Royal Ascot fashion

There is a long history of horse racing on the grounds at Ascot and it’s always had a royal association. King James I began the family tradition in the 16th century, becoming a huge supporter of horse races and equestrian sports. In 1711 Queen Anne was out riding near her home in Windsor Castle when she came upon an area of heath. She claimed it was “ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch.” Over the next few years she held a series of equestrian events on the site, which is the site of today’s Ascot race course.

The Royal Ascot event as we know it was born in the 18th century. For the first few years, a simple four-day Royal Meeting took place on the grounds once a year. It included a series of races and events but it lacked the wide appeal and glamour that we associate with the event today. In 1807 the Gold Cup race was introduced, beginning the transition to the shorter races and larger crowds that we are familiar with. To this day, the Gold Cup remains the centrepiece of the Ascot races.

In 1922 a Times journalist commented that Ascot was “notoriously the best place in England to see beautiful women in beautiful clothes.” Since the very beginning, Ascot has been synonymous with high fashion and elaborate couture, and hats and fine millinery have always been a key part of the dress code.

In the 19^th century the Prince Regent and his friend Beau Brummell cemented Ascot’s place in high fashion culture, insisting that respectable and elegant men must wear waisted black coats and white cravats with pantaloons when attending the races. As the years passed, this stylish look developed into the popular frock coat. 

As the fashions at the horse race began to gain in importance, some men began to adapt the look of the riding coat, known as a Newmarket coat, to make it suitable for formal attire. Eventually, this led to the appearance of what we now refer to as a morning coat.

By the early 20^th century Ascot had become a confirmed fashion fixture and much of the focus was on headwear. For both men and women, the races became a chance to flaunt fabulous hats.
During the early days of the races, hats were obligatory dress at all formal occasions. As the fashion for hat wearing began to fade throughout most of society, Ascot’s dress code continued to maintain high standards.

from the MacCarthy & Stone website