Summer has arrived, and with it a packed social calendar. Plenty of stylish society events dominate the hotter months of the year, from Royal Ascot to Wimbledon, where royals like Prince Harry rub shoulders with with A-listers like Bradley Cooper and Emma Watson.
If you're lucky enough to have scored a ticket to one such event, you're going to want to look the part - particularly as many have a firm dress code.
Here's our handy Insider guide to getting it right, whatever the event.
Polo
Dates: Cartier Queen’s Cup Final (June 16), King Power Gold Cup (17 and 21 July)
Dress code: The summer is always dominated by polo championships, all attended by stylish royals and celebrities in their finest. Across all of the major polo tournaments there’s a blanket smart casual rule for men and women, unless you’re in a higher tier enclosure or you’ve paid for a VIP ticket.
Many of the events expressly ban shorts, flip flops, beach attire and trainers, so it's best to steer clear of them altogether (or risk being denied entry).
For the Cartier Queen’s Cup Final, you’ll have to step things up a notch if you’re rubbing elbows with Prince Harry and Queen Elizabeth in the Royal Box. Men are encouraged to wear collared shirts and ties, lounge suits, jackets or blazers, trousers and chinos while ladies are expected to wear dresses, skirts or tailored trousers.
What to wear to the polo
Rixo Gio Micro Tulip Mixed Dress
Wald Berlin Shell and Pearl Headband
£125 | Harrods | Buy it now
Ulla Johnson Perle Leather-Trimmed Wicker Shoulder Bag
£285 | Ulla Johnson | Buy it now
Cult Gaia Tao Two-Tone Satin Sandals
£438 | Moda Operandi | Buy it now
Royal Ascot
Dates: June 18-22
Dress code: As one of the earliest high profile events in the summer calendar, Royal Ascot sees the Royal Family decked out in truly fabulous hats. On the website, Ascot says the event is “synonymous with sartorial elegance” and that its strict dress code dates back to the 19th century.
With several different enclosures and different dress codes, the Royal Enclosure is the strictest. “Formal daywear” is the order of the day there for women and although monochrome trouser suits and jumpsuits (as well as dresses and skirts naturally) are acceptable, everything needs to fall either below the knee or to the ankle.
As far as blouses and dresses go, “strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps” are banned and you’ll have to give the crop tops and cut-outs a miss, as your midriff needs to be completely covered. In fact, they’re so serious about the no spaghetti straps rule that they’ve even specified that straps need to be at least “one inch or greater” in thickness.
Hats are also a must for the Royal Enclosure, though headpieces are allowed providing they’re at least 4 inches in diameter. Fascinators have to stay at home.
There’s less wiggle room for men in the Royal Enclosure, as they’re expected to wear black or grey morning dress. Beyond the standard morning coat and trouser combo, men are also expected to wear a waistcoat and tie, black shoes and socks as well as a black or grey top hat. For those hoping to bring a quirky twist to their hat with a crimson ribbon or feather, it's a hard no from Ascot as embellishments are banned (though there is an exception for patriotic ties and waistcoats).
Further down the list, you’ll also have to dress formally for the Queen Anne Enclosure and the Village Enclosure. The women’s dress code is pretty similar to the Royal Enclosure, however they’ve relaxed the rules on how long a dress or skirt can be. While you’ll have to wear a hat or headpiece at all times, you can squeeze in a fascinator. Shorts are totally banned, as well as sheer dresses and tops.
Men are expected to wear a “full-length suit with a collared shirt and tie”, however mixing and matching colours and patterns is not allowed. Shoes and socks are also a must, however bow ties, cravats, jeans, chinos and trainers are forbidden in the Queen Anne Enclosure. Although you can get away with chinos, bow ties and cravats in the Village Enclosure.
The most relaxed area is the Windsor Enclosure, where there isn’t an official dress code for men or women. However, Ascot recommends that spectators should dress in “smart daywear” and it’s worth sticking to the Village Enclosure’s dress code if you want to fit in.
In all the enclosures, members of the armed forces are allowed to wear their service dress and overseas visitors can wear their national costume.
Fancy dress, heavily branded or promotional clothing and novelty-wear is also banned from Ascot.
What to wear to Royal Ascot
Kitri Siena Pink Floral Tea Dress
£125 | Kitri | Buy it now
Marzi Floral Hat
£490 | Harrods | Buy it now
Shrimps Beaded Bag with House Design
£973 | Farfetch | Buy it now
Souliers Martinez Sevilla Woven Leather Pumps
£410 | NET-A-PORTER | Buy it now
Wimbledon
Dates: 1-14 July, 2019
Dress code: While tennis players like Andy Murray and Johanna Konta will be expected to wear white on Centre Court, spectators like the tennis loving Kate Middleton have to adhere to a slightly different dress code.
Although it isn’t explicitly stated, many visitors choose to come in a smart casual style and even pay homage to the players’ crisp white looks.
Wimbledon also recommends on its website that you should wear comfortable and appropriate footwear, as their “grounds are large and hilly” - adding that “flip flops and high heels are not recommended”.
Sadly, you’ll have to leave your massive Hermione Granger-esque bag at home as Wimbledon bans bags bigger than 16” x 12” x 12”. Although we personally love Pharrell’s meme-worthy hat, oversized hats are also banned as well as “objects bearing political statements or commercial identification intended for ‘ambush marketing’”.
In fact, Wimbledon has cracked down on ambush marketing fiercely in recent years and said that they would even go as far as to “refuse entry to spectators who are not prepared to surrender [ambush marketing clothing/objects]” at the entrance.
Berta Cabestany Cranc Dress
£311 | Berta Cabestany | Buy it now
Aspinal of London Ladies Riviera Sunglasses
£165 | Aspinal of London | Buy it now
Danse Lente Mini Johnny Bag
£325 | Moda Operandi | Buy it now
Nicholas Kirkwood Beya Textured Leather Slingback Flats
£395 | NET-A-PORTER | Buy it now
Henley Royal Regatta
Dates: 3-7 July
Dress code: Glamorous spectators like Grace Kelly set the tone for this famed rowing event, which sees swathes of visitors decked out in colourful blazers and straw hats cheering on boats as they surge down the river. As with many events on this list, different dress codes apply depending on which area you’re in.
In the exclusive members-only Stewards Enclosure, guests are expected to dress smartly or risk being kicked out or denied entry to the space. According to the Royal Regatta’s website, men have to wear “lounge suits, or jackets or blazers with flannels, together with a tie or cravat”. Despite the summer heat, men are also banned from wearing shorts or jeans.
Dresses and skirts with a “hemline below the knee” are required for women, and there’s no room for interpretation as the website specifically declares that “divided skirts, culottes or trousers of any kind” will see you barred entry. Women are also strongly encouraged to wear hats and large bags are also prohibited, though you can check them in.
For those who haven't scored a Stewards Enclosure badge, the other option is to go into the Regatta Enclosure where there isn’t a strict dress code. However, the official website does strongly suggest that people “dress up” in “club blazers and other rowing apparel”.
What to wear to the Royal Regatta
Sister Jane Ladybird Check Midi Dress
£79 | Sister Jane | Buy it now
Rosantica Lira Gold-Tone, Bead and Shell Tote
£900 | NET-A-PORTER | Buy it now
Emily-London Bernache Resort Hat
£245 | Harvey Nichols | Buy it now
Alexandre Birman Vicky Knotted Leather Wedge Sandals
£450 | Alexandre Birman | Buy it now
Goodwood Festival
Dates: July 30 - August 3
Dress code: Goodwood boasts that its annual summer event “lives and breathes quintessential English style". With three different enclosures of varying fanciness (and price), there’s also three separate dress codes.
The cream of the crop is the luxe Richmond Enclosure, where you’re more likely to run into the likes of previous attendees Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. Jeans, trainers and shorts are banned in this area. According to the official website, men have to wear a jacket and either a tie, cravat or polo-neck sweater. For boys aged 7-15, the rules relax slightly, though they are “kindly encouraged” to wear a collared shirt.
For women there are no hard and fast rules though Goodwood recommends that you should “dress stylishly but with a relaxed feel” and to “leave your stiletto heels at home”, as you’ll have a hard time walking along the grounds’ grassy field.
The Gordon Enclosure is the next tier down and has “no strict dress code”, however Goodwood recommends that spectators adhere to a smart casual outfit. While not expressly banned, shorts, trainers and sportswear are frowned upon.
The final enclosure is the casual Lennox Enclosure where anything goes. Sadly for those keen to dress up in a blow up dinosaur outfit however, fancy dress is banned in all of the enclosures and men will also have to leave their sleeveless tops at home.
Goat Brigitte Wool-Crepe Dress
£620 | MATCHESFASHION.COM | Buy it now
Philip Treacy Two-tone Sinamay Straw Hat
£990 | NET-A-PORTER | Buy it now
Pop & Suki Mini Box Bag
£289 | Farfetch | Buy it now
And of course, if you're out all day in the sunshine - you're going to want to bring a small beauty bag full of essentials with you.
Summer beauty essentials
Lancaster Sun Control Face Fluid for Anti-Wrinkles and Dark Spots
£30 | Look Fantastic | Buy it now
Glossier Haloscope Highlighter
£18 | Glossier | Buy it now
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk
£24 | Cult Beauty | Buy it now
