Ascot: tightening of hat rules for the Royal Enclosure

In high society throughout the ages guidelines of dress and codes of conduct have always been seen as a way of showing your place and station and modern day England is no exception.

Fascinators have, in the previous few years, pushed the hat aside as the fashionable mode of headwear for special occassions.  Perhaps something popular or fashionable is also deemed commonplace....for the organisors of Royal Ascot have deemed it important enough to press for tighter guidelines on ladies dress for this particular occasion in the Royal Enclosure.

A new dress code states: "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."

Compulsory hat or facinator wearing for all ladies in the Grandstand is also observed.

My favourite pieces at Royal Ascot last year were big colourful: