Glamorous racegoers don statement hats as Royal Ascot gets underway

It’s the jewel in the crown of the racing season when it comes to style, and Royal Ascot got off to a suitably fashionable start this morning – with a more relaxed dress code in place at the famous horse-race meet. 

Royal Ascot, seen by many as the highlight of the British summer season, has finally returned to the way it was before the pandemic – with attendees encouraged to go all out in the style stakes.  

This year’s published Style Guide for the event, the eleventh of its kind, requests formality remains in the Royal Enclosure but it’s thought a more relaxed approach will be taken elsewhere, with exuberant occasion wear encouraged. 

And early arrivals on Monday were seen taking the latest dress guidance to the letter – sporting an array of colourful outfits, with statement hats naturally taking centre stage. 

The famous racing event has returned largely to pre-pandemic status – with zero restrictions on revellers – and a dress code that appears to encourage people to go all out on occasion wear

Two friends were co-ordinated in green with one opting for a chic tiered number, while the other opted for a lighte shade with lace panels. Monochrome magic! Black and white also featured in the colour scheme for day one attendees

Racegoers made a spalsh in milinery festooned with flowers and feathers, and even the Union Jack

Elegant race goers have long been accustomed to dressing to impress for the Royal Ascot – but this year, the annual event is encouraging guests to be more daring than ever with their outfit choice. 

This year’s Royal Ascot Style Guide, which is the eleventh of its kind, is keen to demonstrate to racing followers around the world that British fashion houses can help those attending the Royal Meeting is about looking your best.

Meanwhile it also appears to encourage racegoers to embrace a more ‘casual’ look at the event, with female models posing in mini dresses and platform heels, while men are permitted to wear Cuban shirts and printed garments.

Attendees in the Royal Enclosure are required to wear a ‘modest’ hemline, however elsewhere in the guide it appears sky-high mini skirts may be permitted in other enclosures.

This year’s Style Guide for the event, which is the eleventh of its kind, is keen to demonstrate to racing followers around the world that British fashion houses can help those attending the Royal Meeting is about looking your best

Early arrivals were seen taking the latest dress code to the letter – sporting an array of colourful outfits, with statement hats taking centre stage

Formal: The Royal Enclosures still requires attendees to don their Sunday best…but other parts of the racecourse will see a more relaxed view on attire

Thousands are expected to descend on Ascot Racecourse over the coming days – as one of the most famous events in the society calendar returns

The new dress code also appears to encourage racegoers to embrace a more ‘casual’ look at the event, with female models posing in mini dresses and platform heels, while men are permitted to wear Cuban shirts and printed garments.

Attendees in the Royal Enclosure are required to wear a ‘modest’ hemline, however elsewhere in the guide it appears sky-high mini skirts may be permitted in other enclosures.