Royal Ascot 'Look Book' puts individual style and fashion centre stage

From high street chic to emerging designers, this year’s guide puts fashion centre stage moving away from the focus and limitations of individual enclosures.

Stylist, Luke Jefferson Day and Photographer Damian Fox have created a style guide that will allow racegoers to open their minds to their own individual style and away from the barriers that have often inhibited individuals to express themselves.

If you have the budget to max out your credit card, the look book Luxe Edit features soft buttery silk gowns by Roksanda, velvet mirrored suiting by Gucci and matching three-piece tails by Favourbrook.

Opulent embellishment and luxurious fabrics give a nod to the 70’s era and a reimagined approach to designer dressing.

Pre-loved fashion and second-hand fashion has become popular over the last few years as people are moving away from fast fashion and embracing sustainability.

This includes the introduction and growing popularity of rental companies such as By Rotation, Selfridges Rental and HURR.

The pre-loved edit is for the sartorially adventurous who are after unique fashion finds.

If a high street budget is where you are at, it is often a challenge to find that perfect Ascot ready outfit that embraces satirical fashion and still lies within the guidelines of the enclosure dress codes.

However Damien Foxe and his team have found a style that ‘transcends off-the-peg suit buying’ and sparks intrigue. This includes summer linens, mint tailoring and glamourous dresses for all enclosures.

The tagline for the high street edit is to ‘inject a bit of fun and personality’ into your style.

If your style sways towards a vintage element, the creators have created a unique style which includes sleek 1980’s skirt suits, preppy blazers and flamboyant fuchsia silhouettes.

The sleek and surprisingly modern aesthetic for race day styling is inherited from iconic wardrobes of yesteryear.

Daring colour block suits, contemporary soft shades, and traditional fine tailoring, encompasses everything that the Tailoring Edit has to offer, presenting inspiration from Zimmermann, Edward Sexton and RXQUETTE.

Last but not least is the Emerging Designer Edit celebrating looks from up-and-coming designers, both from the UK and further afield.

Designers Richard Quinn, Charles Jeffery LOVERBOY and Ahluwalia, are heralded in the Emerging Designer Edit.  

Felicity Barnard, Commercial Director, Ascot Racecourse, comments: “There are very few events that allow people to embrace dressing for a special occasion on such a global scale and each year Royal Ascot becomes the most followed display of sartorial elegance and individual flair – a true celebration of style that is woven into the very fabric of Ascot’s DNA.

“This year sees an exciting evolution for what has been known as the Royal Ascot Style Guide for more than a decade.

Luke Jefferson Day, stylist, comments: “This season I wanted to encourage unexpected freedom under the guidance of the enclosure dress codes and inspire racegoers to be a little more unconventional and inventive in the way they dress up, and how they source their looks.

“We’ve championed innovative British designers, whilst also showcasing international brands from further afield. I want to excite people to think outside of the box – whether that be shopping resourcefully on the high street or by being more eco-conscious through hiring a look or finding a rare vintage gem.”