What to Wear at Ascot | My Men's Style Recommendations

With Ascot upon us (June 18th - June 22nd) now’s the time to start thinking whether you're appropriately dressed. Don't leave it until the last minute to see if those ill-fitting dark blue chinos with the spaghetti sauce stain will be eligible for entree at the Queen Anne's Enclosure. (They're not by the way). 

So you know there are certain restrictions if you've purchased tickets for the enclosures and they can be found on the Royal Ascot website.  

One thing that is forbidden in all enclosures is the allowance of fancy dress, novelty and branded or promotional clothing. 

What SHOULD I wear to Ascot? I hear you cry. 

The thing with Ascot, is that you'll feel immediately under dressed if you don't make something of an effort. It's quite different to feeling under dressed at a black tie event. Under dressing for black tie is disrespectful. Under dressing for Ascot just shows lack of imagination. 

My advice? Retire your old race day suit, or relegate to the christening suit. No one cares about christenings or what people chose to wear to them. 

NEW SHIRT TIME

I'm going to offer up the Hawkins & Shepherd Blue Soyella Duecento Shirt. It's from my latest Luxury Collection and is hand crafted using the finest cotton fabric in the world. 

The Slim Fit shirt is our best fitting shirt, for that more tailored touch.  The fit is typically slimmer through the chest, waist and hip. The collar lining is medium-soft, so you won't feel like you're on your way to a board meeting. Although you'll look impeccable and nothing can truly beat the feel of a new shirt. 

The shirt is handmade using the finest Alumo Swiss fabrics, replete with mother of pearl buttons and finished with a double button mitred cuff. If you're a shirt enthusiast then I also offer a subscription service that will entitle you to a discount.  

NEW SUIT TIME

As regular readers of my blog know I'm a huge lover of Reiss. I'd love to have my shirts in the same conversations as some of their suits and here are some of the ones I imagine would work well with the Hawkins & Shepherd Blue Soyella Duecento Shirt. 

The Reiss Grove Single Breasted suit. One of the things I love about this suit is the texture leaps out at you. You can purchase this suit and make both the trousers and the blazer interchangeable with other garments. The slim fit wool-blend suit costs 275 GBP and has a modern feel, short in length, suppressed waist, only with slightly wider lapels than a modern fit would forgive. 

The jacket costs 275 GBP whilst the matching flat front trousers costs 135 GBP. 

WHY DON'T I BUY THE REISS SHIRT ALSO?

Sure, you have the option there for you. As well as purchasing the Leicester monk strap toe caps that Reiss also recommends. However, I'm always in favour of people mixing and matching, rather than simply shopping the mannequin. A bit like when your Aunty buys you the tie and matching pocket square. Never let anyone dictate your wardrobe to you, accept me of course.