3 May 2016

Royal Ascot Fashion Guide 2016 by Eclipse Magazine

Want to know what to wear at Royal Ascot - then check out Eclipse Magazine's Royal Ascot Fashion Guide 2016


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5 January 2016

Chester Barrie Spring Summer 2016

Chester Barrie’s SS16 collection focuses on making men look great when it matters most, with an emphasis on style and refinement as well as comfort and fit. These are clothes to look your best in. Whether it is a major business meeting, a significant birthday or a wedding, Chester Barrie is designed to make sure men look good.



 Highlights include luxury cloths, high-twist yarns and a colour palette of cool greys and summer blues.

The Travel Suit

The collection is epitomised by the new travel suit.

Luxurious to the touch and beautifully styled, it is made in a crisp hi-twist worsted cool wool - creases just drop out.

Unstructured for a softer, more relaxed fit, the travel suit is available in light grey or steel blue.

It features patch pockets and side adjusters on the trousers (who needs belts when passing through airport security).

















 Luxury comes to the fore with an ink-blue suit in baby alpaca and kid-mohair, cool to the touch and with a drape that flatters the body it is perfect for any special summer occasion.



The Morning Suit

The biggest summer occasions are weddings and whether you are groom, best-man or guest you are going to want to look your best.

If the invitation says morning suits then Chester Barrie’s is lighter than the average – always good on hot summer days.
Price  £695

Team it with striped trousers and a coloured, waistcoat for a great wedding look. If you are the groom, best man or usher then the colour of the waistcoat is more than likely chosen by the bride. But if you are a guest you may be able to choose any colour you fancy - but do check on the invitation for any colour codes.
 Other options include the fitted three piece cobalt blue Albemarle suit

 and the beautiful silk/cotton seersucker in blue or ecru.

And for evening events try the French navy dinner jacket with a shawl collar and matching waistcoat.


On a more relaxed note, jackets come in linen, silk and cotton blends as well as in lightweight wools.



The standout piece is the navy wool/silk/linen jacket
It feels lightweight but still benefits from some body and structure, lending shape to the wearer
It is a modern take on the blazer and can be worn with jeans, cotton trousers or even tailored shorts.






 Summer shirts are either cotton/linen blends – lightweight but less susceptible to creasing – or else fully fashioned in cotton pique: the season’s must have shirt.
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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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