History and Tradition of Stylish Straw Ascot Hats for the Royal Races

The History and Tradition of Straw Ascot Hats

The Royal Ascot horse race is one of the most iconic events in England. Ladies put on their finest dresses and most extravagant hats to attend the races and cheer on their favorite horses and jockeys. An essential accessory for Royal Ascot is the Ascot hat, particularly ones made from lightweight and breathable straw to stay cool in the June heat.

Origins of the Ascot Racing Event

Royal Ascot dates back over 300 years to 1711, when Queen Anne founded Ascot Racecourse. The royal family and high society elite would gather at the races, turning it into a see-and-be-seen event. Women would wear lavish dresses and hats both as a status symbol, as well as to stand out in the paparazzi photographs published the next day.

Straw hats became popular among female race attendees during the 19th century. The lightweight material helped keep them cool yet still allowed them to show off intricate decorative details. Straw Ascot hats grew in popularity through the 1900s as both a statement piece and a way to reflect the summer season.

Why Wear Straw Hats to Ascot?

Straw is an ideal material for Ascot race hats for several reasons:

• Straw is ultra lightweight, ensuring comfort on hot June days at the races. Heavy fabrics can easily lead to overheating in the sun.
• It's highly breathable due to natural airflow through the woven material.
• Straw hats allow the wearer to incorporate intricate details like ribbons, bows, flowers and more without adding a lot of weight.
• The neutral tan color acts as a blank canvas for creative embellishments in any color scheme.

While Ascot has a strict dress code, there are no constraints around creativity or whimsy when it comes to hats. Straw lends itself beautifully to expressing the wearer's personal style.

Popular Styles of Ladies' Straw Ascot Hats

There are several common straw hat shapes and silhouettes typically seen at the Royal Ascot races. Popular styles include:

Wide Brim Hats

A wide brim straw hat helps make a bold visual statement while also providing ample protection from the summer sunshine. The width of the brim lends itself to lavish decoration opportunities, from large floral or feather embellishments to wide ribbons in contrasting colors circling the crown.

Structured Dome Hats

Ascot dome hats offer a covered, ornamental look reminiscent of the Edwardian era. Straw maintains the shape nicely while allowing decorative 3D elements like flowers, bows, tulle and more. Structured dome silhouettes pair nicely with high neck, long sleeve dresses inspired by the early 1900s.

Cartwheel Hats

Cartwheel Ascot hats boast an extra wide brim spanning over a foot in diameter. These tend to be the most eye-catching shape, making them a popular choice for standing out to the media at the racecourse. They may feature vibrant colors on both the straw base and decor embellishments.

Hat Trends Spotted at Ascot

While tradition runs deep at Royal Ascot, new hat trends emerge each year as younger generations put a modern twist on their race day outfits. Recently popular examples include:

Oversized Blooms

Giant flowers like hydrangeas, peonies or roses adorn many Ascot hats. Sheer tulle netting may hold the floral elements in place. These looks provide height while maintaining visibility thanks to the light, airy straw brims.

Fascinators

For a minimalist take, some women opt for wispy feather or lace fascinators clipped into the hair instead of full hats. These allow dresses with intricate beadwork or lace fabric to shine as the focal point rather than the hat.

Tropical Prints

Vibrant tropical printed straw makes a fun, festive statement. Botanical motifs, palm leaves or zebra striped straw brim the traditional shades of tan. Paired with pom poms, feathers or leaves, they emit a resort wear vibe.

How to Style Straw Ascot Hats

When it comes to Royal Ascot style, it's important to have harmony between your hat, dress and accessories. Here are tips for pulling the full look together:

Pick Neutral Shades

For a timeless, elegant vibe similar to Kate Middleton or the Queen herself, stick to neutral toned straw hats paired with pastel dresses in dusty pink, lilac, mint or peach shades.

Play with Patterns

Alternatively, don't be afraid to have some fun by mixing and matching patterns. Dotted, gingham or floral print dresses can beautifully coordinate with striped or leafy printed straw brims.

Incorporate Bird Cage Veils

For mysterious old Hollywood allure, bird cage or butterly shaped veils obscure part of the face while still allowing visibility. Often dotted with mini floral elements or feathers, they elegantly trail down the shoulders.

The style opportunities with ladies' straw Ascot hats are endless. Race attendees take the chance to fully embrace their personal fashion aesthetics through creative and unique hat designs paired with elegant summer dresses and fascinators.

FAQs

Why are straw hats popular to wear to Royal Ascot?

Straw hats are lightweight and breathable, making them ideal for staying cool and comfortable in the June heat at Ascot. The neutral tan shade also makes a perfect canvas for creative embellishments. Ladies can express themselves through colorful flowers, ribbons, and other decorative details on their Ascot hats.

What style Ascot hats are trending right now?

Some current trends include oversized floral decorations, wispy fascinators worn in the hair instead of hats, and printed straw with tropical botanical or animal prints. These modern takes add youthful, festive vibes to the classic Ascot look.

Should my Ascot outfit accessories match my hat?

It's generally best to have cohesion between your hat, dress, shoes, and other accessory colors. However, don't be afraid to shake things up with mixed prints and patterns for an eclectic style.

Are there any Ascot hat style faux pas?

Royal Ascot does enforce a formal dress code. Casual elements like jeans, shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops are prohibited. Focus on a smart, polished, dressy look when planning your race day outfit and Ascot hat.