Dress code rules you MUST follow at Royal Ascot as 2026 ,
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Racegoers have long been accustomed to dressing in their finest attire for Royal Ascot, but this year the event is encouraging guests to be bolder and brighter with their outfit choice.
Royal Ascot, the highlight of the British summer season, which will run from June 16 to 20, this week released its official lookbook, curated by menswear specialist Daniel Fletcher, who has previously designed for the likes of Louis Vuitton, JW Anderson and Victoria Beckham.
The guide outlines the dos and don’ts of dressing for the annual event, and for the first time ever, it’s also determined its colour of the year – bright tomato.
It reads: ‘Bright tomato is the kind of colour that doesn’t just join the party at Royal Ascot – it leads it’
‘Bold, sunlit and impossible to ignore, the vibrant red-orange hue captures the energy of summer while standing out beautifully against the emerald lawns and crisp tailoring,’ the guide reads.
British high-fashion model Erin O’Connor, 48, models in the lookbook and offered a piece of advice to attendees: ‘Be bold. For me, clothing is the essence of your personality – just live it.’
While no rules apply in the Windsor Enclosure, although the majority of guests choose to dress up regardless, a strict dress code operates across the Royal and Queen Anne Enclosures.
Consider this your official guide to Race Week dressing.
Royal Ascot is encouraging guests to be bolder and brighter with their outfit choice at the racing meet this year (pictured: Model Erin O’Connor in the lookbook)
Royal Ascot has released its official lookbook for 2026, curated by menswear specialist Daniel Fletcher, who has previously designed for the likes of Louis Vuitton and JW Anderson
Headwear
Hats are a must at Royal Ascot; however, a headpiece or hatinator with a minimum base diameter of four inches is acceptable.
Positioning is key: never wear your hat at an angle or pushed back on the head – and when it comes to taking it off at the event, place it brim down.
The fit should also be snug, sit squarely, and ideally sit at about an inch above the ears.
If you’re petite, stick to delicately feathered fascinators or smaller designs, while taller ladies can pull off wide-brimmed styles.
Bright bold colours are recommended, but if in doubt, match it as closely as possible to your dress or jumpsuit.
If you want to splash out, look no further than Jess Collett Milliner (a favourite of the Princess of Wales).
On the High Street, Phase Eight’s £119 Statement Fascinator and Karen Millen’s £99 Grosgrain Trim Large Disc Fascinator are worthwhile styles. Or try LK Bennet to snag a bargain on its online closing-down sale.
Top tip: dial back your jewellery – a statement necklace or chandelier earrings will overpower your headpiece.
Dresses
Model Erin O’Connor modelled in the lookbook – and advised attendees to be bold with their outfit choices
Dresses can fall just above the knee or longer, and forget spaghetti straps because all shoulders must be a minimum width of one inch.
If you want to follow the official colour of the year, Next’s Bright Red Occasion Cinched Waist Maxi Dress, priced at £79, is a good choice for High Street shoppers.
And if you’re looking to hop on a different springtime trend – polka dots – then the Luna Midi Dress from Nobody’s Child is a safe bet – and it’s currently on sale down from £160 to £128.
In the words of Fletcher, ‘Relish the opportunity that Royal Ascot allows to get dressed up and express your creativity’.
Trouser suits
Shorts of any kind are not permitted. But, having been included in the dress code since 1971, trouser suits remain a popular choice – although they mustn’t be mismatched.
Consider Boden’s £358 Kensington Pink and Green Stripe trouser suit if you want to stand out from the rest of the Ascot crowd.
If you want to keep it classic, The Fold’s £325 Clever Crepe Knighton blazer and £195 matching trousers are an elegant choice.
Jumpsuits
From 2017 onwards, jumpsuits have also been accepted as Ascot-worthy. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is a big fan of the all-in-one look – her wide-leg designs often come from Emilia Wickstead.
French Connection’s Arlette Wide Leg Jumpsuit style in Amethyst Blue will give you a royally similar effect – but at a smaller cost of £155. And other haunts to consider include Hobbs and Reiss.
Footwear
Men must stick to black dress shoes worn with ankle socks, but there are no specifications for women.
If you opt for a heel, stick to relatively low block-shaped designs that will allow you to walk freely on grass.
Reformation’s £328 Inez High Pump is a great choice, and will be easy to wear at other events in the future.
Or for a metallic look, try the £44.25 Evie Metallic Braided Block Heel Sandals from Monsoon. Ballet flats are also a comfortable option to consider. A popular choice comes from the French It-girl brand Bobbies.
