Dressing for the Season
Spring is here…and whether you are planning to go to Ascot, Henley or a wedding, it is time to start thinking about your wardrobe as each event during the season has a dress code. Forward planning avoids last minute mistakes! Imagine being turned away at Ascot – I’ve seen it happen. Even a Chanel outfit won’t get you in if it is too short!
My top tips for the Royal Enclosure at Ascot:
• Dress and skirt hemlines must be just above the knee or longer.
• Dress shoulder straps must be at least 2.5cm wide – even when worn with a jacket or pashmina.
• Trouser suits can be worn but trousers must be full length and the jacket needs to be a matching fabric and colour.
• A hat or headpiece is essential and must have a base of at least 10cm diameter – so no feathery fascinators!
• Henley Regatta also has a dress code if you are going to be in the Stewards Enclosure and they expect the hems of ladies dresses to be longer than at Ascot – nothing above the knee. Wearing a hat is customary but not compulsory.
And then there’s family and friends weddings. The dress code will usually be stipulated on the invitation and could be anything from relaxed casual to black tie – easy for the men but it’s harder for women to decide on the right outfit.
In the past, it was a lot simpler as marriages were in a church or registry office followed by a hotel or marquee. But today you could find yourself in a field or on a beach.
No longer is a jacket or coat de rigueur in fact in recent years I am making these items less and less as people often opt for a dress with sleeves.
Another dilemma is whether to wear anything on your head. If you are attending a one-venue wedding where the ceremony and reception are all held under the same roof you may well not go outside, so is a hat or fascinator necessary?
Personally I feel the mother of the bride and mother of the groom should mark their position in the wedding hierarchy by wearing something on their head although probably not a large hat.
Footwear needs some thought too as you find yourself in a garden, field or barn and with our English climate heels could spell disaster. Amazon sell heel protectors to stop you sinking into the grass and which also solve another problem – venues with wooden floors will not be happy to see a pair of stilettos.
Getting it right takes time – so start now and when the day of your special event comes you will be looking your best and prepared for everything – even the weather.
Leave A Comment