How I Stuck to the Strict Dress Code at Royal Ascot (Exclusive)
How I Stuck to the Strict Dress Code at Royal Ascot (Exclusive)
Kirsty HatcherFri, June 19, 2026 at 7:13 PM UTC
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Prince William and Kate Middleton and PEOPLE's Kirsty Hatcher at Royal Ascot 2026Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage; Kirsty Hatcher -
Royal Ascot features a strict dress code, especially in the exclusive Royal Enclosure area, where the royal family attends the annual horse racing event
Outfits are closely monitored for compliance, with just some of the rules banning sheer fabrics, spaghetti straps and costumes
A PEOPLE staffer shares how they dressed to comply with the rules
PEOPLE is off to the races!
Royal Ascot, the annual horse racing event attended by the royal family, is taking place at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England, this week, and attendance at the prestigious races requires royals and racegoers alike to follow a strict dress code.
PEOPLE attended day two of the event on June 17 with Silent Pool Gin, the official gin of Royal Ascot, and spent the day in a private box within the Royal Enclosure, which is home to the Royal Box that was hosting King Charles, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton and Prince William.
The Royal Enclosure is Ascot's most exclusive area, and those in attendance (members of the Royal Enclosure and their guests) have a particular set of fashion rules to adhere to that are more rigorous than the three other enclosures at Ascot.
Here's everything to know about the dress code within the Royal Enclosure.
Headwear must be worn
The Royal Ascot 2026 'Official Racecard' pictured alongside our hatinator and Royal Enclosure name tagCredit: Kirsty Hatcher
Hats and headpieces are an iconic part of Royal Ascot, with extravagant and bespoke creations featuring feathers, netting, bows and everything in between all on display.
According to the Ascot website, hats must be worn in the Royal Enclosure, but for ladies, a headpiece or hatinor (a hybrid headpiece that combines a hat and a fascinator) is also allowed, though it must have a base that's at least four inches wide.
With the measurements in mind and the saying of "the bigger the better" often coming into play with ladies' headwear at Royal Ascot, I got out our tape measure and opted for a cream-colored hatinator with a lily pad-inspired design that was 12 inches in width and topped with looped bows.
PEOPLE's Kirsty HatcherCredit: Kirsty Hatcher
Gentlemen are required to wear black or grey top hats only, with customized hats not making the list. The headgear can be removed within a restaurant or a private box, as well as within "an enclosed external seating area, terrace, balcony or garden," per the Ascot website.
Another traditional addition to outfits within the Royal Enclosure is name tags. "Royal Enclosure Members and their guests must wear badges in their own name, and badges must not be worn by anyone other than the named individual," the website reads. "Badges can only be worn whilst adhering to the Royal Enclosure dress code."
Dresses, skirts and jumpsuits should be a minimum length
Kate Middleton at Royal Ascot 2026Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage
When it comes to dresses and skirts, the length of the item needs to fall just above the knee or longer. Jumpsuits are also permitted, as long as they fall below the knee, while women can also wear trouser suits of matching material and color.
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The Princess of Wales, 44, wore a bright yellow custom Roksanda Brigitte dress with a full skirt that fell just above the ankle on June 17, which marked her first time at Royal Ascot in three years. She matched her hat to her dress, opting for a Jane Taylor piece featuring veiling. Princess Kate has worn the tea-length dress on a number of other occasions, including at the women's singles final at Wimbledon 2022.
Some of the fashion rules women must follow at Royal AscotCredit: ascot.com
I also opted for yellow, wearing a butter shade maxi dress with a peplum top and straight skirt that was nearing floor-length from British clothing brand Nobody's Child.
Spaghetti straps, halters and strapless items don't make the cut
PEOPLE's Kirsty Hatcher in the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot 2026Credit: Kirsty Hatcher
Much like the width of hats and hatinators, straps on tops and dresses are required to be of a minimum width, while spaghetti straps, halters and one-shoulder items are not allowed in the Royal Enclosure.
Shoulder straps on dresses and tops have to be at least an inch wide, with Silent Pool co-founder Ian McCulloch telling PEOPLE that racegoers' outfits can often be checked and measured before they enter the Royal Enclosure to check they meet the guidelines.
Material matters
King Charles and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot 2026Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty
While lace and chiffon are allowed, sheer fabrics (defined as "any type of fabric that is see-through/entirely transparent," per the Ascot website) are a no-go. Racegoers also can't have their midriff or waist on display, putting cropped and cutout tops and dresses firmly on the do not wear list.
On colder race days, guests can wear a jacket, shawl or wrap, but their tops and dresses beneath still need to follow the race day rules.
Gentlemen must wear what's called "morning dress" in black, grey or navy material and black dress shoes with socks covering the ankle. The three-piece morning suit features a long tailcoat, a waistcoat and necktie. Cravats, bow ties and neckerchiefs do not make the guidelines.
Some of the fashion rules men must follow at Royal AscotCredit: ascot.comCostumes are a no-no
Kate Middleton and Prince William dressed up for Royal Ascot 2026Credit: The Prince and Princess of Wales/X
Costumes in any form are not permitted at Royal Ascot. Along with costumes, branded or promotional clothing also isn't allowed, in keeping with the tradition of wearing what the racecourse calls "summer occasionwear" which is "woven into the very essence of the event."
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"Racegoers must adhere to the guidance outlined on this page, choosing to follow in full a dress code they feel most comfortable with," per the Ascot website.
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