Secret Closet: Hatted Moments at Royal Ascot 2013

Where else can you wear the most outlandish hats and have professional ‘Dress Code Attendants’ with the power to stop you in your tracks, (pun intended) if you don’t meet the strict style rules set out by officials. The annual Royal Ascot 2013 has been underway from June 18 to June 22 in Windsor Park and as per tradition, saw ladies observe the style guide, which we will shortly share, to the letter in ever more imaginatively astonishing hair fascinators.

Queen Elizabeth and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall

We suppose the intrigue is magnified tenfold as the concept is so alien to us. However, if you can get past the initial shock, the head gear is simply a joy to witness. It seems there is a whole other competition in the background as genteel and courteous women battle it out in the race for the most extremist character hat. But to be fair, they are obliged by the centuries of honoured traditions and royal connotations associated with the event.



There are separate rules for the Grand Stands but you get the general idea. What we simply adore about the accessories is that even when we hate them, we love them! Milliner Phillip Treacy had a field day designing memorable creations for most of the famous faces at the races, and thanks to him, so far there have been more hits than misses.



Cloche hats are always adorable being the most innocent of the hat family, but they may not get you the same attention as perhaps wide brim hats with protruding antennas or birds sitting in a hat nest. Pill box hat shapes are by far the most style savvy and we love them as much as the similar statement side beret.



We haven’t had this much fun scoping hats since the royal wedding. But on a more serious note, a hat is a sign of propriety and quintessential grace and none wore it more gracefully than Aishwarya Rai Bachchan this year at the Royal Ascot 2013.



Ladies Dress Code for the Royal Enclosure

Formal day wear requirements are defined as follows:

•  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 four inches (10cm) or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.

Additionally, ladies are kindly asked to note the following:

•  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 and neither are headpieces, which do not have a base covering a sufficient area of the head (four inches/10cm).

Victoria Pendleton, Jackie St Clair

If you’re going to wear a floral hat, Orchids are a radiant choice and the cheerful hue is just loud enough to balance this lady’s classic navy dress. GB Olympian Victoria Pendleton wore the exact same wide brimmed Phillip Treacy hat with a stately white Emilia Wickstead dress. Another way to go is with a sprawling petal rose sculpture as seen on Jackie St Clair.

Katherine Jenkins, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Florence Claridge

The vibrant shocking pink and matching orange beret he designed for Katherine Jenkins, reminded us of a delectable, swirly scoop of ice cream with elegant tuiles adorning it.

Who knew Aishwarya could pull of a hat like an expert. She was picturesque in matching lace-on-lace and the pounds have completely melted away since we saw her at Cannes 2013. The towering floral head piece crowned her twirled locks beautifully.

Florence Claridge’s bouquet seemed to still be growing on her head. She certainly brightened up the surrounding scenery and kudos to her for so gracefully balancing the plant.

The gold delicate feathered hat is one of our favourites; it’s fitted gloriously with gold leaves in the centre and a dress to match.

Royal Ascot Dress Code Attendants

We are all for oversize accessories. However, we would draw the line at this dangerous looking contraption that could take someone’s eye out! The pearls and pink roses, however, are brilliant; in fact pearls on anything as far as we, are concerned, is a great idea.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2013.