Royal Ascot dress code

[ineedaholidaynow]

We have been invited to Royal Ascot through DH's work. Although we will be in the Grandstand our host has asked us to dress as if we are in the Royal Enclosure. So DH will be hiring top hat and tails.

I have seen a dress which I like but not sure whether it complies with the dress code. Per the dress code dresses must have straps at least one inch wide and spaghetti straps are not allowed. The dress I have seen has very narrow straps but then has a thin patterned lace overlay which covers the whole dress including the shoulders and is part of the dress. You can see the straps through the lace. I will probably be also wearing a shrug, but the rules state that even if you wear a pashmina etc the dress underneath must still comply with the rules. Do you think this dress will be suitable?

Do you have a photo or link?

I'm slightly worried your dh and the other men will feel a bit weird in tails in the grandstand, but a dress code is a dress code.
As you aren't actually going to be in the royal enc I think you'll be fine if that's what you want it wear, you will see a lot more sights there than a little bit of shoulder!

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_54510+202924551_-1

What colour hat are you thinking of?

Hopefully that link works.

This is the third time we have been invited by the same host. He always invites the same guests so I always buy a new dress (only posh thing I ever get invited to ). Although if we get invited again I might start recycling them.

The host has a private box in the grandstand and has always asked us to follow the dress code. There are many men around in top hats and tails, but I agree there are also some sights. The first time we went we almost tripped over a young lady slumped on the stairs with her stockings round her ankles and her partner trying to get her to stand up

That dress will be fine. The lace overlay is demure and is the whole dress.

It's not a strappy dress with a lace shrug which wouldn't comply, it's the whole dress.

That dress is fine, not strappy at all, enjoy your day out!

The colour of my hat and my accessories was going to be my next question, if everyone thinks that my chosen dress is suitable. Although I change the dress every year I do try and keep the accessories the same, partly to save costs, but also to save space as hat boxes are enormous.

The shrug I have worn in previous years is as below, and my hat and bag are similar colours (in fact my previous dress was very similar to the one in the photo). I think my shoes would be described as nude.

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_54510+401672773_-1

Obviously the waist tie on my chosen dress is very green, but it is detachable and I have a pink one I could use. Don't know if it is clear from the link that the flowers on the lace overlay are pink

I think a pink hat would be much more flattering than green (obviously don't know your colouring). The dress looks really pretty.

Thank you everyone.

I just need to sort out childcare and hopefully the dress may be in a sale before I need to buy it!