UK NEWS

ROYAL ASCTO DECLARES CHAVS AS NON-RUNNERS

Zara Phillips would break the new off-the-shoulder rule

Saturday June 14,2008

By Richard Palmer, Royal Correspondent

ASCOT cracked down on the chavs yesterday in an effort to tighten up dress codes at next week’s Royal meeting.

Mini skirts and other casual attire will be banned from the Royal Enclosure because racing chiefs are worried that the five-day meeting, traditionally a highlight of society’s summer season, has lost its cachet.

A list of dos and don’ts has been sent out with every ticket to the VIP area. Formal clothing must be worn and staff have been told to enforce the code strictly.

The guidance includes a reminder to gentlemen to ensure their flies are always done up. Ladies are advised that they should wear knickers but should ensure they are not on show.

There is also a stern warning about streaky fake tan lines. They are a total fashion faux pas in the Ascot stakes.
Formal attire has always been required for the Royal Enclosure and last year a ban on bare midriffs was introduced.

But traditionalists still felt that there was too much flesh on show, often from women lacking a certain dignity after an excess of champagne.

Ascot spokesman Nick Smith said: “There have been some amendments to the wording of the dress code – it’s more
of a clarification of the old wording than anything. We felt there was a need to spell out what formal day wear means.”

For ladies, the 2008 code says that only formal day dress with a hat or substantial fascinator – a headpiece usually made of feathers, flowers or beads – will be acceptable in the Royal Enclosure.

Off-the-shoulder outfits, halter necks, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch and/or mini skirts are considered unsuitable, while midriffs must be covered and trouser suits have to be full length.

These are rules that will crush many a young lady’s plans. Zara Phillips would clearly not be allowed to repeat the off-the-shoulder number she wore in 2003.

But Mr Smith added: “If a mini skirt is very obviously part of a formal outfit, that could be acceptable.”

Gentlemen must wear either black or grey morning dress, including a waistcoat and a top hat. Cravats might be all right for weddings but only a tie will do for Ascot.