I usually wrap up each day of the races by inviting readers to share the non-royal hats that stood out to you. This year, however, having attended the races, I thought I’d share some reflections and yes, my hats!
The motto of Royal Ascot is “Like Nowhere Else” and it’s an accurate one. My first impression was how unique it is- the impressive facility, the atmosphere, the pace of the day, the impeccable service, the crowd. It’s simply a world-class experience. I found myself a bit overwhelmed by it all the first day and realized it was because I’m used to being the only person at a wedding or Easter Sunday service wearing a hat. I’ve simply never attended an event where everyone was in one AND admiring those worn by everyone else!. There’s something indescribably special about being one of several thousand people dressed up for the day, the look topped by a lovely hat.
On a slight downside, I was struck by how the hats we see covered by the media are an extremely tiny representation of the hats at the event. Watching the press pool (they congregate around one corner of the Parade Ring), it was clear that PR influence was strongly impacting which hats were photographed. The hats that stood out to me most, both in terms of design and quality, were worn by racegoers who were never captured by the press. It made me wary of Ascot press coverage but also very mindful of how special it is to attend Royal Ascot in person.
Now for my hat…. the logistics of travel put some difficult restrictions on my hat choices. I look best in wide brimmed designs and while I considered hiring hats, it was important to me, as a professional flower maker, to wear hats trimmed with my handmade flowers. Since hire hats can not be altered, this complicated things. My plans were further complicated with a last minute acceptance to attend a third day of racing, and the need for a third hat!
As part of my trip, I had planned in-person study with my flower tutor, Svetlana Faulkner. With with her help, I created a silk hand-dyed peony. On a trip to Luton (the historical hat making center of England) with my colleague Katie (the same Katie who shared her trip to Ascot with us a few years ago!), I found a ready-made tan sinamay beret percher hat with jinsin trim that worked well to showcase the peony (and could be used to showcase future flowers as well!). Paired with a fair-trade cotton dress by Zuri (it was very important to me to choose dresses that were comfortable and be easily integrated into my real-life wardrobe), the look for my first day at the races was complete.
There were numerous hats worn on the first day of the races that stood out- please share your favourites in the comments!
Images from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
A look that rivals and bests many royals, HatQueen! The navy blue of the dress pairs perfectly with the tan and pink of your cocktail hat. Hope this trip was more than a dream come true for you!
Sorry, I’m so late to the party, but I had some places to attend this weekend and got behind on my Royal blogs. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your beautiful look! I love pink and navy and had no idea you made flowers for hats! This flower is exquisite and looks so, so pretty on you! What a thrill to be there! I am so happy for you to experience hat heaven!
Well done for making such a beautiful peony. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Omgosh what a fabulous experience you’ve enjoyed..all the inspiration from all the hats!! LOVE the peony (favorite flower) and your outfit.
Too bad we can’t get a drones eye view of the crowd..that might give a bit of perspective on what you saw in the way of hats..
I was fortunate to be in the Royal Enclosure on the second and third days. It is very spacious, taking up about half of the ground floor grandstand and with a fourth level viewing balcony across the grandstand. There were as many people indoors as outdoors in the Royal Enclosure, and it was the walking around the Royal Enclosure in both the gardens and grandstand levels that you saw hundreds and hundreds of absolutely beautiful hats. A drone wouldn’t capture this- it’s just something you experience when you walk around.
I was in the Queen Anne enclosure the first day and I’ll be honest…. the hats were not nearly as good. Most of them were off the peg from high street shops and while many were very pretty, they simply were not handmade hats and there were a LOT of bandeaux and fascinators (the Royal Enclosure is the only one with a 10cm hat base minimum size requirement).
The peony looks like it was picked fresh that morning, absolutely real. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Must have been such a thrill for HQ to be at the greatest hat event in the entire world.
That peony took my breath away! Thank you for sharing your hat and outfit.
I actually gasped when I saw that exquisite peony! Love the pink with the navy. You look fab, HQ! Thanks so much for sharing your experience.
What an absolutely beautiful flower!
You look fantastic! I love the navy dress with the pink (beautiful) flower on your hat!! I’m so glad you were able to attend in person!!
Beautiful hat and you’re beautiful!! Thank you so ver much for sharing all of this with us!!!
Wow, you look fabulous. Gorgeous hat. Thank you so much for sharing.
You look amazing! Thank you for letting us see your ensemble. That peony is absolutely delightful I can’t imagine the thrill of wearing something you made to Ascot. XO
Your hat is lovely and you look beautiful wearing it and I’m so happy for you that we were able to share in your Ascot experience.