We know decoding formal dress codes is hard enough when you don’t have the weather to contend with - British summers swing between scorching blue-sky days and rainy, cloud-covered ones - which is why working out what to wear to three of Britain’s summer staples - Ascot, Glyndebourne and Henley - is that much harder. 

As Brits, the irony that so many of our summer events take place outdoors doesn’t escape us, the weather might not always be predictable, showers might be expected and sunshine may not be guaranteed, but the task of decoding the dress codes for each event is. Freeing you from double (or even triple) checking the forecast, we’ve done the hard work for you, serving up a tempting array of solutions for each one that won’t require an outfit switch should the weather change.

ASCOT

20th-24th JUNE

To quote Ascot, it’s a place “Like nowhere else” and a permanent fixture in British calendars since it began in 1711. It’s a statement-making display of bright color, bold print, and fashion worth attending the event for alone - when you’re not watching the action on the course, stealing a little style inspiration from the crowd while potentially rubbing shoulders with a royal is entertainment enough.

ROYAL ENCLOSURE + QUEEN ANNE ENCLOSURE

The most formal dress code applies to the Royal and Queen Anne enclosures. Dresses and skirts have to fall below the knee and there are rules as to which fabrics you can and can’t sport. Lace and chiffon are a no, so turn instead to classic fabrics such as silk or satin in bold prints. Choose formal dresses in long-sleeved silhouettes as a failsafe (straps shouldn’t be thinner than two-and-a-half centimetres). Our Rainforest Print Full-Length Dress + Belt answers every aspect of the dress code as does our Linen-Blend Delicate Bloom Print Midi Dress, which celebrates a more pared-back palette and is outlined with scallop trims. A non-negotiable? A hat or headpiece, without one, you won’t be allowed in. 

VILLAGE ENCLOSURE

Adopting a more laid-back aesthetic, the Village Enclosure doesn’t apply strict rules to hem lengths and there is no minimum strap width. Wear tailored suits in a matching color and fabric - our Summer Tux Tapered Pant Suit is the perfect accompaniment. Alternatively, our Spring Garden Fit and Flare Dress + Belt in a bold bespoke print completes a head-to-toe look with a single investment. To really lean into the spirit of Ascot, round off your look with a hat or headpiece. 

WINDSOR ENCLOSURE

Your chance to get a little bit more creative with your sartorial choices. While Ascot’s official stance is that there is no dress code for the Windsor Enclosure, smart daywear is still encouraged and that (almost) all-obligatory hat or headpiece. Suiting in a classic check inflected with bright lilac brings Ascot dressing into the 21st century while our Silk Statement V-Neck Maxi Dress + Belt chooses confident color to make a statement in the crowds. 

GLYNDEBOURNE FESTIVAL 

19 MAY – 27 AUGUST 2023

Because there’s something to be said for how you experience an event based on what you’re wearing, Glyndebourne encourages attendees to wear formal attire or black tie - as its founder, John Christie did when the festival first began to show respect to the performers.

Dresses or jumpsuits, pant suits or skirts, anything goes but it’s a good idea to keep your comfort in mind when a full performance and an evening sitting down lies ahead. It’s also a good idea to bring layers or something you can slip on should it get chillier - the British weather likes to keep us on our toes, after all. Make a statement with a monochrome palette and striking silhouettes; our Monochrome Halterneck Jumpsuit + Belt and Forever Tux Pant Suit are classic-yet-contemporary soloists while embellished flats and heels act as the perfect chorus line to your look. Alternatively, if your tastes lie in the bolder end of the spectrum, slip into our Statement Guipure Lace Jumpsuit in sun yellow.

The festival also provides changing facilities if you’re coming straight from work or don’t want to crinkle your best pieces.

HENLEY

TUESDAY 27 JUNE - SUNDAY 2 JULY

A celebration of a sport born on the river Thames combined with an excuse to get dressed up and enjoy the sunshine makes Henley a roaring success year after year since the event began in 1839. Not all areas have dress codes, but see a day in the Oxfordshire town as an opportunity to don pieces that mark the occasion. 

STEWART'S ENCLOSURE

In the perfect position to view the Finish Line, the Stewart’s Enclosure has the strictest Henley dress code. Dresses and skirts need to be longer than knee length, pant suits are also allowed as are tailored women’s pants and jackets (unlike Ascot, fabrics and prints don’t need to match so you’re allowed a little more creative freedom in your choices). Our Spring Garden Print Maxi Dress and Smart Maxi Shirt Dress are both accompanied by a belt to create more styling options, either drawing in your waist or decorating the neckline. Feel free to leave hats at home, but it is customary for them to be worn.

REGATTA ENCLOSURE

Positioned right beside the race course and with a more relaxed atmosphere, the Regatta Enclosure doesn’t have an official stance on what you choose to wear but apply a smart-casual dress code to your sartorial choices to ensure you’re neither over nor underdressed. Slip into a dress with a shorter hemline like our Bluebell Print Short Swing Dress or don mix-and-match separates such as our Mini Bouclé Short and Mini Bouclé Cardigan Blazer. Alternatively, pay homage to a seafaring print by wearing our Breton Shift Dress styled solo or layered over a shirt.