, for example; slogans, phrases, promotional messaging, brand logos or cartoon imagery), trainers, denim, leggings or shorts.

All prices are correct at time of publishing

LK Bennett London – Official Womenswear Sponsor

LK Bennett are the Official Womenswear Sponsor and have an Royal Ascot range of dresses, trouser suits and hats for you to choose from:

Georgia Italian Straw Lace Midi Dress in soft buttercup yellow. Was £449.00 Now £336.00 Paired with their Ayla Cream Wide Brim Fascinator covered in a white mesh and embellished with pearls. This fascinator complies with the Royal Enclosure dress code. £99.00. Also available in pale pink. Teamed here with  Lorna White & Black Leather Mary Janes Platforms Were £329.00 Now £346.00 Complement the fascinator with Malia Acrylic Resin Box Clutch Bag crafted in a neutral hue and adorned with delicate pearls, £159.00 Most racegoers keep their jewellery subtle or to a minimum in order not to overshadow their hat and dress. Calla Pearl Gold Statement Earrings £49.00 Although this single glass pearl is large, any pearl drop earrings are chic and the colour is neutral allowing the colours from the hat and outfit to take centre stage. Add sparkle to your wrist and a pop of pink with GUESS® Analogue watch with flower on dial in rose gold and pink crystals £205.00.


If you prefer wearing a trouser suit, there is their Amore Cream & Black Linen Blend Pinstripe Tailored Jacket £349.00, with matching Amore Cream & Black Linen Blend Pinstripe Wide Leg Trousers £229.00 and Ami Cream & Black Linen Waistcoat £199.00. Paired with Lucy Cream Wide Brim Fascinator £149.00. Worn here with  Lorna Mary Janes Platforms Were £329.00 Now £346.00. Add a sharp contrast by accessorising in black with Alexa Paper Frame Clutch Bag £149.00 Also available in cream and red. Add a touch of drama with Estel Black Tassel Bead Drop £39.00 These black drop earrings will enhance the black stripe in the trouser suit. Be mysterious in Elsa Maroon Acetate Square Sunglass Frame £99.00 Also available in blue and pearl.


Official Dress Code for Queen Anne Enclosure

A dress or top and skirt, with shoulder or halter neck straps (lace and chiffon fabrics are permitted, 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.

Not Permitted are Dresses and tops that are: Strapless or one shoulder, Off-the-shoulder or bardot, Sheer (defined as any type of fabric that is see-through / entirely transparent). Visible midriffs (defined as the mid-region of the torso between the chest and the waist) The following are not permitted within any dress code: Fancy dress, novelty patterns and fabrics (including, for example; slogans, phrases, promotional messaging, brand logos or cartoon imagery), Trainers, Denim, Leggings,Shorts.

Sparkle in designer Nico Didonna’s IRMA SPAR Royal blue dress A perfect colour for Royal Ascot! The cross over neckline is embellished with crystals and a peacock brooch adorns the waist. £380.00.

Royal Ascot is all about the hat, and most ladies will ensure their hat is the focal point of their outfit by choosing an eye-catching creation such as Sharper Millinery’s Sophia £295.00 Complete with peacock and goose feathers in vibrant turquoise, emerald green and purple. On a delicate wired brim with black millinery net, the centre of the piece is created from ruffled purple velvet and finished with a diamante jewel.

Your hat is the main attraction so choose a small to medium sized handbag in a colour to complement your outfit rather than a statement oversized bag. Clutch bags are popular, texture and sparkle on a clutch bag can enhance an outfit without taking all the attention. Crystal Clear Crystal Frame Clutch Bag by L.K.Bennett, London £159.00

Look gorgeous from top to toe so don’t forget to wear beautiful shoes too. Blade Jurassic Pumps by Casadei® £530.00 For this summer, Casadei’s iconic Blade pump is in a hand-buffed calfskin leather that creates a chiaroscuro effect, resembling crocodile scales reflecting sunlight across crystal-clear waters. In the ocean royal colourway this style is complemented by the sharp 8cm aluminum Blade heel.

Accessorise with Sterling Silver Irregular Pearl Blue Chalcedony Gemstone Earrings by YAA YAA LONDON Were £105.00 Now £45.00 Features unique irregular pearls and an azure blue chalcedony gemstone and their Silver Mega Blue Crystal Gemstone Statement Ring £57.00 -A chunky handmade agate crystal gemstone statement ring in shades of electric blue to military blue with flecks of white druzy crystals set in a silver plated thick band.

Official Dress Code for Village Enclosure

A dress or top and skirt, with shoulder or halter neck straps (lace and chiffon fabrics are permitted, no minimum length) Trouser suits are welcome and should be of matching material and colour Jumpsuits should fall below the knee and comply with the above strap requirements  A hat, headpiece or fascinator. 

Not Permitted: Dresses and tops that are: Strapless or one shoulder. Off-the-shoulder or bardot. Sheer (defined as any type of fabric that is see-through / entirely transparent). Visible midriffs (defined as the mid-region of the torso between the chest and the waist)

The following are not permitted within any dress code: Fancy dress, novelty patterns and fabrics (including, for example; slogans, phrases, promotional messaging, brand logos or cartoon imagery), Trainers, Denim, Leggings,Shorts.

We Say…The dress code is just a little more relaxed – dress straps can be narrower than one inch and dress lengths can be higher but still go for elegance as though you are attending a smart wedding. 

The black and white polka dot is a classic design to wear to Royal Ascot. Rixo’s  Eleanor Cotton Midi Dress softens the look with black spots on an ivory background and a loose bow around the halter neck. In cool cotton. £275.00 Pair with Sophia by Beazley Millinery a knotted paper mini boater decorated with a duo of large floating feather arrowheads. £250.00 Add drama to a classic style outfit with Rixo’s Zenni Beaded Bucket Bag covered in shimmering black glass beads £120.00 and their Mavi Suede Sandals in Black £235.00

Accessorise with Rixo’s Rosaria Earrings in Gold £125.00 Drop earrings of freshwater pearls and 18-karat gold-plated hand carved metal shells. Choose between the drama of  Yaa Yaa London’s Black Onyx Gold Cuff Bracelet black onyx or the quiet elegance of  White Gemstone Gold Cuff Bracelet white agate stone. Both are of 18k gold-plated brass and £195.00 

Complete the look with Max Mara’s “HINGE1” sunglasses £330.00 with white cat-eye frames.

Official Dress Code for the Windsor Enclosure

Whilst there is no official dress code for the Windsor Enclosure, guests are encouraged to dress in smart daywear. A hat, headpiece or fascinator is encouraged. Not permitted: Fancy dress, novelty and branded or promotional clothing

We Say…Still dress as though you are going to a wedding, but here you can be more revealing in your outfit choice with an off the shoulder, one shoulder or strapless dress. Goddiva’s Front Bow Off The Shoulder Mini Dress £65.00 has a bardot neckline with an oversized bow detail. Available in lilac, black or blush with black bow. If a mini dress is not for you Goddiva has the same style but in Bow Off The Shoulder A Line Midi Dress £85.00 The skater A-line skirt has side pockets adding a practical yet stylish twist. Available in baby blue, red, black or black with cream bow.

Headwear is still important and in this enclosure, designs range from the simple embellished headband crowning a professional hairdo to the most flamboyant of hats. Sharper Millinery’s Maxima £165.00 is a collaboration with Emma Jackson from Silversoles. A button covered with handmade and hand dyed fabric from Silversoles. The blue tones accentuate the patterns created within the fabrics giving a t8beautiful stripe across the button. The piece is finished with a statement crin bow and two curly pheasant feathers.

Step out in Classic Fern Pointed Stiletto Courts by L.K.Bennett, London  in suede. Available in powder blue, lilac, plum or green. £199.00. Pair with their Larna Pink Crochet Oloid Clutch Bag £110.00

Accesorise with ‘Molten Heart’ Earrings Turquoise Pink by YAA YAA LONDON Were £65.00 Now £45.00 Set upon a 18ct gold-plated brass, these earrings feature a simulated rose quartz bow with a turquoise blue heart.  Choose your arm candy with Coeur De Lion’s GeoCUBE® Iconic Mono Gold bracelet pink or ⁣GeoCUBE® Iconic Mono Gold bracelet turquoise or layer up with both. £85.00 each.

LK Bennett images provided by LK Bennett in house press team

Nico Didonna images provided by Nico Didonna

Casadei images provided by pr agency Purple PR

Sharper Millinery images provided by Sharper Millinery
Guess, Max Mara and Goddiva images provided by pr agency Trace Publicity

Yaa Yaa London images provided by Yaa Yaa London

Rixo images provided by Rixo’s in house press team

Coeur du Lion images provided by pr agency We Are PR UK

Leave a comment