Ascot dress code: how to get the perfect look
Huntsman creative director Campbell Carey on how to choose a great outfit for a day at the races
People often ask me what the key to dressing well is, and the answer is simple: be sure your garments are well maintained, adequately pressed, and well fitted. You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to look good; ensuring your outfit is considered and comfortable is key.
These same exact rules apply to dressing for Ascot, possibly even more so, as it is all about "peacocking" and asserting your style. Ensuring you have all of the correct components of morning wear is essential.
The perfect Ascot outfit
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Of course, there are quite a few obscure styling details when it comes to morning dress. For example, there are white cotton Marcella strips called "dress slips" that fasten underneath the waistcoat, and are only intended to peek through underneath to give the impression of layered waistcoats. The slips frame the outfit, giving an immaculately clean aesthetic.
Cashmere trousers are a traditional and essential element to morning wear, but curiously, cashmere striped trousers aren’t actually made out of cashmere, as many believe.
Obviously, at Ascot a top hat must be worn at all times - apart from when entering a building or marquee.
Morning wear is one of the most traditional forms of tailoring, with very specific components. It is for this reason that the traditional styling is rarely deviated from. Some may wish to update their morning wear by choosing a contrasting coloured waistcoat. Other than that, you will very rarely see anyone in the Royal Enclosure wearing anything too extravagant or far from the classic morning wear silhouette.
At Huntsman, we manage to retain our traditional heritage, yet are moving forward with the times. Having traded for more than three centuries, we are the go-to for classic bespoke tailoring.
From top (hat) to toe
To get the perfect look starting from the top, your hat should fit correctly. I would personally go to Lock and Co and have your top hat measured and fitted using their bespoke service.
The traditional cloth of a morning coat is black feather weave, which gives a very specific aesthetic.
The trousers should always be cut to be worn with braces. As for stripe size, go for a mid-width stripe with a strong contrast between the black and grey, which elongates the wearer's legs.
The way in which Ascot-goers can differentiate themselves from the crowds is through their choice of accessories; a paisley tie always looks very smart, especially with a pocket square that incorporates similar hues.
Follow these simple rules and you will be in perfect shape for the big day.
For more, visit huntsmansavilerow.com
Huntsman creative director Campbell Carey
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 10, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - civic duty, uncertain waters, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 ladylike cartoons about women's role in the election
Cartoons Artists take on the political gender gap, Lady Liberty, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The right to die: what can we learn from other countries?
The Explainer A look at the world's assisted dying laws as MPs debate Kim Leadbeater's proposed bill
By The Week Published
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
By The Week UK Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published
-
Sing Sing review: prison drama bursts with 'charm, energy and optimism'
The Week Recommends Colman Domingo plays a real-life prisoner in a performance likely to be an Oscars shoo-in
By The Week UK Published
-
Kaos review: comic retelling of Greek mythology starring Jeff Goldblum
The Week Recommends The new series captures audiences as it 'never takes itself too seriously'
By The Week UK Published
-
Blink Twice review: a 'stylish and savage' black comedy thriller
The Week Recommends Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie stun in this film on the hedonistic rich directed by Zoë Kravitz
By The Week UK Published
-
Shifters review: 'beautiful' new romantic comedy offers 'bittersweet tenderness'
The Week Recommends The 'inventive, emotionally astute writing' leaves audiences gripped throughout
By The Week UK Published
-
How to do F1: British Grand Prix 2025
The Week Recommends One of the biggest events of the motorsports calendar is back and better than ever
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Twisters review: 'warm-blooded' film explores dangerous weather
The Week Recommends The film, focusing on 'tornado wranglers', stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell
By The Week UK Published