How to master Ascot dressing for under £250

Telegraph

16 hours ago

Royal Ascot is one of the most glamorous fixtures in the British social calendar, where guests don their finest frocks and hats for the occasion. But dressing the part can be expensive. A friend recently confided that they felt 'like an extra in a movie' at Ascot. While the royal attendees and A-listers arrive in custom-made and designer looks, it's easy to feel like you're watching from the sidelines. But as Royal Ascot's creative director Daniel Fletcher puts it, 'Think about Ascot as if it were a red-carpet awards ceremony – it's an opportunity to channel main character energy and walk the red carpet.'
As a regular on this circuit, I can tell you that you don't need a designer outfit to feel like the main character. Dressing for Ascot doesn't need to be intimidating or expensive. With a little planning, you can feel confident and elegant without overspending.
And with all the money you've saved? There's room in the budget for an extra glass of champagne or two. And who knows, with the right look, someone else might be buying!
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My look
The right foundations
Hats
Jewellery
Shoes and bags
My Look for Ascot
With a budget of £250, I was looking for something classic, flattering, and easy to wear that wouldn't crease after a train journey or lunch. I began with an embroidered cotton shirt dress from Zara. I paired it with a black veiled hat – rented from Cotswold Hat Club – a textured raffia bag from JD Williams, and classic leather heels from Stradivarius to tie the look together. I kept it simple with faux pearl earrings from Orelia.
Total: £242.98
Start with the right foundations
I've attended Royal Ascot for several years – with a few wardrobe mishaps along the way. I wanted to put my experiences to good use and find stylish solutions that work for real budgets.
Start with the dress or trouser suit and build from there. On a budget, fabric is key. The wrong material can cheapen the look or wilt by midday. 'Avoid fabrics that wrinkle easily like linen,' advises ITV fashion presenter and columnist Joanne Hegarty. 'Instead choose light, breathable fabrics like a silk mix, lace, chiffon or high-quality cotton for comfort. Opt for pieces that look polished like tailoring and dresses with elegant details.'
Light tones like ivory, powder blue or soft yellow feel fresh in the sun, while dark colours can look heavy. A three-quarter or long sleeve adds polish and warmth. If your outfit is sleeveless, add a tonal jacket for an extra layer. Or, as stylist Alice Hare suggests, 'Long opera-style gloves have an elevating effect. The key to making the look less magician, more chic is to choose a sheer pair – Dents' are only £22.' For added dimension try a waist-defining belt or a scarf. 'I'm loving silk scarves at the moment – worn as a belt or a thick, choker-style necklace,' says Hare. 'River Island has elevated a simple suit with a fuchsia silk scarf around the waist.'
Rental platforms like Hurr, Loan The Look and By Rotation are a great way to get a high-end outfit on a budget, and all three have Royal Ascot edits.
'Each year we see a notable increase in rentals leading up to Royal Ascot,' says Eshita Kabra-Davies, founder of clothing-rental company By Rotation. 'People love to go all out with their looks while being more conscious of their purchases.' I love the print Vampire's Wife dress on By Rotation for £25/day, flattering and far below the retail price.
Top off your look with a head-turning hat
Hats are a key ingredient of a Royal Ascot look, but can blow the budget. Rentals like By Rotation, Cotswold Hat Club and Lizzie's Hats offer designer styles for less. As the daughter of a racehorse trainer and wife of champion jockey Richard Hughes, there's nothing that founder Lizzie Hughes doesn't know about race day dressing: 'Pull a colour from your dress or echo the shape in the hat's structure to make the whole look feel bespoke,' she says.
Always tuck the elastic under your hair – leaving it visible can cheapen your look. If you prefer to buy, John Lewis, Hobbs and Phase Eight offer some great options.
Add polish with carefully chosen jewellery
When it comes to jewellery, small touches go far. Faux pearls or drop earrings work well.
Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt, founder of Bijoux De Mimi advises: 'Think about layering – a delicate necklace stack or a curated ear full of dainty huggies and cuffs adds personality without going overboard. Definitely consider pops of colour to compliment your outfit.'
Choose shoes and bag that blend style with practicality
As for shoes, block or wedge heels won't sink into the grass and closed toes look more polished. If you prefer stilettos don't forget to pack your heel stoppers, buy them for £3.99 from Clean Heels.
Comfort is critical – and Lisa Illis, head of womenswear design at Marks & Spencer says heels don't have to be high. 'Lower heels and kitten heels feel modern and relevant and don't compromise on style or comfort. Ballet flats in fresh materials like snake, animal print and luxe satin feel elevated and contemporary. When it comes to the colour palette, neutrals and subtle metallics are versatile.'
Choose a chic yet practical bag such as a structured clutch or small top-handle, Katie Loxton and Accessorize have a good selection. Either choose a bag similar in colour to your hat or shoes, otherwise a contrasting colour or texture will add dimension.