Royal Ascot 2006
Feb 25th, 2006, 07:06 AM
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Royal Ascot 2006
F/ites, I request your input. I have been engaged to create a lady's outfit for the June Ascot opening races, and in doing my design research I am curious about your no doubt wide range of impressions about the event -- from local or national perspectives, as an attendee or service personnel (like me) and/or all-around gambling louts. Naturally I have seen many photographs of the overall style but this American would like to hear your words.
As an aside, you will be amused to know that the Dress Code stipulates that a hat must be worn; strapless dresses are not permitted; and midriffs must be covered; the gentlemen wear 3-piece grey or black morning suits and of course Top Hats.
--a bit of whimsy on a cold snowy day--
As an aside, you will be amused to know that the Dress Code stipulates that a hat must be worn; strapless dresses are not permitted; and midriffs must be covered; the gentlemen wear 3-piece grey or black morning suits and of course Top Hats.
--a bit of whimsy on a cold snowy day--
Feb 25th, 2006, 10:16 AM
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Last night we watched the second in the Windsor Year series on PBS, which included footage from several days' worth of a Royal Ascot meet. All I can say is that the rule about no bare midriffs was more honored in the breach than in the observance.
But oh, those hats!
But oh, those hats!
Feb 25th, 2006, 10:42 AM
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It depends where you go.
The Royal Enclosure has the strictest dress code.
Premier Admission says that
"Both ladies and gentlemen are asked to dress in a manner appropriate to a smart occasion. Many gentlemen wear a shirt and tie with a jacket or suit. Please note that jeans, shorts, t-shirts and sports attire (including football, and rugby shirts, sweatshirts and trainers) are not permitted"
For General Admission no formal dress code applies except that bare tops are not permitted at any time.
People just choose to go where they will feel most comfortable
The Royal Enclosure has the strictest dress code.
Premier Admission says that
"Both ladies and gentlemen are asked to dress in a manner appropriate to a smart occasion. Many gentlemen wear a shirt and tie with a jacket or suit. Please note that jeans, shorts, t-shirts and sports attire (including football, and rugby shirts, sweatshirts and trainers) are not permitted"
For General Admission no formal dress code applies except that bare tops are not permitted at any time.
People just choose to go where they will feel most comfortable
Feb 25th, 2006, 10:50 AM
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I assume that your client has actually been invited into the Royal Enclosure.
Access is restricted to those who have either attended the Royal Enclosure in previous years or have been nominated by an existing badge holder. First time applicants must be nominated by a person who has been a badge holder for at least four years.
The strict dress-code you mention only applies to the Royal Enclosure.
Access is restricted to those who have either attended the Royal Enclosure in previous years or have been nominated by an existing badge holder. First time applicants must be nominated by a person who has been a badge holder for at least four years.
The strict dress-code you mention only applies to the Royal Enclosure.
Feb 25th, 2006, 10:53 AM
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Hi
I went to Royal Ascot last year when it was held in York. It was a really hot day and we took a picnic hamper of champagne, strawberries, roast chicken etc. I wasn't in the really posh bit, but where I was the vast majority of women wore hats and beautiful dresses. Tailored trousers for women were popular too. I did see a couple of men in jeans but they were very much the exception. We had a fantastic day, we cheered like crazy when the Queen drove past in her coach, my shoulders got sunburnt and my horses didn't win but I loved every minute of it.
M
I went to Royal Ascot last year when it was held in York. It was a really hot day and we took a picnic hamper of champagne, strawberries, roast chicken etc. I wasn't in the really posh bit, but where I was the vast majority of women wore hats and beautiful dresses. Tailored trousers for women were popular too. I did see a couple of men in jeans but they were very much the exception. We had a fantastic day, we cheered like crazy when the Queen drove past in her coach, my shoulders got sunburnt and my horses didn't win but I loved every minute of it.
M
Feb 25th, 2006, 11:00 AM
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The dress code Fidel describes applies ONLY for admission to the Royal Enclosure. This has to be applied for months in advance, and applications are accepted only from people sponsored by previous successful applicants. On Ladies' Day (the busiest of the week), Royal Enclosure ticket holders account for about 5% of Royal Ascot attendees. The only bare midriff I've ever seen there has been on the horses.
It's as much fun as any other event where dressing up is compulsory. Bare midriffs are banned, but plunging necklines aren't. I managed to tread on Princess Di's toes in the Enclosure when distracted by a particularly deep decolletage: the nobs aren't segregated from the rest of us.
The dress code in the Grandstands (30% of the crowd) is essentially lounge suit (though on the weekdays, most men in the stands wear morning dress and most women do buy exceptionally posh frocks). In 2004, there were a couple of women with midriff-revealing dresses, but they were pretty rare, and were related to the year's fashion.The behaviour code, though, seems to get boozier in these posh seats every year. By the end of the event, midriffs are practically the only part of the anatomy of many mature women not on display.
There's no dress code in the Silver Ring, where close to two-thirds of the attendees hang out. In practice, though, a larger and larger proportion of women in the Silver Ring now wear posh frocks, and few men dress particularly loutishly.
However, serious Silver Ring racegoers (as opposed to people going with chums for their one annual race) wear whatever they wear for other races. Women, incidentally, drink far less in the Silver Ring than in the stands, and generally hold it better. Men tend to be a good bit more pissed. I didn't spot many midriffs in 2004 (there wasn't a 2005 Royal Ascot), and none at all in earlier years.
The point about Royal Ascot, though, is that it's terrific fun. Gambling is far, far more important than the clothes (and not gambling is a more serious breach of the behaviour code than staying sober)- and so is serious overindulgence. I've tried Royal Ascot every way from the Royal Enclosure to a Tesco sandwich in the station car park: I've never seen anyone who wasn't having a great time.
It's as much fun as any other event where dressing up is compulsory. Bare midriffs are banned, but plunging necklines aren't. I managed to tread on Princess Di's toes in the Enclosure when distracted by a particularly deep decolletage: the nobs aren't segregated from the rest of us.
The dress code in the Grandstands (30% of the crowd) is essentially lounge suit (though on the weekdays, most men in the stands wear morning dress and most women do buy exceptionally posh frocks). In 2004, there were a couple of women with midriff-revealing dresses, but they were pretty rare, and were related to the year's fashion.The behaviour code, though, seems to get boozier in these posh seats every year. By the end of the event, midriffs are practically the only part of the anatomy of many mature women not on display.
There's no dress code in the Silver Ring, where close to two-thirds of the attendees hang out. In practice, though, a larger and larger proportion of women in the Silver Ring now wear posh frocks, and few men dress particularly loutishly.
However, serious Silver Ring racegoers (as opposed to people going with chums for their one annual race) wear whatever they wear for other races. Women, incidentally, drink far less in the Silver Ring than in the stands, and generally hold it better. Men tend to be a good bit more pissed. I didn't spot many midriffs in 2004 (there wasn't a 2005 Royal Ascot), and none at all in earlier years.
The point about Royal Ascot, though, is that it's terrific fun. Gambling is far, far more important than the clothes (and not gambling is a more serious breach of the behaviour code than staying sober)- and so is serious overindulgence. I've tried Royal Ascot every way from the Royal Enclosure to a Tesco sandwich in the station car park: I've never seen anyone who wasn't having a great time.
Feb 25th, 2006, 11:36 AM
#7
Couple of questions:
1. Why was there no Royal Ascot last year?
2. How could you possible call a race in York which is attended by the Queen "Royal Ascot" when Ascot is the name of the race track?
1. Why was there no Royal Ascot last year?
2. How could you possible call a race in York which is attended by the Queen "Royal Ascot" when Ascot is the name of the race track?
Feb 25th, 2006, 12:57 PM
#8
The track was closed for about 18 months for some refurbishment/building, so they moved the meeting up to York.
I've only been once - back in the 70's. Way back then I was about a size 2 petite and it was impossible to find a posh frock and I didn't have time to have one made. So I ended up in the childrens department at Harrods and got a sort of victorian looking dress that could (barely) pass as an adult's outfit. But I made up for it w/ a beautiful hat of very fine straw and flowers.
I've only been once - back in the 70's. Way back then I was about a size 2 petite and it was impossible to find a posh frock and I didn't have time to have one made. So I ended up in the childrens department at Harrods and got a sort of victorian looking dress that could (barely) pass as an adult's outfit. But I made up for it w/ a beautiful hat of very fine straw and flowers.
Feb 26th, 2006, 01:55 AM
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Barbara, in 2005 it was called "Royal Ascot at York" and despite initial doubts, York did themselves proud with organising it all.
There was a possibility that York would host it again in 2006, but then it was announced that the 'proper' Ascot would be ready.
There was a possibility that York would host it again in 2006, but then it was announced that the 'proper' Ascot would be ready.
Feb 26th, 2006, 02:29 PM
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Thank you for your charming stories -- I am still laughing. I think I'll find a book about the Ascot Races, and maybe someday will attend myself, hopefully in the Royal Enclosure.
Oct 13th, 2006, 03:51 PM
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Hello anyone, any suggestions. I would like to get tickets for Royal Enclosure. I have heard its difficult to get Royal Enclosure entry, besides the normal procedures of recomendation by someone of 4 years attendance etc, any other idea? I don't mind paying if just to get one entry to it after hearing so much, I would like to attend if there is an opportunity. Any idea of anyone/individual who could sponsor for 2007?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Oct 13th, 2006, 06:51 PM
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It's practically impossible to buy Royal Enclosure access through touts or as part of a corporate package.
However, many normal corporate invitations to Royal Ascot will come from organisations that have invested time over the years in getting Royal Enclosure badges. So if you're a significant customer of a pension fund, merchant bank or whatever, and you get an invitation to their box in the Stands for Royal Ascot, there'll typically be, say, a dozen guests and a couple of Royal Enclosure badges between them. Normally, that's enough for each guest to get into the Enclosure for one race. So being someone's serious customer(buying a few hundred million quidsworth of merchandise, or placing a few billion of pension funds) will often get you in.
Alternatively, there's a very limited allocation of badges to embassies and High Commissions. Typically, these are allocated to a country's visiting citizens by ballot for countries like Australia, or on the basis of sponsorship by a string puller for countries that don't believe in equal chances for all. Googling your country, "Ascot Royal Enclosure" and "embassy" or "High Commission" will usually throw up references to how your country deals with this.
The question is, though, whether it's really worth the hassle. Royal Enclosure access doesn't get you a better view of the races. Ordinary Grandstand tickets, in practice, have the same dresscode during the week, and get you into the parade ring and unsaddling enclosure, where the Royals go to before and after each race. Most of Britain's movers, shakers and Z-list Slebs are in the bars associated with the Grandstand. And the Royals are too busy hobnobbing with their mates to deal with the rest of us: they don't have the same obligation to come and talk to us all that they have, say, at a Buck House garden party.
It's also a great deal more socially acceptable to gawp at them in the parade ring than in the Royal Enclosure.
Incidentally, although Royal Ascot week employs a couple of thousand people in one way or another, working at the course doesn't get you into the Enclosure either.
However, many normal corporate invitations to Royal Ascot will come from organisations that have invested time over the years in getting Royal Enclosure badges. So if you're a significant customer of a pension fund, merchant bank or whatever, and you get an invitation to their box in the Stands for Royal Ascot, there'll typically be, say, a dozen guests and a couple of Royal Enclosure badges between them. Normally, that's enough for each guest to get into the Enclosure for one race. So being someone's serious customer(buying a few hundred million quidsworth of merchandise, or placing a few billion of pension funds) will often get you in.
Alternatively, there's a very limited allocation of badges to embassies and High Commissions. Typically, these are allocated to a country's visiting citizens by ballot for countries like Australia, or on the basis of sponsorship by a string puller for countries that don't believe in equal chances for all. Googling your country, "Ascot Royal Enclosure" and "embassy" or "High Commission" will usually throw up references to how your country deals with this.
The question is, though, whether it's really worth the hassle. Royal Enclosure access doesn't get you a better view of the races. Ordinary Grandstand tickets, in practice, have the same dresscode during the week, and get you into the parade ring and unsaddling enclosure, where the Royals go to before and after each race. Most of Britain's movers, shakers and Z-list Slebs are in the bars associated with the Grandstand. And the Royals are too busy hobnobbing with their mates to deal with the rest of us: they don't have the same obligation to come and talk to us all that they have, say, at a Buck House garden party.
It's also a great deal more socially acceptable to gawp at them in the parade ring than in the Royal Enclosure.
Incidentally, although Royal Ascot week employs a couple of thousand people in one way or another, working at the course doesn't get you into the Enclosure either.
Oct 14th, 2006, 03:48 AM
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flanneruk, thank you for your information. It's very helpful. I guess there is no other way to get 'sponsored' to the Royal Enclosure. It would be good to experience the environment though of course the Grandstand sounds friendlier.
