7 June 2013

Gentlemen's Dress Code for the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot Races

The gentleman’s dress code for the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot has always been strict, but since last year they are making sure that these rules are DEFINITLEY NOT broken.
 Rule no 1: Morning suits
Gentlemen are kindly reminded that it is a requirement to wear black or grey morning dress.
No other colour is acceptable in the Royal Enclosure.

If wearing a black morning coat the trousers must be either grey or black in striped or houndstooth pattern.
If wearing a grey morning coat, the trousers should match the coat in colour and fabric like a suit.
Black is the most popular at Royal Ascot and is striking next to a pristine white shirt. 
The above image shows a black morning coat from Oliver Brown Price £475
Fabric: 100% British barathea wool in plain black with peak lapel, 3 button cuffs, fully lined with ticket pocket and inside pockets.  
 http://www.oliverbrown.org.uk/buy/morning-wear-collection/black-morning-coat.html  
Teamed with houndstooth trousers in 100% British wool. Price £165 Half lined; single pleated, side adjusters, brace buttons, slant pockets and two hip pockets.  

To save money you could go buy one of their ex rental morning coats at £295

The grey is a more flattering choice for those of you with a fair or soft colouring. Through Moss Bros you can hire the grey Ted Baker morning coat with its striking peacock lining.
 They offer three hire packages jacket and trousers only at £120; plus waistcoat £130; and plus white shirt, tie and pocket square for £155. There is a choice of 6 colour ways for the silk tie and pocket square and they are yours to keep as a gift from Ted Baker!  The shirt for hire is white with a cutaway collar and double cuffs.
For Accidental Damage Waiver there is an extra charge of £8.

Moss Bros also has the Royal Ascot Collection especially designed for the occasion. http://www.moss.co.uk/pws/hire/ascot/ascot_collection.html

Morning coat: Pure new wool and light in weight so if the day turns out to be a scorcher then you’ll stay cool, but if it’s a cooler day then it’ll keep you warm. The coat has a royal-blue satin lining and the distinctive Royal Ascot emblem embroidered on the inside pocket.  Also has the traditional single link button.
Waistcoat: single breasted in traditional colour of dove grey or buff with 5 buttons
Trousers: Traditional wool-blend single pleat grey stripe trousers
Here worn with black oxford shoes from M&S and top hat from Hetherington Hats.

Rule no 2: Waistcoats.
A waistcoat must be worn.
Sartorial note: keep the bottom button undone.
Cut: Either single breasted with or without lapels or double breasted. 
Fabrics:  choose plain wool or linen.  Although silk or satin are acceptable, the shiny fabric can look more like wedding attire.


Colours: Whether light or deep, choose a muted version. Keep the bright colours and patterns for weddings. Buff and grey is the most popular colour, so for more of an individual look choose another pastel shade
Oliver Brown has both wool and linen, double and single breasted. Wool price is £145 with a colour choice of grey, buff, cream and yellow   Linen price is £135 with a colour choice of pale yellow, beige, bright yellow and pale blue.


Rule no 3: Tie.
Wear a tightly knotted tie such as a half Windsor knot. Definitely NO cravats.
And don’t be fooled with the Ascot tie.  Although named after the racecourse this is no longer acceptable so keep for wedding attire only.
Fabric: Preferably silk
Colour: Any colour and pattern you wish.

Although the Jaeger paisley tie is a classic print, the swirling pattern and various shades of blue still makes a statement.  Price £55


 Go floral with this vintage inspired print. Price £55.
The soft colour way of lilac with touches of pink will especially complement the grey morning coat.
The bolder colour way of red on a navy background (only available in stores) would suit the black morning coat.



Rule no 4: Top Hat.
A Top Hat in black or grey must be worn at all times with the exception of:
The restaurant, a private box or a private club. You can also remove your hat within any enclosed external seating area within the Royal Enclosure Garden.
But if in doubt, keep it on unless you see the vast majority taking theirs off.
NEVER customise your top hat (with, for example, coloured ribbons or bands).


A black Top Hat made of silk is the most coveted but alas no longer manufactured, making them a rarity. But you can purchase one from Oliver Brown for £500







The felt Top hats are less expensive. Go for grey felt  Top hat finished with black band in Melton wool and lined in white satin. Price £250












Top hats are expensive to buy so for the cheaper option Oliver Brown offers ex rental black felt Top hats at £150 to buy and also has a wide range of top hat for hire from £50.



 Rule no 5: Black Shoes
Shoes must be black with laces, plain and highly polished (although not patent)
The plain Oxford shoe is the perfect choice.  The Herring Knightsbridge is a classic toecap oxford shoe.  Made from calf leather for the upper, full leather lining, leather insoles and Goodyear Welted soles.  Handmade in Northamptonshire at the Loake factory for Herring Shoes
Available for £185 online at


Sartorial Rules:
Socks: no coloured socks just plain black or grey.
Shirts:  Shirts should be in keeping with a formal dress code so choose either white or a pale pastel. 
A double cuff is more in keeping with the morning suit.  Plus you can add a touch of individuality with a pair of cufflinks




Keep the Ascot theme with these Deakin & Francis silver top hats £245.00



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9 June 2011

The Waistcoat for your Royal Ascot Morning Attire

Here is a great opportunity to express your personality with a touch of colour to your morning attire, but keep to the soft subtle hues.
The waistcoat began a sombre life in Britain when after the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London; Charles II ordered his court to replace their opulent French fashions for the plainer more sobering thigh length vest.  After a few years the wearing of vests spread to the continent and changed from plain to colourful and patterned. The vest became the waistcoat proper in the 18th Century when they were shortened above the abdomen.
Royal Enclosure Rules not to be broken
Firstly you have to wear one and secondly keep the bottom button undone. The later is more of a sartorial rule accidently started by the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) when he left his undone and everyone followed suit.
 Plain wool or linen are best although silk or satin are also acceptable. But keep the bright colours and patterns for weddings.
The cut can be either single breasted with or without lapels or double breasted. 
Online formal waistcoat specialists www.davidedward.co.uk have created a Royal Ascot range called Royal Enclosure.
Royal Enclosure range

100% pure Irish linen with matching cloth covered buttons and pocket flaps; the Royal Enclosure waistcoat is single breasted with step collar and 6 buttons. Comes in the traditional buff colour (as seen in image), but also in summer yellow, white, Royal Air force blue, chocolate, mid brown, dark brown  and sea green. Price £145
For a wider range of colours choose their Morning Wear Range. Very similar to the Royal Ascot range except the fabric is wool and the front pockets are not flaps.
The Chelsea

Their Chelsea waistcoat is made of 11oz merino wool in pastel blue. Price £185. Here teamed with their herringbone weave yellow silk tie Price £29.99
Or use their online custom build service. Just choose the cut from: single breasted, evening wear, country wear, double breasted, Royal Ascot and country Windsor. Then choose the cloth and colour from the names in their RTW range. Plus you get to choose whether you would like horn buttons or matching cloth covered.
Double breasted

The double breasted cut is only available through their custom build service and is seen here in their buff coloured Tunbridge cloth: 14oz all worsted wool with horn buttons and teamed with their navy/sky blue polka dot silk tie. Price £29.99

Complement your waistcoat’s colour with your shirt, tie and pocket handkerchief but don’t have them exactly matching as this will look too much like wedding attire.
Many choose a colour to match or complement the outfit of the lady on their arm.
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