Time to re-think the Ascot outfit! Preparing for the annual soirée at Ascot I see that 'one' is not to wear a halter neck dress ... I spent hours in Hobbs trying dresses on and spent a weeks groceries money on the final choice. I can wear a short jacket over the top whilst in the enclosure and that I can live with but the fashion police at Ascot have really taken the biscuit with the other requests ...
Ladies must wear knickers! Well at least that is what I thought that it said and then realised it was no knickers are to be on show. I have never, not once, in all the years that I have been going to Ascot considered not wearing knickers. Why then now that I am told not to (or thought that was what I had read) does it occur to me that going commando might be quite liberating?
The covert rebel in me is wondering how they will know, will there be someone at the admissions specifically checking?
Apparently the intention is to bring society back to Ascot so; high heels and hats are to be worn, skirts no shorter than 2ins about the knee (flashback to Whiteacre Boarding School for Girls where Polly Parsons, the headmistress, would send us back to the dormitory to change if our skirt dared to rise two fingers above the knee), no bare midriffs, straps of dresses are to be at least one inch thick, no gum or mobile phones .
The Daily Mail reports;
Organisers of the summer's most fashionable race meeting don't want it turning into Royal Chavscot.
So, after witnessing one too many sartorial disasters in the past, they've taken matter into their own hands this year - and issued a guide to dress and etiquette for those attending.
The new Royal Ascot code warns ladies against the perils of fake tans, flashy jewellery, faulty footwear - and, most importantly, points out the hazards of lacking in the lingerie department.
On this point, it doesn't mince words, saying bluntly: 'Knickers: A definite yes - but not on show, please, ladies!'
While it may seem rather obvious to suggest the wearing of undergarments for such a prestigious event - the Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family attend each day - the organisers privately admit that nowadays they can take nothing for granted.
Indeed, recent meetings have prompted a litany of complaints about the state of dress and drunken behaviour of some racegoers.
It could have been worst I suppose and maybe the request to dress and behave appropriately will bring common decency back to Ascot ... wish me luck on Wednesday.
Photo: Daily Mail
I was at Whiteacre school in the 1970s. Still When were you there?
Posted by: Rose Pearse | October 22, 2009 at 09:21 PM
Hello Rose, I was at Whiteacre up to 1974.
Posted by: Jacqueline Rogers | October 22, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Ah, before my time. I was there from 1977-1980
Posted by: Rose Pearse | October 24, 2009 at 02:06 AM