What to wear to Royal Ascot? Increasingly: tailoring. A more considered approach to occasion dressing, defined by precision, individuality and intent.
Across the racecourse, a subtle evolution is unmistakable. Tailoring sits naturally alongside traditional occasionwear. Colour is worn with confidence. The rules remain, but feel more open in their interpretation. Ascot continues to hold a rare position in the calendar, where what you wear carries equal weight to why you attend.
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Beth wears our Flutter Sleeve Dress. Alison wears our Midi Skirt with Embroidery and Sleeveless Top with Bow. Brooke wears our Tuxedo Jacket.
Knatchbull x Kultura Magazine x Pembroke Club
On Day Three of Royal Ascot 2026, Knatchbull hosted an intimate gathering for friends of the brand, in partnership with Kultura Magazine.
The day began in Car Park One, one of the most recognised arrival points at Royal Ascot. Photographed, observed and quietly anticipated, it marks the beginning of Ascot as a social moment rather than simply a race meeting.
Set against the backdrop of the racecourse, the table reflected the same sense of considered occasion. Moët & Chandon, Rock Angel and Noam Beer were served throughout the afternoon, with Jeroboams and more of Moët flowing across the table.
Guests moved easily between conversation and observation, each bringing their own interpretation of Ascot dressing. Some leaned towards tradition, while others approached it through tailoring and proportion rather than embellishment.
From here, guests moved into the Royal Enclosure, the most formal and historic setting at Ascot. Defined by its strict dress codes and longstanding traditions, the Royal Enclosure remains central to the British social season. It is here that dressing is most closely observed, where heritage and modernity meet, and where the balance between adherence and individuality is most sharply defined.
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Lydia Forte wears our Puff Sleeve Blouse with Lace and a Made-To-Measure halter-neck waistcoat. Chloe wears our Draped Midi Dress in Crepe Backed Satin.
Daisy Knatchbull and Ascot Dressing
Our relationship with Royal Ascot has long been at the heart of our brand heritage.
Daisy's appearance in 2016, wearing a morning suit within the Royal Enclosure, redefined what women could wear to Ascot. What once felt unexpected now feels entirely natural.
Tailoring no longer sits outside occasion dressing at Ascot. It has become part of its language. Tailoring sits comfortably alongside more traditional forms of dressing, offering a modern alternative that feels both assured and resolved.
Ascot continues to act as a barometer for British style, where tradition provides the framework and individuality defines the result.
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Royal Ascot Dressing and Made to Measure
For those considering what to wear to Royal Ascot, tailoring has become a defining option.
Made to measure tailoring allows each garment to be developed with precision, shaped to the individual through fabric, cut and proportion. The result is occasionwear that feels deliberate rather than decorative.
This approach is particularly relevant for Ascot, where the balance between tradition and personal expression is essential. Commissioning a piece in advance allows time for fittings and refinement, ensuring the final result is resolved in both structure and detail.
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What should women wear to Royal Ascot in the Royal Enclosure
The Royal Enclosure has the strictest dress code at Ascot. Dresses and skirts must fall to the knee or longer, meaning at or just above the knee is not permitted. Straps on dresses and tops must be a minimum width of one inch, or approximately 2.5 centimetres. Strapless, off-the-shoulder and sheer styles are not permitted. Tailoring is accepted, provided it is formal, structured and worn with appropriate headwear.
Can women wear suits to Royal Ascot
Yes. Tailoring is now an established part of Royal Ascot dressing. A well-cut suit, particularly when made to measure, offers a refined and modern alternative to traditional day dresses. Within the Royal Enclosure, tailoring must still adhere to the principles of formality, proportion and finish, which is why precision of cut and fabrication is essential.
What is made to measure tailoring for Royal Ascot
Made to measure tailoring for Ascot focuses on achieving the correct balance between structure and individuality. Each garment is created using a pre-developed pattern that is adapted to the client’s measurements, allowing for accuracy in fit, proportion and line. This ensures the finished look meets the requirements of the dress code while remaining distinctly personal.
How long does made to measure or bespoke Ascot tailoring take
For Royal Ascot, made to measure tailoring typically requires up to twelve weeks from initial consultation to final fitting. For truly bespoke tailoring, the process can extend to eighteen weeks, reflecting the additional fittings, pattern development and hand-finishing involved, including baste fittings. This extended timeline allows for a more considered approach, including coordination with milliners and accessory partners to ensure the full look is resolved cohesively.
