What to Wear to Ascot: Style Choices for the Perfect Ascot Outfit

STYLE GUIDE OCCASION DRESSING SUMMER 2026

By Ella Blake | Tellar Fashion Hub | June 2026

An Ascot outfit can absolutely make or break your day — and the good news is that getting it right is far easier than the Royal Enclosure dress code makes it sound. The golden rule? Think elegant, polished, and occasion-appropriate from head to toe. A beautifully tailored midi dress, a proper hat, and heels that won't sink into the turf: that's your starting point.

I'll be honest — I've had my Ascot fashion moments and my Ascot fashion disasters. The year I turned up in a floaty garden-party maxi dress (below the knee, technically fine, but completely wrong in energy), I felt underdressed the whole day. The following year, I went all in with a structured sage green dress suit from Hobbs, a cream brimmed hat, and block-heeled court shoes — and I felt like I actually belonged. Lesson well and truly learnt. Ascot rewards effort, and it rewards structure.

First, Know the Dress Code

If you're heading to the Royal Enclosure, there are actual rules — not just suggestions. Here's what you need to know:

Dresses and skirts must fall below the knee
Trouser suits are permitted, but the trousers must be full-length
A hat or headpiece is mandatory — it must have a solid base of at least 4 inches in diameter
Strapless, off-the-shoulder, or spaghetti-strap tops are not permitted (straps must be 1 inch wide or more)
Midriff must be covered

Other enclosures are more relaxed, but honestly, if you're going to Ascot, you might as well dress the part. It's one of the best excuses to buy something properly beautiful.

The Dress: Your Starting Point

A midi dress is the ultimate Ascot base — elegant, flattering on almost every body shape, and gives you the best canvas for accessories. Look for structured fabrics: jacquard, scuba, brocade, or lightweight wool crepe. Avoid anything too floaty or too clingy — neither looks quite right on a racecourse.

Phase Eight — absolutely consistently excellent for Ascot dressing. Their occasion midi dresses hit every mark: the right length, the right cut, the right fabrics. A go-to every single year, and genuinely good value for the quality.
Hobbs — structured, British, and built for exactly this kind of occasion. Their tailored dress suits and A-line midi dresses are perennial Ascot classics. Their sage and navy colourways are particularly strong this season.
Coast — great for more embellished options if you want something with a bit more drama. Think ruched satin, floral jacquard, and cape-back details. Perfect if you want to make an impact without going OTT.
Reiss — their minimal, sharp-cut midi dresses are for the woman who prefers quiet elegance over florals. Premium feel, excellent tailoring, and the sort of pieces that genuinely last.
Whistles — unexpected perhaps, but brilliant for a more understated Ascot look. Their clean-lined occasion pieces in ivory, stone, or dusty rose are genuinely chic without trying too hard.

For premium: LK Bennett is practically the patron saint of Ascot dressing — their fit-and-flare and wrap-style occasion dresses are beautifully made and sized consistently well. Worth every penny.

For luxury/designer: Emilia Wickstead is the ultimate Ascot designer — structured, sculptural, and impossibly elegant. If you're investing in something special, this is where I'd look first. Alternatively, Erdem for floral occasion dressing that's refined rather than fussy.

The Hat: Non-Negotiable, Actually Wonderful

I used to find hat shopping stressful. Now I find it one of the most joyful parts of the whole process. A proper hat transforms an outfit — it makes the whole look intentional and complete.

Jigsaw — surprisingly strong millinery options at a mid-range price point. Clean shapes, good brims, and neutral colourways that work with almost anything.
Monsoon — brilliant for more embellished or fascinatory-style hats with florals and feathers. Good for the enclosures where you want a bit more personality.
Ted Baker — their occasion hats consistently get great reviews, with beautiful detailing and a range of shapes from wide brim to pillbox styles.

Independent pick: Beverley Edmondson Millinery — a small British milliner whose hand-blocked hats are genuinely stunning. She creates bespoke and ready-to-wear pieces that look ten times their price point. Not a household name yet, but absolutely should be. Worth every penny if you want something that feels truly personal.

Colour Palette: What Actually Works

This is where people go wrong. Ascot isn't Glastonbury — leave the head-to-toe bold primary colours for braver souls than me. Here's what I'd recommend:

Ivory, champagne, or soft white — eternally elegant, works with any hat colour
Dusty rose, blush, or soft lilac — feminine without being saccharine
Sage green or olive — unexpected but incredibly chic against a summer racecourse
Navy or cobalt blue — classic, sharp, always right
Soft yellow or butter — joyful, summery, and surprisingly flattering on many skin tones

If you do go bold — cobalt, poppy red, or emerald — commit entirely. Hat, bag, and shoes should all feel considered and cohesive. Half-measures look like an accident.

Shoes: The Ascot Challenge Nobody Talks About Enough

You will be walking on grass. You will be standing for extended periods. A stiletto heel is a guaranteed turf-sinking disaster, and by 4pm, your feet will be staging a full protest. Trust me on this one.

LK Bennett — their block-heeled court shoes are the definitive Ascot shoe. Kitten heels and block heels in every shade, and genuinely comfortable enough to wear all day.
Jigsaw — good block heel options in leather and suede that look polished without the torture element.
Boden — underrated for shoes. Their heeled mules and kitten heel sandals are elegant, properly made, and very comfortable.

Independent pick: Emmy London — a British bridal and occasion shoe designer who makes the most beautiful block-heeled court shoes, many of which are Ascot-perfect. Their colour range is exceptional, and they offer half sizes for a proper fit. Absolutely worth the investment for a special occasion.

The Finishing Touches

Keep accessories edited and intentional:

A structured clutch or small box bag — nothing with a long strap, it'll look out of place
Jewellery should be real or convincingly real — delicate gold, pearl, or fine silver
A light cover-up or tailored jacket if the weather is uncertain — Me&Em do beautiful lightweight blazers that work brilliantly as occasion cover-ups
Consider hat elastic or pins — a hat that blows off in the wind is nobody's friend

Getting Your Size Right for Ascot Shopping

Here's something I genuinely wish I'd known years ago: sizing across occasion wear brands varies wildly. A size 12 in Phase Eight fits completely differently to a size 12 in Reiss or LK Bennett — and when you're buying online for a specific event, getting it wrong is genuinely stressful.

That's exactly why Tellar.co.uk exists — and it's completely free. Tellar is the UK's leading sizing tool, matching your exact measurements to 1,500+ brands instantly, so you know your precise size before you even add to basket. No more cross-referencing five different size guides and still getting it wrong.

Measure once — bust, waist, and hips — and Tellar does the rest. You can use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your exact size in any brand, from Hobbs to Coast to LK Bennett. It works in-browser, no download needed, and it's always free.

And while you're there, the Tellar Fashion Hub has a whole library of free style guides — honest, unsponsored, and written by stylists who actually know their stuff. No ads, no affiliate spin, just genuine advice. Check out some of the most popular reads:

Honestly, sort your size out first — everything else becomes much easier from there. Visit tellar.co.uk before you start shopping.