Ascot Takes Some Sexy Out Of Horse Racing
Ladies and gentlemen, if you please.
Fearful of slipping standards, officials at Royal Ascot, whose five-day horse racing carnival began this week, have told patrons to dress in a more elegant fashion.
Women wearing skimpy dresses, strapless tops and short skirts will be barred from the Royal Enclosure at the upmarket Ascot racing carnival this year under the new "specific requirements" of the dress code.
Organizers helpfully included a leaflet when sending out tickets and also have a photo guide on the Web site featuring ticks and crosses to denote approved clothing.
"There seems to be a growing lack of understanding about what morning dress means, particularly with respect to women," Ascot's head of public relations, Nick Smith, told London's Evening Standard in Friday editions. "Our dress code has not fundamentally changed, but this year, we felt there was a need to spell it out and tighten up the specific requirements."
Photos: Royal Ascot Elegance
The Royal Enclosure is the most exclusive section at Ascot - traditionally visited by Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip during their visits to the carnival.
"Her Majesty's representative wishes to point out that only formal day dress with a hat or substantial fascinator will be acceptable," Ascot said on its Web site Friday.
"Off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch (2.5 centimeters) and / or mini skirts are considered unsuitable. Midriffs must be covered and trouser suits must be full length and of matching material and color."
"The fine line had been broken," one suitably-dressed woman at the races told CBS News correspondent Sheila MacVicar. "We know there's a certain thing about Ascot, there's a certain element of fun dressing, but it went too far the other way," she said.
But some enterprising attendants have found ways around the new rules. MacVicar spoke to one woman who had altered her dress into a convertible - easily brought down to the knees to gain entry, and then hiked up to a more revealing level to gain onlookers.
The new regulations don't sit well with the editor of British society magazine Tatler, either.
"It's fabulous snobbery," Geordie Grieg told MacVicar. "I mean, what could be better than to lay down what people can wear and make those who don't adhere to the rules be told that they're not good enough. What brilliant mockery."
Men need to wear either black or gray morning dress, including a waistcoat and a top hat which must be worn at all times while in the Royal Enclosure.
Overseas visitors may wear the formal national dress of their country or formal military uniforms.
"Those not complying with the dress code will be asked to leave the Royal Enclosure and will be relieved of their Royal enclosure badge," Ascot said.