Great Britain: A question of hats: dress code for horse racing in Ascot

With a myth at least you can clean up. In the case of Great Britain’s most famous horse racing in Ascot, hats are mandatory in many places, but not all. Thousands of visitors flock to the racetrack west of London until Saturday. Royal Ascot’s dress code is considered legendary.

Women with an extravagant headdress that is reminiscent of flower bouquets or cotton candy? You see everything. At the start, Queen Camilla decides on a light hat with a motif that is reminiscent of feathers or leaves.

How strict the dress code really is

How strict the dress code is depends on the ticket area you have for. The rules in the “Royal Enclosure” are particularly strict: clothes have to go over the knee, for example, and must not have spaghetti straps. Hats are mandatory – with a minimum size of ten centimeters.

Men wear cylinders and a special suit (“Morning Dress”). Some borrow the outfits. It is not so easy to get into the Royal Enclosure – you have to become a member or accompany a member.

In other areas, the dress code will then be more relaxed until the “Windsor Enclosure” ultimately no longer applies to an official dress code, as the organizers explain on the website. However, the audience is encouraged to elegant clothing, gladly with a hat or a small fascinator – a decorative headdress.

What fascinates people in Ascot

Some want to see the royals. King Charles III. And Camilla drive up with a carriage for the opening. Betting are also a big deal in the UK, as well as networking at such events. Some simply enjoy the pretzel and the atmosphere.

A woman from the vicinity of Manchester likes the elegance and the fact that you can see the royal family. “It’s just great,” she says. She probably has 30 hats, she has embellished her current with flowers herself. Another visitor is similar: she did her hat – a flower garden with Kolibri – herself.

“To see how everyone is pushing up and cleaning out: you want to be part of it,” says a 56-year-old from the county of Surrey, who just drinks her wine on the fence. Because also for picnic in the Windsor Enclosure, rules apply: you can only bring sparkling wine or champagne.

The event is already a bit class -oriented, she thinks. The tickets cost a lot. In some exclusive restaurants you can eat for four -digit sums, at other corners there is cheese toast for £ 7.50 – the equivalent of around 9 euros. There is also a lot of mooring in the clothing in England. Practice that are learned in corresponding circles.

Already on the train she thought: “Am I out of place here?” Says the woman. But there are different areas. “You make what you do with it, and you fit in where you fit in.” There is still Snobism. But when you come with friends, it’s fun. In any case, there are many hats from England for the next few days.