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Original poster

Royal Ascot dress help needed

53 replies

HarryPottersScar · 11/05/2024 18:11

I have been invited to Royal Ascot and have never gone before. I have got a couple of dresses in mind but am not sure if they would be smart enough or not (I will be in the Royal Enclosure bit). These two are contenders:

https://www.whistles.com/product/194246.html

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/organza-occasion-dress-green-tambourine/sty-d0948-grn?cat=C1_S2_G4

Would they be OK? If not please can anyone suggest something else. I do want to look a bit cool and edgy and I don't think either of these are but was hoping to manage that with the right hat, shoes etc.

FFI: aged 50, 5'3", size 12, I suit colours with warm undertones (Dark Autumn colouring) but these two aren't really Autumn colours but I do love green and orange. Big patterns, big frills or big puffy sleeves don't suit me. My style is quite gamine, I think.

Orange/Multi Spot Shirred Midi Dress | WHISTLES | Whistles UK |

Buy Orange/Multi Spot Shirred Midi Dress | WHISTLES whistles.com. Animal prints are still at the fore of our minds as we enter the high summer season, and this chic dalmatian print dress is a must-have.

https://www.whistles.com/product/194246.html

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Newgirls · 12/05/2024 13:23

I love the cream and orange dress with the pink and Orange hat.

perfect for RE - it’s not meant to be mother of the bride and quirky contemporary is more the vibe I think now

OnceUponAThread · 12/05/2024 13:33

TizerorFizz · 12/05/2024 00:28

I'm not sure you can get into the Royal Enclosure without being a member. You cannot just be invited without going through the application process. So if you haven't, you are probably in a box.
I am a Royal Enclosure member and go every year. So do check what the invite is and whether you will be pretending to be someone else!

Some of the most chic outfits are all one colour. The green dress is way better as a result. Don't go for an orange hat or you will look like the Irish flag! Try and get one the same colour or toning. Don't try too hard. Or get a headpiece (the crown can be small) on a headband and make sure the green is copied in the headpiece. Hostie Hats is a good place to start. Don't wear massive my high heels. Wear something lower and comfortable.

This is categorically untrue. Members of the Royal Enclosure can take guests, except on Tuesdays.

I've taken guests many a time, but just in case you don't believe me, here is the FAQs on it.

Royal Ascot dress help needed
CormorantStrikesBack · 12/05/2024 13:34

LiesDoNotBecomeUs · 12/05/2024 13:21

I love your green dress - and do like the 'hat' (especially in green) but note it is actually being called a fascinator... and at RA a fascinator is not a hat.

In that place and on that day, your head would be considered undressed! 😮

It states in the description it meets RE rules.

Original poster
HarryPottersScar · 12/05/2024 14:33

Delia123 · 12/05/2024 13:31

That is amazing. Love it!

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 12/05/2024 15:54

Ah. I go on the Tuesday. Always. Other days are way too busy. I've been as an owner on other days. Always have avoided Thursday and Saturday though. Best racing on Tuesday. Prefer Goodwood these days. More relaxed and easier! First time since early 80s I've declined my invitation.

Potentialscroogeincognito · 12/05/2024 18:05

HarryPottersScar · 11/05/2024 18:11

I have been invited to Royal Ascot and have never gone before. I have got a couple of dresses in mind but am not sure if they would be smart enough or not (I will be in the Royal Enclosure bit). These two are contenders:

https://www.whistles.com/product/194246.html

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/organza-occasion-dress-green-tambourine/sty-d0948-grn?cat=C1_S2_G4

Would they be OK? If not please can anyone suggest something else. I do want to look a bit cool and edgy and I don't think either of these are but was hoping to manage that with the right hat, shoes etc.

FFI: aged 50, 5'3", size 12, I suit colours with warm undertones (Dark Autumn colouring) but these two aren't really Autumn colours but I do love green and orange. Big patterns, big frills or big puffy sleeves don't suit me. My style is quite gamine, I think.

Both are gorg, just make sure your hat fits the royal enclosure criteria! We are Royal enclosure members and I always stress about my hatinator meeting the requirement. I’m thinking something similar for our couple of days there, enjoy!

mydamnfootstuckinthedoor · 13/05/2024 16:53

Both dresses are lovely and either would be perfect with a hat, some dressy shoes and a smart handbag. Enjoy your big day out!

whatyear · 13/05/2024 17:29

I love the green dress and I think you could wear it on its own actually or find a fascinator / hat in the darker green of the details. With gold jewellery and shoes. Perfect!

LindaDawn · 13/05/2024 20:23

Feel sure I read somewhere recently that Royal,Ascot have changed their dress code this year so that there are not so many rules and therefore more relaxed.

Teddleshon · 13/05/2024 20:28

We go to the Royal Enclosure every year and always take 4 guests as we are both members. Agree with the country wedding description and also agree that the outfits you see photographed are at the extreme end. A lot of people are really quite understated, even wearing “sun hat” type hats in some cases.

Agree also that you should avoid black and try and be colourful. I think the green looks great.

bridgetreilly · 13/05/2024 22:06

Whistles dress with orange hat. Summery, fun and very appropriate. Get an orange coat/pashmina of some kind and shoes you can walk in all day. Have fun!

Original poster
HarryPottersScar · 14/05/2024 15:18

Hmmm well the Boden dress arrived and it had strong Surgeon-in-full-operating-regalia vibes 😂so that's knocked that firmly on the head. It's going back tomorrow and let's hope the Whistles one is a bit better.

Failing that I'm open to some suggestions. Looking for warmer colours, e.g. teal, mustard yellow, darker navy, peachy pinks, burnt oranges etc.

Edited to say I hate my arms so definitely would like some kind of sleeve even though the rules say minimum 1 inch I want something that hides the upper arms at least.

OP posts:
Original poster
HarryPottersScar · 14/05/2024 16:18

Thanks @CormorantStrikesBack love the red Hobbs one.

OP posts:
Original poster
HarryPottersScar · 14/05/2024 16:36

So i'm now going down the that red dress option along with the bag it's styled with on the website, but I think it might need a belt. With this hat .

Would pink shoes be too much? (Coz I already have some and it would save me buying matchy ones!)

OP posts:
CormorantStrikesBack · 14/05/2024 16:42

Yes the Hobbs was my favourite. I love pink and red together so pink shoes would be fab.

I’ve no idea if a red hat or pink hat would be best. Not sure if it’s too try hard to match hat to shoes???

CormorantStrikesBack · 14/05/2024 16:42

Just seen the hat you’ve linked to, perfect combination of both colours.

CormorantStrikesBack · 14/05/2024 16:45

Is it out of stock though? I can’t even find it elsewhere

WalkWithMeSuzieLee · 14/05/2024 16:52

I absolutely love the red dress and red and pink hat combo!

xSideshowAuntSallyx · 14/05/2024 18:33

It's can be cold on that race course, even on a sunny day so take something to cover up with. Lower heeled shoes work better both for comfort and grass! You don't want to be that woman walking to the station bare foot! I've seen it many a time.

Enjoy! Used to go every year.

bridgetreilly · 14/05/2024 21:39

Pink belt would be fabulous.