Top Tips for Royal Ascot

In a few weeks my sister and my niece will be attending Royal Ascot 2014 and as it seems to be such a hot topic at the moment  I asked her for some special hints and tips on how to enjoy your day at the races.
When attending Royal Ascot it is very important to dress accordingly and each enclosure has a different dress code

Royal Enclosure – Extremely strict dress code

Men
Black or Grey morning dress with a waistcoat and tie.
Top hat in black or grey must be worn
Shoes must be black.

Women
Formal day wear – Dress or skirt and top
Dresses and Skirts knee length or longer
Straps must be atleast one inch wide – no Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps.
Trouser suits are welcome.  They should be of full length and of matching material and colour.
Hats should be worn. Fascinators are no longer permitted in the Royal Enclosure.

Picture

GrandStand Admission – strict dress code

Men

Suit with a shirt and tie.
Sports attire, jeans and shorts are not permitted.

Women

Dress as for a formal occasion.
A hat, headpiece or fascinator should be worn at all times
Strapless or sheer strap dresses and tops are not permitted.
Midriffs must be covered.
Trousers must be full length. Shorts are not permitted.

Silver ring and Heath Enclosures – relaxed dress code

Although no formal dress code applies in the Silver Ring or Heath Enclosure, racegoers are encouraged to wear smart clothes.

Looking the part will really help you enjoy the day but there are some other tips that will add to your comfort. When choosing your outfit make sure it is comfortable and not tight as you will be wearing it all day. Opt for wedges and not pointy heels as the grass can be soft and heels just make it difficult to stand, this will also save your feet from aching too much half way through the day. Check ebay or your local charity shops for hats as you can usually find ones that people have worn once to a wedding or other occasion and save yourself a small fortune. If you are taking a picnic with you make sure you check the picnic policy as you are only allowed to have picnics in certain enclosures and they must be transported in specific ways. All soft drinks must have their seals intact and only one bottle of sparkling wine or champagne is allowed per guest over the age of 18, no other alcohol is allowed to be brought on site.

So you have your outfit, you have your picnic, what else do you take with you?

Remember to take a camera to capture your day, plasters in case of sore feet and tissues because well public toilets and all that. Also dont forget to take some money so you can have a little flutter on the horses after all there is no point going to the races if you are not going to at least try and win some money.