Ascot Royal Enclosure

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Having managed to avoid attending this for nearly 10 years, DH and I have finally run out of excuses and we're attending with some members of his family who are heavily into racing. We are not.

I am not a dressy-uppy person, do not have dressy-uppy hair and look like a complete dick in a hat and will be spending the day with SIL who has a Cruella deVille type elegance to my Bridget Jones 'I will always be slightly fat' awkward frumpiness. So yeah, pretty much dreading it.

I don't yet have an outfit but just spent £1000 at Saint Bustier on 6 dresses with a view to returning 5 of them. I'll then find a hat somewhere and hope I have something in the wardrobe that will be suitable, shoe and bag-wise. I am attempting to eschew my traditional and favoured black in favour of something brighter, but feel stightly panicky about the prospect.

To take my mind off my colour anxiety though, I'm just wondering if I need to wear pantyhose/tights? It's a daytime event obviously but as we'll be in the Royal Enclosure I'm not sure that bare legs will be appropriate?

Anyone in the know?

They are very strict but I don't see anything regarding tights.

royal-ascot.racingpost.com/guide/dress-code/720244

And if it helps, I think it easier to find the hat first.

Thanks Crutchlow, you're probably right re the hat but as I look ridiculous in all hats and don't have the time or the will to go traipsing around shops trying loads on, I'm just going to have to get something that complies with the rules and is vaguely in the right colour group after I've picked a dress I think.

Is my complete and utter boredom with the whole thing coming across?!

I didn't see tights mentioned on the official website but as they probably come under the heading of 'underwear' I figured they probably wouldn't specify it in any event.

Anyone else?

You may find it useful to book a personal shopper at Harrods/Harvey Nicks/John Lewis to give you ideas on dress & hat styles. It will save you time traipsing around the shops figuring out what suits you.

www.johnlewis.com/our-services/fashion-advice-service

Get someone to come in to do your hair & makeup on the day. If you look good, you will feel good & since you don't have an option not to attend you may aswell go the whole hog & outshine Cruella de Ville.