In recent years at Royal Ascot, spotting the worst of spectators' fashion has become as much of a national sport as the actual horse races.
But this year, there truly will be no excuse for being inappropriately dressed.
Organisers have deployed a squad of 'fashion police' to stand guard at the turnstiles and stop anyone flouting a new dress code – and hand out hats, pashminas, waistcoats and ties.
The team of 30 'dress-code assistants' have undergone special training to help them spot guests breaching the 16-page style guide laid out by race bosses.
About 300,000 people are expected to attend the annual week-long event in Windsor, which starts today.
As part of the tougher dress code, earlier this year Ascot announced that fascinators, a favourite with the Duchess of Cambridge, would no longer be acceptable for women in the royal enclosure.
Instead, the dress code states: 'Hats should be worn; a headpiece which has a base of four inches or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.'
Women are also expected to wear skirts or dresses of 'modest length' which fall just above the knee or longer.
This replaces previous guidance which stated miniskirts were 'unsuitable'.
Strapless, halterneck and spaghetti-strap dresses are banned and the pashminas will be offered to anyone who 'forgets' this rule.
Men must wear black or grey morning dress with a waistcoat and tie, a black or grey top hat and black shoes – but cravats are not welcome.
In the grandstand, which is open to the public, a hat or fascinator is now compulsory for women – a far cry from previous years when women race-goers were simply advised 'many ladies wear hats'. Men must wear a suit and tie.
There are no changes for the less formal Silver Ring, but men are reminded that 'bare chests are not permitted at any time'.
Charles Barnett, chief executive of Ascot, said: 'Ascot is Europe's flagship race meeting and one of the world's greatest sporting and social events.
'We have tried to provide an appropriate dress code that is clear, workable and in line with the wishes of racegoers.'
news source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk
But this year, there truly will be no excuse for being inappropriately dressed.
Organisers have deployed a squad of 'fashion police' to stand guard at the turnstiles and stop anyone flouting a new dress code – and hand out hats, pashminas, waistcoats and ties.
 |  |
About 300,000 people are expected to attend the annual week-long event in Windsor, which starts today.
As part of the tougher dress code, earlier this year Ascot announced that fascinators, a favourite with the Duchess of Cambridge, would no longer be acceptable for women in the royal enclosure.
Instead, the dress code states: 'Hats should be worn; a headpiece which has a base of four inches or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.'
 |  |
Women are also expected to wear skirts or dresses of 'modest length' which fall just above the knee or longer.
This replaces previous guidance which stated miniskirts were 'unsuitable'.
Strapless, halterneck and spaghetti-strap dresses are banned and the pashminas will be offered to anyone who 'forgets' this rule.
Men must wear black or grey morning dress with a waistcoat and tie, a black or grey top hat and black shoes – but cravats are not welcome.
In the grandstand, which is open to the public, a hat or fascinator is now compulsory for women – a far cry from previous years when women race-goers were simply advised 'many ladies wear hats'. Men must wear a suit and tie.
There are no changes for the less formal Silver Ring, but men are reminded that 'bare chests are not permitted at any time'.
Charles Barnett, chief executive of Ascot, said: 'Ascot is Europe's flagship race meeting and one of the world's greatest sporting and social events.
'We have tried to provide an appropriate dress code that is clear, workable and in line with the wishes of racegoers.'
news source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk