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

http://eclipsemagazine.co.uk/royal-ascot-fashion-guide-2016/

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.

http://www.moss.co.uk/pws/hire/weddings/morning_suits.html

 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.

http://www.oliverbrown.org.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=waistcoats

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

Click here for link to tie

 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.

Click here for link to floral tie

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

http://oliverbrowntophats.com/top-hats-sale.php

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

 http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/product-info.php?&brandid=6&shoeid=448

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

http://deakinandfrancis.co.uk/silver-top-hat-cufflinks.html

Top Hats for Royal Ascot

It’s surprising to know that Top Hats got off to a shaky start when the hat maker John Heatherington wore the first one to be seen in public on the streets of London in Jan 1797. At the sight of this unusually tall hat, women screamed and fainted, children cried, so the poor man was arrested and fined for ‘frightening timid people’.

Proving it had stamina; the top hat ran the distance and secured its place in high fashion when Prince Albert started wearing one in 1850.

But what about the fainting women? Well we are more apt to swoon at the sight of the hat now.

Originally made out of fur felt (beaver being the most expensive); silk became to gain the lead in the fashionable stakes. Silk is still out there in front but no longer manufactured, making them a rarity and most coveted.  

Royal Enclosure Rule not to be broken

A top hat must be worn at all times within the Royal Enclosure area except for:  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. If in doubt, keep it on unless you see the vast majority taking theirs off.

Black or grey top hats are acceptable for black morning coats, but grey top hats partner well with grey morning suits.

Oliver Brown’s website www.oliverbrowntophats.com states: “has been selling Top Hats for over 30 years and is the oldest independent silk top hat dealer in London. We are the official and only silk top hat dealer with a trade stand as part of the Royal Ascot shop on the course during the Royal meeting.”

Oliver Brown vintage silk top hat

Their vintage silk top hats start from £500

Whilst their new top hats include:

Oliver Brown - Royal Ascot Tall topper

Royal Ascot Tall topper – standing tall above the rest in this highly polished, black 6 ¼ inch high top hat. £450

Oliver Brown - grey top hat

Or go for the more popular 5 ½ inches black or grey top hats, felt finished and priced £250

Oliver Brown also stocks top hat boxes to keep your top hat safe. Vintage boxes start from £750 whilst new at £450.

Savvy Row of www.savvyrow.co.uk stock vintage British classic garments and at the moment has two top hats on sale.

Savvy Row- Christy's top hat

One is a brand new Christy’s black wool top hat with 5 ¼” crown and black morning band for £79.

The other is an antique genuine silk top hat priced at £125

You’d be ‘mad as a hatter’ to miss out on these two.

Speaking of ‘Mad as a Hatter’ – the phrase is said to originate from those unfortunate hat makers in the 1800’s who used a mercury compound in the process of turning fur into felt.  The workshops were usually poorly ventilated and so the fumes were breathed in causing mercury poisoning which resulted in slurred speech, trembling, loss of memory, depression, anxiety and loss of co-ordination.

Royal Ascot Morning Attire - check out Ede and Ravenscroft

Ede and Ravenscroft are London’s oldest tailor so know a thing or two on how to dress well including the morning suit. www.edeandravenscroft.co.uk

Morning coat: discreet herringbone pattern, super 100s pure wool fabric, buttonhole in lapel with flower loop, traditional single link button closing. Price £495
Waistcoat: adjustable back strap, pure wool black herringbone – black is the most formal option for morning dress Price £125
Trousers: 12oz pure wool worsted houndstooth by Dormeuill. Popular for Royal Ascot. Single pleated, buckle and strap adjusters, internal brace button. Price £195
Shirt: blue and white striped with white collar
Tie: Red and blue polka dot silk tie
They also can provide the top hat!
Top Hat: Edwardian style fur felt polished to give a silk appearance. Crown height 6 ½ inches £