🏇 Royal Ascot Fashion Q&A with Ella McNeill 🎤

Royal Ascot Fashion Q&A with Ella McNeill

With Royal Ascot just around the corner, OLBG Racing has partnered with fashion expert Ella McNeill to offer racegoers practical advice on how to look stylish and feel comfortable all day at one of the most fashionable events in the British social calendar.

Whether it's your first time at the track or you're a seasoned attendee, Ella shares insights on dressing for unpredictable weather, choosing statement headwear, and experimenting with bold colour palettes. She also champions fashion rental as a savvy way to wear designer looks without breaking the bank.

This year’s key trends? Polka dots and periwinkle blue are set to dominate the style stakes.

Q: How should you dress for different weather conditions at the Royal Ascot?

It’s always tricky with the weather. I know all the ladies and gentlemen spend months planning their outfits. Then suddenly, the week before, the forecast changes!

My advice? Stick with your outfit. At Ascot, there are loads of incredible indoor areas. If it’s absolutely tipping it down, you can still enjoy yourself. There are plenty of indoor bars, and you can watch the races from the grandstand, which is covered.

Pack an umbrella in the car, just in case, and maybe rethink your footwear. For example, if you planned to wear open-toe shoes, maybe swap them for a closed-toe option so your feet don’t get soaked. But honestly, don’t stress or scramble for a last-minute outfit. Stick with what you planned and take an umbrella!

Q: What’s the best way to experiment with different colour palettes while staying Ascot-appropriate?

Ascot is one of the last big horse racing events that still has a strict dress code, but it’s also the perfect place to go bright and bold. There really aren’t many occasions left where you can dress to the nines—hat, dress, tailoring—the full look.

If you're a little shy with colour, start with a neutral base like a beige or ivory dress. Then, bring in pops of colour through your accessories. For example, an ivory suit paired with a bright pink or green hat can look amazing. Then match your bag or shoes to your hat.

Basically, if you’re nervous about bright clothing, keep your outfit muted and play with colourful accessories. But honestly? Ascot is the time to bring the colour, it’s five days where boldness is celebrated.

Q: What are your top tips for styling headwear?

Headpieces are a must in the Royal, Queen Anne, and Windsor Enclosures, and each has its own rules. In the Royal Enclosure, your headpiece has to have a base of at least four inches; no tiny fascinators are allowed.

In the Village and Windsor Enclosures, and I believe the Queen Anne too, you can go a bit smaller if big hats aren’t your thing. But honestly? I say go big or go home. Royal Ascot is one of the few events where you can really embrace millinery, so make the most of it!

Style-wise, if you’re wearing a boater, always tilt it to the right or left—never wear it flat across your head. And for hats that sit low on your forehead, make sure there’s a two-finger gap between the hat and your eyebrows. It should never cover your brows completely.

Don’t worry—everyone else will be in a hat too, so you won't feel out of place. If you’re self-conscious, go for a smaller piece that sits to the side or a boater. I personally love a big brim and a statement moment!

Q: How can you build a stylish outfit that’s also comfortable enough to wear all day?

It’s always that toss-up, isn’t it: style vs comfort. Ideally, you want both—because it’s a long day at Ascot.

Comfort really starts with shoes. Never wear something that’s already pinching after 30 minutes. I find pointed-toe shoes are usually more comfortable than strappy ones, especially when it’s hot and your feet swell.

Slingbacks are great—they let your feet breathe. A block heel is another fab option—so much easier to walk in than stilettos.

As for the outfit itself, I’d avoid anything too tight. You’re sitting, walking, standing—something floaty or less structured is always more forgiving.

Q: If someone’s attending Royal Ascot for the first time, what would you recommend they wear?

Definitely lean into the dress code—it depends on which enclosure you’re in. In the Windsor Enclosure, hats aren’t mandatory but are encouraged. And honestly, no matter where you're attending, I think everyone should wear a hat—even just a headband-style piece if you're in Windsor.

In the Royal and Queen Anne Enclosures, hats must have that four-inch base. A headband won’t cut it, so make sure yours has a proper structure.

If it’s your first time, my top tip is to choose something from your wardrobe that you’ve worn before and feel great in. That way, you know it fits and you're comfortable in it. Then have fun with the accessories! But definitely double-check the dress code based on your enclosure, that’s essential.

Q: What would you strongly advise people not to wear to the Royal Ascot?

In the main enclosures, you can’t wear anything too short. For Royal and Queen Anne, your outfit needs to be just above or below the knee. Midi dresses are super on-trend right now and they fit the bill perfectly. Embrace the longer length, it’s elegant and different from your usual styles.

Also, spaghetti straps are a no-go in the Royal and Queen Anne Enclosures. Straps need to be at least an inch wide, so anything off-the-shoulder or super strappy won’t be allowed.

I’d also steer away from all-black outfits. Royal Ascot is about colour and celebration; it’s the perfect excuse to wear something fun and vibrant. Monochrome (black and white) can work, but I wouldn’t go for head-to-toe in black.

Avoid anything sheer or midriff-baring, too. This isn’t the place for cut-outs or miniskirts; it’s about demure elegance.

Q: What makes the Royal Ascot such a standout fashion moment compared to other major UK events like Wimbledon or Glastonbury?

Honestly, it’s the dress code. There just aren’t many events left where you have to dress up and hats are a huge part of it. That’s what makes it so unique and fun.

I think it's so amazing that everyone's got a hat on because it's not often these days that you get to go to events like Wimbledon where people are wearing hats. So I think embracing that and going all out with your millinery is what makes Royal Ascot stand out from other events.

Q: Have any royal family members become true style icons at Ascot over the years?

Oh, definitely. The first person who comes to mind is the late Queen. Her fashion was iconic. People literally used to bet on what colour she’d wear each day, it was that much of a moment.

She had a very specific look and I think she pulled it off so well. She was always so elegant, but also fun; she’s the perfect epitome of someone playing around with colour because the Queen would always be in a bright, bold colour. I think that's something that we should all lean into and take inspiration from her.

Even in her 90s, she was at Royal Ascot wearing reds, pinks, blues, greens and yellows and embracing colour, and I think that's something that we should all take inspiration from.

In terms of the younger generations coming through, Katherine, the Princess of Wales, is just the epitome of elegance and sophistication, and she always nails it with her outfits. I’m really looking forward to seeing what she’s wearing this year.

She really plays on that sophisticated and timeless look. So many outfits of hers over the years have stood out, but I think she also takes a lot of inspiration from Princess Diana. So if you look back at pictures of Princess Diana and what she wore, Katherine often pays homage to her in her looks.

You can't go wrong if you take inspiration from the Princess of Wales, that's for sure!

Q: Which trends are defining Royal Ascot fashion this year?

Every year brings new trends to the forefront, but this year, it’s all about monochrome and polka dots. We’ve already seen these styles popping up at various racecourses in the lead-up to Royal Ascot, and I think they're going to dominate.

And it doesn’t have to be classic black and white—remember when the Princess of Wales wore that brown and cream polka dot Alessandra Rich dress a few years ago? That was four or five years ago now, and it just proves how trends can come back around.

So polka dots would be my bet for the biggest trend this year. But also, I recently attended a styling event at Bicester Village with Daniel Fletcher, Royal Ascot’s creative director, and he mentioned that blue and periwinkle blue have been huge on the runways. So I think we’ll be seeing a lot of that too.

Q: Which designers are making the biggest impact at Ascot this season? Any standout names to watch?

I mean, in terms of biggest impact, you always have brands like Suzanna London, Beulah and Holland and Cooper as well, all fantastic British brands that are really upping their summer fashion, you often see them at the race course and they really stand out.

In terms of up-and-coming brands, Banshee of Savile Row is a beautiful British tailoring house specifically for women. If dresses aren’t your thing, and you’re leaning toward suiting, this brand is a dream.

Clements and Church is another tailoring brand that’s perfect for the Royal Ascot, sophisticated and sharp.

Then there’s Destree, which gained buzz after Sofia Richie wore a full magenta look from them to the King's coronation, where her dad, Lionel Richie, was performing, and that outfit really put the brand on the map.

So if you’re looking for something a little more fashion-forward or edgy, Destree is definitely worth checking out.

Q: Are headpieces still a must, or are we seeing more creative takes on the traditional hat or fascinator?

Nowadays, you see, you've got your typical traditional style of hats and then you've got people having a bit more fun with it. Sure, you've got your classic, elegant pieces, but these days people are having real fun with it.

I mean, last year I saw someone wearing an entire owl made out of feathers on her head. Another guest had a massive old-fashioned telephone as a hat. Two girls even had matching disco balls.

Hats are definitely still having a moment and as long as your headwear meets the enclosure requirements, whether you're going for a timeless, elegant piece or something a bit more creative, anything goes.

Q: Do you think rental fashion is a passing trend at Ascot, or is it here to stay?

Rental fashion is here to stay. I’ve been on the rental hype for four or five years now, and I’m obsessed.

I go racing a lot, and pretty much every outfit I wear is rented. For this year’s Ascot, I’m renting an amazing Alessandra Rich dress from Hurr, and I also use By Rotation regularly - two great platforms I’d recommend.

The Alessandra Rich dress I’m wearing is worth £2,000, but I get to rent it for a fraction of that. And honestly? I’ve never had a bad experience. Everything arrives clean, in top condition, and it lets me wear designer pieces I’d probably never buy outright.

It’s also just more exciting than rifling through your same-old wardrobe. And it's not just dresses, you can rent millinery too. Try: The Cotswold Hat Club, Lizzie’s Hats or Alice Brooke Bespoke. They all offer beautiful rental pieces. So don't just think of renting your outfits; you can also rent your hats.

Q: What’s your go-to advice for someone putting together a last-minute Royal Ascot outfit?

If you’re in a last-minute panic, start with something already in your wardrobe — ideally something that meets the enclosure requirements. Then build your outfit around that.

Rental is also a lifesaver for last-minute plans. If the item is available, you can often get it delivered the next day. It saves you from buying something new at the last second and potentially spending loads.

Also, don’t underestimate your local charity shops or vintage stores. They can be goldmines, especially for hats, I've found some absolute gems in there.

So yeah, if time is tight:

• Shop your own wardrobe first.
• Check rental platforms for quick delivery.
• Check your local secondhand stores for accessories.

If you really haven't got much time, go with something that you already have in your wardrobe and build your accessories around that!