Deciding what to wear to the races is no easy task. There are dress codes to take into account, depending on which racecourse and enclosure you're visiting, and then there's the extra component of adding a hat or fascinator into the mix.
Whether you're heading to the Grand National or Royal Ascot, you want to look your very best, and the good news is there's so much choice on the high street this season. From elegant monochrome dresses to polka dot jumpsuits, my best advice is to start with the main part of your outfit first and build everything out from there.
In 2026, the dress codes are noticeably more relaxed than in previous years; however, there are still rules in place, meaning the earlier you start to look for your outfit, the better. For example, for Royal Ascot, dresses and tops must have straps of at least one inch, so before you shop, you'll want to be armed with information on what you can and can't wear in different enclosures. If you're shopping for a new outfit, remember that raceday outfits are often interchangeable with the best wedding guest dresses. And don't forget to have fun!
What to wear to the races
When planning what to wear to the races, a good starting point is to check the dress code for your specific event.
In practical terms, the Royal Enclosure at Ascot is generally considered to have the strictest guidelines. Hemlines are expected to fall to at least just above the knee or longer, while any strappy dress should have a shoulder strap that is a minimum of one inch. A jacket or pashmina may be worn, but the dress or top underneath is still expected to comply with the strap guidance. Trouser suits are allowed, but the jacket and trousers must be made of matching fabric and colour/print. Jumpsuits are also permitted but must fall below the knee (no playsuits). Finally, hats, a huge part of Ascot style, are also required, although a headpiece with a minimum base diameter of at least 10cm would also be permissible.
While dress codes differ between events, a safe bet is to think about your outfit in the same realm as what to wear to a wedding. A pretty midi-length dress, with shoulder coverage and a hat or fascinator, will ensure you tick all the potential requirements.
Best dresses to wear to the races
When it comes to selecting the perfect dress to wear to the races, this is a time to embrace colour and print, polka dots and florals are always winning prints in the summer.
For an elegant and timeless look, fit and flare midi dresses make for an easy and stylish choice, highlighting your middle and skimming over your hips with ease, creating an hourglass silhouette. To avoid any possible dress code infractions, avoid strapless and halter-neck styles.
If you select a printed dress, pick out one or two of the colours from the pattern for your accessories to complement your outfit.
Florals never go out of style, and this cornflower blue number is one of the best midi dresses for the races. It's a timeless print and trending colour that will pair perfectly with spring neutrals, including ecru wedge sandals or a raffia clutch.
My Fair Lady-esque monochrome outfits are always popular at the races, and Phase Eight was the brand that came up again and again when we spoke to women about their outfits at Royal Ascot last year. I predict this dress will be a winner this time.
Polka dots are a huge trending print this year, and this design will ensure you stand out from the crowd for all of the right reasons. You’ll be instantly more cheerful when you put this frock on, and the removable cape is perfectly demure.
Best jumpsuits to wear to the races
If you feel more comfortable in trousers than a dress, then jumpsuits are a stylish and modern middle ground. Like dresses, avoid strapless or spaghetti straps and opt for a design with sleeves or straps wider than one inch. If in doubt, add a jacket in a matching or complementary colour for a modern take on raceday dressing.
woman&home's Fashion Channel Editor Rivkie Baum agrees that jumpsuits are a great alternative:
"The rule allowing jumpsuits in the Royal Enclosure at Ascot came into play in 2017, and was a strong sartorial move. Jumpsuits are universally flattering and, as with dresses, offer easy styling solutions for important occasions. For a super chic look, opt for a fitted bodice and wide-leg trousers in light and pastel hues for a look that is instantly summer-ready. The wide-leg will help to balance fuller busts and flatter a pear-shaped figure".
This has to be one of the most flattering jumpsuits I've seen this season. Between the floaty fabric, wide leg fit and on-trend polka dot print, it's got day at the races written all over it.
ME+EM is amazing for occasionwear, and this pale blue jumpsuit will make your legs look like they go on forever. The square neckline is very sophisticated, too.
This linen all-in-one feels like a very modern take on the Pretty Woman polka dot polo outfit, don't you think? It's a seriously comfortable option for a hot day.
Best jackets & tops to wear to the races
A tailored jacket is an ideal choice for a raceday outfit. The best blazers and boucle tweed jackets are timeless and will complement most outfits. For jackets that can work beyond raceday, opt for neutral shades or earth tones that can become a wardrobe essential and be worn as part of a summer outfit for work or casual occasions at a later date.
Cat Deeley recently wore this green boucle co-ord on This Morning, and we've been thinking about it ever since. The fringed edges are a very chic touch, plus both the top and trousers can be styled separately after your day at the races.
Ideal for adding colour to a pretty midi dress, this cropped jacket adds a tailored finish, highlighting your waist with its high hemline. The blue hue is a subtle choice, and will pick up the colours in so many different floral prints.
The Fold is one of those British clothing brands that always delivers, and this ivory top would look incredibly sophisticated when worn with a pencil skirt or tailored trousers. You can get away with wearing white or ivory to the races in a way that you wouldn't when attending a wedding.
Best hats and fascinators to wear to the races
When it comes to finding the right hat to wear to the races, keep your head held high with a stylish finishing touch to your outfit. While some events may have more relaxed attitudes towards hats and fascinators or not require them at all, other prestigious events, such as Royal Ascot, won’t allow entry without one. If you’re wearing a patterned outfit, try picking out one colour from the print for your headwear. If you're still in need of extra guidance, you can also consult our guide below.
Eliane of Eliane Sarah Millinery talks us through how to select a hat that suits your face shape:
“Not all hats fit all faces. Don’t be put off if the season’s hottest trends or the Princess of Wales' new headpiece style doesn’t suit you. Different designs suit different face shapes. Face shapes fall in a few categories: round, long, square, heart, triangle, oval."
- Round: to slim your face, you need to create length, so look at asymmetrical styles, or a tall hat (with a small brim). Avoid round shapes and large brims or anything that will horizontally go along the forehead, as these will make your face appear rounder.
- Long: if you want to make your face look rounder, then you need to do the opposite to round faces. Opt for a hat with a brim - the larger the better - a low crown is great to cut the length of the face.
- Square: a bit like round, you can add asymmetry to your face or soften the features with curves. Height on the crown will also help lengthen the face. Round fascinator shapes, brims, crowns, and flowers will soften the look.
- Oval: you can try anything. Go for any trend or style you want; all shapes should complement your face shape.
- Heart: similar to oval shapes, you have a great choice. The one thing to consider is slimming the forehead, or just not accentuating the forehead as a feature, so as to avoid a narrow crown on the hat. A medium brim is a great choice. Asymmetrical headpieces and berets are also a great choice.
- Triangle: as with the heart and oval shape, you have endless choices of styles to pick from.
Hobbs has got a great selection of headpieces, and this fascinator gets our vote. The asymmetric shape is classic and it's not too fussy for anyone who feels out of their depth wearing a hat.
Hats can be a bit of an investment, so try to find a neutral style that you could wear with lots of different dresses. If you're a regular racegoer, this one is going to get years of wear.
This year, Edwina Ibbotson has teamed up with River Island for a limited collection. The milliner is a Royal Family favourite, so it's likely to fly off the shelves.
Best shoes to wear to the races
For a day at the races, you’ll likely spend a fair amount of time on your feet, cheering on your filly from the stands, so it’s best to avoid stilettos and shoes with narrow heels, such as kitten heels, particularly as walking on grass can be involved. Instead, opt for comfortable shoe styles, for example, those with block heels, wedges and platforms.
If you do want to wear heels, why not try this clever shoe trick from Zara Tindall, which is a saviour for heels on grass on racedays and beyond.
In terms of style inspiration, look to comfortable wedding guest shoes to guide the level of elegance required.
Ballet flats are completely acceptable at the races, and these designer lookalike shoes are available in lots of different colours to match your outfit.
Wedge espadrilles will easily dress up any raceday outfit and allow you to navigate the grass easily. Duchess Sophie loves Penelope Chilvers, so you can follow in her footsteps.
If you're looking for ways to dress up your raceday look, metallic heels will certainly do the trick. These heels made our list of the most comfortable sandals, as our tester wore them to a wedding and a graduation, and danced the night away in them!
Best bags to wear to the races
When it comes to handbags to wear to the races, it's all about opting for lightweight, smart designs. There is a lot of standing around on the day, so you don't want to be dragging a big tote around.
Opt for smaller bags, such as grab bags or clutch styles that will enhance your outfit instead of overshadowing it. If you're using your accessories to add a pop of colour to your look, coordinate your hat and bag to help tie your outfit together.
Simply need something practical and versatile? Opt for a neutral-hued bag to ensure it doesn't distract from the rest of your ensemble. Remember to only take essentials with you, so that your bag doesn't become cumbersome.
Mini handbags are one of the biggest handbag trends of the season, and this raffia woven bag will pair well with most outfits. Plus, there is just enough room for your essentials.
DeMellier can count Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Meryl Streep and the Princess of Wales as fans, and I think this canvas clutch is just about the most elegant handbag I've ever seen. Simply stunning.
A great styling trick is to match your shoe colour with the tone of your handbag for maximum impact and cohesiveness. This buttermilk shade will complement the spring/summer fashion colour trends 2026 perfectly.
FAQs
What is the dress code for the races?
,Whenever you’re planning what to wear to the races, it’s important to read the dress code rules for each event you attend ahead of time, as they vary from meet to meet and even section to section, depending on what level of entry you have.
For example, the Royal Ascot dress code has stringent outfit guidelines that differ between enclosures, with the Royal Enclosure governed by the strictest style dress code. From the width of the straps of your dress to the circumference of your hat, in order to have a fun and smooth day, you'll want to adhere to the rules. Any style infractions could see you barred from attending. It's important to check the legislation for your particular enclosure, as some areas have far more relaxed guidelines.
Can you wear jeans to the races?
If there’s one item to avoid when it comes to raceday, it’s jeans. Give denim the day off, but if you want to wear trousers, there are plenty of stylish equivalents to your everyday true blue favourites. Why not try an elegant wide-leg trouser teamed with a pretty blouse and matching jacket for a chic look?
What do ladies wear to the horse races?
When planning an outfit, it’s better to err on the side of caution and go for the smart end of your wardrobe rather than casual. To avoid being denied entry, opt for modest dresses or jumpsuit styles with covered shoulders, preferably in a length that falls around or below the knee. For style inspiration, look towards The Princess of Wales' favourite outfit combination of a midi dress and a stylish pair of heels.
Another raceday regular is a headpiece. Many traditional horse race meets still require women to wear a millinery hairpiece or hat. If hats aren’t your favourite look, a chic alternative is an Alice band or subtle disc fascinator that is mounted on a narrow band and sits forward on the head. Just check any circumference size requirements for your particular event
Not sure what will suit you? Eliane has this advice:
“A headpiece should complement and balance the garment you will be wearing and can be as adventurous or as simple as you are comfortable wearing. Obviously, if you want to stand out - the bigger the better.
If you prefer a larger piece or a more traditional shape, the large brim with a low crown is a winner, or a saucer shape with elegant, understated trims looks effortlessly stylish too.”
Most importantly, be comfortable. That applies to your whole outfit, not just your shoes. Nothing ruins a look more than you feeling uncomfortable or needing to adjust it throughout the day, so really consider how long you'll be wearing your raceday ensemble. Treat is an opportunity to go all out and dress up for the occasion, being mindful of any relevant guidelines, so you can have the best time possible.
