Hats at the 2008 Royal Ascot

View the New York Times' slide show of hats at the 2008 Royal Ascot.

The Royal Ascot meeting is undoubtedly one of the racing and social highlights of the British summer. Queen Anne founded Ascot Races in 1711 and members of the royal family still lead the procession from Windsor Castle to Ascot each day.

Over the years, Ascot has become synonymous with fashion. The first recorded reference to Ladies Day, a day the focus switches from racing to fashion, was in 1823. Hats, in particular, take on a whole new importance during the meeting. All styles, colors, and designs are on show at Royal Ascot as women and designers, such as Louis Mariette, try to make their own individual mark during the meeting.

According to the Royal Ascot dress code, "hats or a substantial fascinator must be worn in the Royal Enclosure" but even those who are not in the Royal Enclosure take an opportunity to wear a hat. Although this year, the dress code was "clarified" and ladies are required to dress in a manner appropriate to a formal occasion as to avoid faux pas like these.

From the Times Online:

Nick Smith, a Royal Ascot spokesman, insisted this wasn't an indication that the event was failing to move with the times: "We have got to be very careful with fashion. Ascot has always been a fashion event and we want it to stay that way. However, we want the fashions to be appropriate to a formal occasion, not evening wear. It's a question of toeing the line."

Sources:
Ascot Racecourse
"A fashion revolution sweeps Royal Ascot." Telegraph, 20 June 2008
"Cracking the sartorial whip at Royal Ascot." Telegraph, 18 June 2008
"Slip into something more conservative." Times Online, 01 January 2008
"Top hats and high heels still reign supreme on Ladies Day." CNN, 20 June 2008
"Royal Ascot." The New York Times, 20 June 2008