Royal Ascot returns from Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th June 2026, and the Royal Ascot dress code is, as ever, just as big a talking point as the racing itself. Whether you’re heading to the Royal Enclosure for the first time or you’re a seasoned Queen Anne regular, getting your outfit right matters — leave it too late, and you’ll feel the stress.
This year, there’s extra reason to pay attention to the details. Royal Ascot’s annual style guide has had a glow-up: the Lookbook is now The Art of Dressing Well, Royal Ascot’s brand new Handbook for 2026, which creative director Daniel Fletcher has curated once again. There’s also a headline addition for 2026: Ascot has named Bright Tomato — a bold orange-red drawn from SS26 runway trends — as its first-ever official Colour of the Year. So expect to see it everywhere this season, from millinery to occasion dresses.
Below, we break down the official Royal Ascot dress code by enclosure, plus our edit of where to shop the look for every budget.
The Royal Ascot Handbook (formerly the Lookbook)
For 2026, Royal Ascot has updated its annual style guide — previously known as the Lookbook — into the new Handbook, with British designer Daniel Fletcher at the helm for a third year as creative director. British model Erin O’Connor fronts the 2026 edition, and the campaign builds around the idea of dressing as personal storytelling, blending heritage with a more modern, individual approach.
As before, you’ll find curated edits across categories including pre-loved and rental, Best of British, international and national dress, prints and patterns, luxe occasion wear, high street, and emerging designers — so there’s inspiration whatever your budget or enclosure.
The headline story for 2026, though, is colour. Ascot has named Bright Tomato — “an unapologetically vibrant hue” drawing from expert trend forecasting, SS26 runways and the Royal Ascot crowd itself — as the event’s first-ever official Colour of the Year. If you want one easy way to feel on-trend this season, reach for a tomato-red dress, tie or hat.
For the current edition of the Handbook, head to ascot.com.
Royal Enclosure Dress Code
The Royal Enclosure remains the strictest enclosure at Royal Ascot, and the core rules haven’t changed for 2026.
Women should follow these rules:
- Dresses and skirts must be of modest length (no shorter than knee-length)
- Straps must measure at least one inch wide
- Spaghetti straps, strapless, halter neck and off-the-shoulder styles aren’t allowed — even under a jacket or pashmina
- Outfits must cover the midriff
- Trouser suits are fine if they’re full-length to the ankle, in matching material and colour
- Jumpsuits or culottes work as a dress alternative, but they must fall below the knee
- Wear a hat or headpiece with a solid base at least 4 inches in diameter
- Fascinators aren’t permitted
For men:
Men should wear black or grey morning dress, including:
- A waistcoat
- A tie (cravats and bow ties aren’t permitted)
- A black or grey top hat, which you may only remove in designated outdoor areas, restaurants, private clubs, gardens, terraces and balconies
- Black shoes worn with socks
- An uncustomised top hat — no ribbons or bands
- No novelty waistcoats or ties, except “patriotic” designs based on national flags
For children (10–17):
Girls follow the ladies’ dress code, though they can wear a headpiece or fascinator instead of a hat. Boys can wear morning dress like the gentlemen’s code, or opt for a dark-coloured lounge suit with a shirt and tie.
Queen Anne and Village Enclosure Dress Code
The rules relax slightly for the Queen Anne and Village Enclosure, though formal wear still applies.
For women:
- You must wear a hat, headpiece or fascinator at all times
- Strapless, Bardot, off-the-shoulder and one-shoulder dresses and tops aren’t permitted
- Trouser suits must be full length and jumpsuits must fall below the knee — both follow the same neckline rules as dresses
- Outfits must cover the midriff
- Shorts aren’t permitted
For men:
- Wear a full-length suit with a collared shirt and tie
- Match your jacket and trousers
- Save bow ties and cravats for the Village Enclosure — they’re not allowed elsewhere
- Wear socks that cover the ankle
- Skip jeans and trainers entirely
- Chinos work, but only in the Village Enclosure
For children:
Children aged 17 and under should dress for a formal occasion. Girls can wear smart summer dresses, while boys over 9 need a suit or jacket with a shirt and tie. Younger boys should look smart but don’t need a jacket or tie, and girls don’t have to wear a hat or fascinator.
Windsor Enclosure
The Windsor Enclosure has no official dress code, but organisers ask all visitors to dress smartly. Women might add a hat or fascinator, while men should wear a jacket with a collared shirt and full-length trousers.
General Guidelines
Across the whole site, you won’t get away with fancy dress, novelty patterns, slogans, brand logos or promotional clothing — these rules apply to men, women and children alike. The same goes for denim, leggings, shorts and trainers, which are banned in every enclosure.
If you’re visiting from overseas, you’re welcome to wear National Dress or Service Dress. And if your national dress doesn’t include a hat or headpiece, you don’t need to add one.
Shop the Royal Ascot Look — By Edit
- Bright Tomato edit: Reformation tomato-red midi dresses and ASOS occasion in red/orange tones — perfect for tapping into the new Colour of the Year
- Archive & Rental: for pre-loved designer pieces, try HURR or Vestiaire Collective
- High Street: Sandro, Self-Portrait and Whistles all deliver on the day
- Millinery: Carol Kennelly Millinery featured multiple times in the 2026 Handbook, alongside Rachel Trevor-Morgan
- Menswear: hire a morning suit from Moss for the Royal Enclosure, or shop Charles Tyrwhitt for Queen Anne/Village tailoring
Whichever enclosure you’re in this year, one golden rule stands above the rest: check the official Royal Ascot dress code before you book your outfit, not after. And if you want to nail 2026’s biggest trend with zero effort, reach for a flash of Bright Tomato.
For the full Handbook and the latest dress code updates, head to ascot.com.
