Royal Ascot is known for its amazing fashion, especially its show-stopping hats. But women attending this year's event had hit out at the new "extreme" dress code.
The new rules are so strict some racegoers claimed they found it near impossible to find the perfect outfit.
Royal Ascot attracts world’s fastest horses, with a huge £8.7million prize pot on offer this year, and a host of celebrity and royal guests, with Prince Charles and Camilla among the guests at the opening day on Tuesday.
But 2022 has brought a new dress code which has left many ticket holders seriously confused, with many taking to social media to share their frustrations.
One quipped: “Reading the dress code for Ascot. Women get a four line paragraph of detailed introductions of what to wear and not to.
“Such as hat pieces, length of trousers, types of dresses, regulations on the type of jacket one can wear, etc.
“Men, you must wear a suit, shirt and tie.”
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Another added: “Ascot dress code is too severe! They decree that women must have full-length sleeves… full-length! What is so outrageously sexy as the female fore-arm?
“Will my Jasper Conran cut the mustard, I wonder?”
One woman described finding a nice outfit that fits the dress code as ‘impossible.’
Women in Ascot’s Royal Enclosure are expected to wear a hat with a dress or skirt no higher than knee length.
Top straps must be thicker than one inch, while strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and sheer straps are banned.
Women are not allowed to wear shorts at any point.
Those in the Queen Anne Enclosure must follow similar fashion rules to the royals, but are strictly told they cannot take their hat or fascinator off at any point.
The rules are also enforced by Royal Ascot’s fashion police, who will be on hand to pull up and punish any dress code violations.
Women in the Village Enclosure are expected to dress like those in the more expensive enclosures, but are not made to wear anything on their head.
Ascot says in the cheapest enclosure - the Windsor Enclosure - there is no official dress code but smart daywear is expected.
In comparison, the male dress code can be simplified as a matching suit with a collared shirt and tie…seems simple.
Racegoers have shared their experiences of being called out by the fashion police in previous years.
One revealed: “I actually wore a cream coloured dress to Royal Ascot last year and was stopped by the dress code police.
“And escorted away til I put something over my ‘nude’ dress.
“Was funny arguing then went in anyway.”
The event is having its Ladies Day today (Wednesday) where thousands of women are set to flock to the track in an array of spectacular outfits - we hope they don't get stopped by the fashion police!
