Once again, it’s Ascot time, and things have certainly changed. While many people remember Ascot from My Fair Lady when Eliza Doolittle attends in the gorgeous black and white dress dreamt up by Cecil Beaton, that’s not the reality of today.
After last year’s races, new rules were put into place and there are even monitors at the entrance to the race course, to make sure you’ve come dressed properly. And they’ve issued a new Style Guide for 1912 2012.
Apparently, no fascinators are allowed in the Royal Enclosure. But this ostrich-feather hat is.
Skirts are to be knee-length.
Trouser suits are welcome. They should be of full length and of matching material and colour.
Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch (2.5cm) are not permitted.
The customization of top hats (with, for example, coloured ribbons or bands) is not permitted in the Royal Enclosure.
Oh, in case you think Ascot is the lovely quaint racecourse in My Fair Lady, think again!
Wouldn’t want to be stuck behind her in the stands!
Maybe we’ll hear something from our Ascot correspondent again this year!
I still remember when I went to Royal Ascot with my great aunt. That was many moons ago. I have stories to tell about it on another day. Have to put the puppy to bed now.
ReplyDeleteKathleen
Lucky you!
DeleteDown with pantsuits that have baggy crotch areas! Love the beige dress on the bottom right quadrant. The tophatted men in the other squares are looking at her, too. I mean, can't blame the bloke in the upper left quadrant... his date is wearing a bin lid on her head! 8-)
ReplyDeleteThat pink pantsuit is hideous! They could have found something much nicer than that.
DeleteNo fascinators? What were they thinking?
ReplyDeleteMary
I think that they fascinators had just gotten out of hand... especially after the royal wedding and beatrice and eugenie.
DeleteThank goodness there remain standards somewhere on this planet. I was most troubled by the explosion of Fascinators after the Royal Wedding last summer, and I'm most heartened that the powers that be have clamped down upon their inappropriate popularity. Long may the Fascinator be dead. Nasty thing, that! Reggie
ReplyDeleteAgree 100%. Beatrice and Eugenie killed the fascinator.
DeleteThis year's Ascot is a big talking point here in Australia. An unbeaten Australian horse ,Black Caviar, is racing in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on Sunday. I think the whole country will be racing with her.
ReplyDeleteI saw the race with Frankel which won by 11 lengths. I will have to put a fiver on Black Caviar!
DeleteFrankel's win was extraordinary, I'll be backing Black Caviar with you
DeleteI saw that the fashion police (really) were on duty to refuse entry to those who did not comply. Sometimes they were apparently "forgiving" by providing the lady with either a pashmina (really?) to cover up dresses only with straps, and with fascinators if they did not have a hat.
ReplyDeleteVide: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2161544/Royal-Ascot-fashion-police-patrol-course-opens-day-racing-ladies-stuck-dress.html
OMG... some of those images are hilarious - as are the captions.
DeleteWhat no fascinators!! That last one made my day, oh dear!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
2012 Artist Series
NO fascinators! Thank god.
DeleteF. Mercury here, what a bunch of Mad hatters
ReplyDeleteYou're not dead yet?
DeleteOMG I think that lady is wearing a whole British Flag on her head. No wonder they need guidelines. Have always wanted to go. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteIn every single image I've seen of her, she's hanging on to the hat!
DeleteSome of the hats are hysterical ! Thank god for the dress code. Pashmina? you don't say. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteHa! Wait until you see some of the images I've found!
DeleteSome had seen Ascot as an opportunity to accessorize in a Halloween Costume-like way and be photographed for the newspaper. Bravo for the Fashion Police to help put the focus back on the horses (and betting).
ReplyDeleteTDC... it's all about the betting. if you want to see something hilarious, look for the paddypower betting ads on youtube!
Deletetotally vulgur, but hysterical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdppQNOLoNI
I'll be there tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteAnd we want pictures!!
Delete