FASHION, COLOURS AND FUN: The Royal Ascot is set to dazzle

ENGLAND, LONDON - The Royal Ascot is here again. Hurray! It's time to feed your eyes with the latest fashion from Europe - loys of eye popping hats, fancy dress and suits. This year, a new dress code has been issued. So, if you are

interested in cool fashion or you are a designer or if you are thinking of attending the event this year be sure to read on...

Why you should attend:

Royal Ascot 2012 is from Tuesday 19th to Saturday 23rd June and the Royal Ascot is one of the pinnacle events of the summer social season. (Though I'm not a fan of horses or racing) the racecourse will be playing its part, in this historic year, in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Anybody who is somnbody will be at the Ascot this year - The Royal Meeting will certainly be one of the must-attend events of the year! So, it a wonderful time to enjoy all of the pageantry and history of a British day out.

What else:

There will be fine dining, refreshements and picnics. And, lots of gentlmen and ladies presumably!

What to wear: 
Royal Enclosure Dress Code

Ladies - formal wear  

• Dresses and skirts should be of modest length defined as falling just above the knee or longer

• Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater
•  Jackets and pashminas may be worn but dresses and tops underneath should still comply with the Royal Enclosure dress code
• Trouser suits are welcome. They should be of full length and of matching material and colour
• Hats should be worn; a headpiece which has a base of 4 inches (10cm) or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat, (such as gele).

Special Note:

• Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch (2.5cm) are not permitted
• Midriffs must be covered
•  Fascinators are no longer permitted in the Royal Enclosure; neither are headpieces which do not have a base covering a sufficient area of the head (4 inches / 10cm).
• Shorts are not permitted.

Gentlemen
Gentlemen are kindly reminded that it is a requirement to wear either black or grey morning dress which must include:

• A waistcoat and tie (no cravats)
• A black or grey top hat
•  Black shoes.

A gentleman may remove his top hat within a restaurant, a private box, a private club or that facility’s terrace, balcony or garden.  Hats may also be removed within any enclosed external seating area within the Royal Enclosure Garden.

The customisation of top hats (with, for example, coloured ribbons or bands) is not permitted in the Royal Enclosure.

Children (admitted on Friday and Saturday only)
Girls and boys (aged 10-16) must be in formal wear.

Overseas Visitors
Overseas visitors are welcome to wear the formal National Dress of their country or Service Dress.

Serving Military Personnel
Serving military personnel are welcome to wear Service Dress or equivalent.

Here we go!

More information at THE ROYAL ASCOT