Ascot says sorry for fashion faux pas

Ascot racecourse offered a full refund to its premier enclosure customers and also apologized for its “lack of judgment” after sticking orange labels on visitors who had not adhered to a new dress code. 

Organizers, fighting back at criticism that dress standards had slipped, had issued guidelines defining what attire was acceptable at the home of Royal Ascot, one of Britain’s premier social occasions in June. 

Visitors wearing clothing that did not make the grade, such as men without a jacket and tie, were not denied entry to the premier enclosure for Saturday’s meeting but were given a small sticker highlighting their misdemeanor. 

“It is clear that we let down many of our premier enclosure customers yesterday with a well intentioned but misguided policy,” Ascot chief executive Charles Barnett said in a statement. 

Earlier this week, it was announced that women will have to wear hats, rather than fascinators, in the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot, one of the highlights of the English summer social season.

For race days outside the royal meeting, the new course dress code states: “In Premier Admission, gentlemen should wear a jacket and tie, smart trousers or smart jeans, no trainers.

“There will be an announcement on the day allowing jackets to be removed, should the weather be hot.
“Ladies should dress for a smart occasion; hats are encouraged but not compulsory.”