With fashion constantly evolving and the times constantly changing, it is no wonder that there are new rules governing fashion choices at Royal Ascot.

The fashion guidelines for the Grandstand state that women may not wear strapless dresses or reveal bare midriffs, skirts are to remain at a reasonable length and there will be no branding on clothes. Men are to be dressed in a shirt and tie. The Royal Enclosure stipulates that women are to wear hats and by no means will a headpiece-style fascinator pass as a hat. The gentlemen are to wear top hats, morning dress and black shoes.

And should you break any of these Royal Ascot fashion rules, be sure that one of the 20 “dress-code assistants” will be on hand to offer the gentlemen a tie to purchase or a pashmina for the ladies. Should you need a hat or waistcoat, one can be rented. The profits from these sales will be given to charity.

These new rules according to spokesman Nick Smith are in light of the fashion trends that have been seen at Royal Ascot last year. Instead of having scantily clad women and men wearing bacon and eggs hats, the new rules will better represent Royal Ascot. Smith said:

It needed to be reiterated that this is a formal event and we are proud of that although that does not mean that it has to be stuffy or old-fashioned.

There are not many events in society or real life where you have to dress up and people were glad we make the rules clear.

The new rules have been received with open arms by many racegoers. Milliner Mimi Theobals said:

We need to bring some class and elegance back into this world where so many girls look trashy.

[Source: Reuters]