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At Royal Ascot Ladies Day
Behind the Scenes at Royal Ascot Ladies Day
As a British occasionwear brand devoted to creating timeless pieces for life’s most special moments, attending Royal Ascot 2025 felt like a natural extension of who we are. With its rich heritage, historic dress code, and endlessly elegant atmosphere, the magic of Ascot lies at the very heart of what we aim to capture in every Hope & Ivy collection - the belief that fashion should be celebrated as an experience.
A highlight of the annual summer calendar and a true showcase of craftsmanship, creativity, and individuality, Royal Ascot is far more than a sporting event. It’s a premiere of pageantry and personal expression, and an iconic occasion we couldn’t wait to become a part of.
Our Best-Dressed List Outfit Choices
When it came to choosing our outfits, we were spoiled for choice as we delved through the many treasures in our SS25 collection. From floral-printed wrap dresses to racecourse-ready peplum midi styles, our latest sartorial offering was thoughtfully designed with the Royal Ascot enclosure dress codes in mind. With tickets secured for the Queen Anne Enclosure on Ladies Day, we knew each look had to align with the formal guidelines, meaning it was time to say farewell to strapless and Bardot styles and embrace silhouettes that were particularly polished and poised.
So, let’s here from the team about what they chose and why they love their Royal Ascot outfit...
Sophie
When I first heard we’d be attending Ascot this year, I knew immediately that I wanted a classic, timeless outfit that I could look back on and admire in years to come. For me, this meant choosing The Erica, our 100% cotton, mirror print day dress. I love her feminine puff sleeves and the glamour of her full midi skirt, plus she’s got pockets – a dream come true for a Content Manager capturing behind the scenes footage all day long!
Millie
At heart, I’m a navy blue lover, but for Ascot, I wanted to push myself with an added pop of colour and fun, making The Marlene an ideal choice – after all, it’s not every day that you get to attend such a special event! I love the extra sparkle each lurex polka dot adds to this classic design, and the hand-painted flower print is such a perfect representation of what makes Hope & Ivy so special.
Laura
As a print designer, wearing my own hand-painted design to Ascot is a dream come true. I chose The Nadia, a favourite and true showstopper from our spring collection, The Gardens of Giverny. Not only is the dress one of our best-selling wrap silhouettes, but the Monet-inspired scenic print that decorates the lower half of the skirt is complemented by a soft, cornflower blue shade that’s perfect for outdoor occasions such as Royal Ascot.
Amy
I knew I wanted an outfit for Ladies Day that felt fresh and unconventional. That’s why I opted for The Rebecca, with its oversized bow, thigh split, and chic, figure-skimming silhouette. She’s the perfect blend of timeless sophistication and contemporary flair, adhering to the Royal Ascot dress code with her classic, refined shoulder straps, while still embodying a playful and modern spirit.
Designing Our Bespoke Hats with V V Rouleaux
While we naturally have a soft spot for occasion wear dresses, the true showstopper at Royal Ascot is undoubtedly the millinery. Each of the four enclosures either requires or strongly encourages that ladies wear a hat or headpiece, and once our tickets were secured, we knew exactly where to go for the perfect headwear.
Tucked away in Marylebone, V V Rouleaux is a hidden treasure trove of a haberdashery, brimming with ribbons, trims, and feathers, just moments from the hustle and bustle of Bond Street. Founded by the talented Annabel Lewis, this one-of-a-kind shop is not only celebrated for its exquisite textiles but also houses a bespoke hat-making Atelier, V V Chapeaux. Led by Annabel, the skilled team create custom hats for the most elegant of occasions and construct the most incredible bespoke designs based on your chosen outfit.
After discussing the dresses we’d be wearing for Ladies Day, the team headed over to V V Rouleaux to meet with Annabel and try on a variety of fascinators and hat bases that had been carefully curated to complement each ensemble. Thanks to Annabel’s guidance, soon, the most beautiful, bespoke designs took shape, and within just a few days, we were able to pick up our custom creations and truly begin the countdown to our much-anticipated outing at the racecourse.
Behind the Scenes at Royal Ascot Ladies Day
With alarms set bright and early, and an expected weather forecast of 30 degrees, Ladies Day began with a flurry of excitement.
Hair was pinned, hats were donned, and our Hope & Ivy dresses were ready to shine in the spotlight. After arriving at the iconic Ascot Racecourse, we took a moment to admire the Parade Ring, before heading over to the stands to soak up the vibrant atmosphere. The energy was electric, with colour, style, and spectacular hats everywhere we looked.
One of the most memorable highlights of the day was seeing Their Majesties the King and Queen, alongside members of the royal family including Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, and Zara Phillips as the Royal Procession took place ahead of the official start to the races. We were also thrilled to spot so many of our beautiful customers looking stunning in pieces from our latest Hope & Ivy collection - it was such a joy to see our designs come to life in the crowd.
As the afternoon wore on, we enjoyed a refreshing jug of Pimm’s beside the bandstand, perfectly positioned to enjoy the music and take in the sights. Excitement bubbled over when Princess Anne passed by, just steps away, adding another pinch-me moment to an already unforgettable day. Despite the sweltering heat, spirits remained high, and we ended the day gathered around the bandstand, singing along as the military band played the final tunes of the evening, before heading back to catch the (air-conditioned, thank goodness) train to London.
All in all, attending Royal Ascot was an exceptionally special experience, and we're already counting down to next year and imagining our race day outfits!
If you wore one of our designs at the races this year, make sure to tag us in your photos at @hopeivylondon