- Ascot racegoers must abide by the dress code policy despite the soaring heat
- Men were forced to pay out a fiver for a pair of socks – or face missing out
Royal Ascot revellers have been forced to stump up or face missing out on the final day of the meet after flouting one of the lesser known dress regulations.
While ladies have to wear a hat or headpiece with a base of at least four inches in the Royal Enclosure and men must wear a jacket, collared shirt and tie, few are aware that men are also obliged to wear socks.
And despite being dressed lavishly from head to toe, some sockless men were stopped at the gates by dress code staff and forced to buy a £5 pair or face missing out on the event.
Images have emerged on social media of racegoers trying on their new pairs in a dressing room before being allowed in.
Royal Ascot states that ‘socks must be worn at all times’ and they should be ‘covering the ankle’.
The firm clothing regulations also mean checks have taken place to ensure that ladies have their shoulders covered.
Racing fans rushed to defend the strict sock rules on social media.
‘Love the idea of someone spending hundreds on a suit, hat, and champagne… only to be undone by a rogue ankle and a rebellious shoulder. Peak British drama,’ one wrote.
‘This is brilliant. Nothing worse than someone wearing a suit without socks,’ another added.
Racegoers have had to abide by the racecourse’s strict dressing rules despite temperatures soaring past 30 degrees this week.
Punters sweltered during the hottest week of the year but while Ascot provided them with water, their uncompromising dress code stayed intact.
The outfits rules were last relaxed due to high temperatures in 2022 and this year Ascot instead provided free water at hydration stations and bottled water was handed out as people left the venue.
The strict dress code enforcement comes just a day after a bloody brawl between young men, who were both suited and booted, took place at the famous venue.
A shocking video emerged of the duo viciously swinging punches at one another, at the prestigious Berkshire event.
For a short moment, the pair grip each other before one plummeted to the ground after being hit once again.
Stunned attendees at the racing event were left staring in horror, as a group of men attempt to separate the brawling pair.
The group could briefly be heard telling the fighting men: ‘Stop, stop, boys.’
While one man, dressed in a grey suit, was dragged away, the other was picked up from the ground with blood gushing from his face.
The bloodied racegoer wiped his visage and then bloodied his cream trousers as he seemingly yelled at the man he had fought only moments before.
