Royal Ascot - Style Guide
What Should You Wear To Royal Ascot?
Are you attending the social event of the season? Royal Ascot is one of the biggest events on the racing calendar, renowned worldwide for racing excellence that dates to the 1700s. With high fashion and centuries of tradition, Royal Ascot must be seen to be believed.
A gentleman in attendance should look his best, but how to do so? Read on for a summary of the Royal Ascot Dress Code, Royal Ascot Dates 2024, and men's outfits for Royal Ascot. Feel and look your best this year with SUAVE OWL...
Royal Ascot Dates 2024
The Royal Ascot 2024 dates run from Tuesday the 18th of June to Saturday the 22nd of June. Royal Ascot Ladies Day is on Thursday the 20th of June.
Royal Ascot Dress Code
Before going through the Royal Ascot dress code, there are a few restrictions that apply to all enclosures.
Novelty clothing, such as fancy dress or stag do/hen do outfits, are not permitted. Novelty fabrics and novelty patterns, for example those including slogans, logos, cartoon imagery, promotional material, and phrases, are not permitted. Trainers, denim, leggings, and shorts are also not permitted in any enclosure.
Attendees from overseas are welcome to wear their formal national dress or service dress. Serving military personnel are welcome to wear their Service Dress or equivalent.
It is specified on the Royal Ascot Website that, whilst adhering to the dress code should be sought after, Ascot recognises that some guests may struggle with the dress code for medical reasons. If this could be the case for you or a member of your party, there are details on the website of who to contact to help you enjoy your day as thoroughly as possible.
Ted 3-Piece Suit, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Plain Twill Tie & Pocket Square Set
Windsor Enclosure
For this enclosure, there is no official dress code. However, it is recommended that guests wear smart daywear. A hat, headpiece, or fascinator are encouraged. This enclosure comes with the most stylistic freedom, something that could be an exciting opportunity for an event like Royal Ascot.
Eton Jacket, Eton Waistcoat, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Jeans Rock Fit Black
This freedom allows you to explore your more smart casual options, if a full formal day does not appeal to you. For a smart casual Raceday outfit, consider wearing a SUAVE OWL formal shirt, suit jacket, and chinos. This combination can be endlessly personalised and is a winner every time. You could also consider wearing a 2-piece suit as your men's Ascot outfit, even wearing different suit jacket and trousers.
Jenson Jacket, Jenson Double-Breasted Waistcoat, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Ultraflex Black Jeans
Caridi Jacket, Caridi Waistcoat, SUAVE OWL Pink Shirt, Sand Chinos
Village Enclosure
As the enclosures go on, they get more restrictive. In the Village Enclosure, gentlemen are recommended to wear a suit jacket or blazer, a full length trouser or chino, a collared shirt, and a necktie, bow tie or cravat. Socks must be worn and should cover the ankle.
Smart Casual Jenson Suit & Chino
If you attending the Village enclosure, your men's outfit for Ascot could be a 2-piece with a collared shirt and. either a tie, bow tie or cravat. You could always switch out the trousers in your two piece for chinos, giving you a cooler option on (hopefully) a hot day.
Queen Anne Enclosure
Gentlemen are required to wear a full-length suit, either 2-piece or 3-piece, with a collared shirt and tie. Jacket and trousers should be of a matching colour and pattern. A tie must be always worn. Bow ties or cravats are not permitted. Socks must be worn and should cover the ankle. Formal shoes must be worn.
Jack Brooks Wedding Guest Outfit
In this enclosure, your Ascot men's outfit is fairly set for you. Your only freedom of choice is in the specific suit you choose, alongside your shoes and formal shirt, and whether or not you wear a waistcoat. Explore our suits collection to see which men's suit appeals to you and find the perfect men's outfit for Ascot.
Wells 3-Piece Suit, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Plain Twill Tie & Pocket Square Set
Royal Enclosure
Gentlemen must wear black, grey, or navy morning dress. They must wear a waistcoat and neck tie. Shoes must be black and worn with socks that cover the ankle. They must wear an unpersonalised black or grey top hat. Novelty waistcoat and ties are not permitted, however patterns of a patriotic nature are acceptable.
Did You Know?
For Royal Ascot 2021, attendees were strongly encouraged to wear second-hand clothing to promote environmentally-sustainable fashion. If this is an intriguing option, SUAVE OWL has the answer for you.
SUAVE OWL Reclaimed allows you to get the same SUAVE OWL high quality for less with trade ins. If you have an old SUAVE OWL suit you dont wear anymore, you can trade it in for a discount on your next suit. These suits are then available for purchase in the reclaimed collection. We only allow the return of suits in an excellent condition, meaning you can assure the good condition of your purchase. Our full range of available reclaimed options is not available online, simply contact the Bath store or drop in for a visit to see what we have.
If you would like to trade in one of your SUAVE OWL suits, read here for details.
Style Advice For Men's Outfits For Royal Ascot
Ascot is reliant on the weather. Whilst we always hope for the best of the weather, it is important to be prepared for any scenario.
If the weather is looking good, be sure to bring sunscreen and a handkerchief to mop sweat to use instead of your finely arranged pocket square. Drinking lots of water on the day is a must. Keep cooler throughout the day by wearing bamboo socks and underwear, which are breathable and sweat absorbent. Be sure to wear deodorant and cologne too.
If the weather is looking rainy, an umbrella is a must. If you want the umbrella to be in keeping with your outfit, either chose the predominant shade of the suit or the colour of your tie. You could also find a see-through umbrella, a safe bet to match your look. We would recommend wearing a thin thermal layer under your shirt to keep you warm in colder weather.
Caridi Jacket, Ted Waistcoat, SUAVE OWL Pink Shirt, Paisley Tie & Pocket Square Set
Lastly, ensure that you feel comfortable in your Ascot men's outfit. There's lots of ways to do this. Ensuring your suit is of the best possible fit is a necessary primary step. An ill-fitting suit will both be uncomfortable and not flatter you. A well-fitting suit should be comfortable, flattering, and make you feel your best. Ensure that you feel comfortable in your men's Ascot outfit by trying it all on before the big day too. This way, you'll know exactly how it will look and you'll have time to fix any problems if there are any.
Lastly, look your best for Ascot by including your personality in your outfit. This will be easier in the Enclosures with a less strict dress code. However, you can implement personality in small, dedicated ways. Include a pop of your favourite colour in your tie, bow tie, or cravat. Wear the family pocket watch or pin. Your outfit will only feel the best, and make you feel your best, if it feels like you. Be sure to keep this in mind during your search for the best men's outfit for Ascot.
Suiting With SUAVE OWL
For more outfit ideas for the races and raceday style guides, read Cheltenham Festival - Race Day Style Guide, Aintree Races - Style Guide For Men, Bath Racecourse - Style Guide, Goodwood Racecourse – Race Day Style Guide, and Derby Festival - Epsom Downs Racecourse Style Guide.
For more about suit styling, read The Ultimate Guide To Men’s Suits, Navigating Men’s Formalwear: A Comprehensive Style Guide and Mastering The Art Of Semi-Formal Attire For Men. Our main suits range can also be a source of inspiration, check it out now!
If you’re still searching for inspiration, take a look at our socials, or another of our blogs! Be sure to follow our Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and TikTok to see the full SUAVE OWL experience.
Marco 3-Piece Suit, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Plain Twill Tie & Pocket Square Set