My reflections on a day at the races – attending Ladies Day at Royal Ascot 2025 as a Milliner
A great deal of thought and planning can go into what us ladies wear to a wonderful day of World class racing. It’s the opportunity to really dress up and of course wear a stunning hat. I had already decided to wear my green and pink straw hat before I won the Charity Shop to Ascot competition run by the British Hat Guild with it The British Hat Guild From Charity Shop to Ascot. So the hunt was on to find a dress that went well with it.
I adore pink and green together but I was not sure I would find anything with emerald green and coral pink. Luck is sometimes on your side and I managed to find a lovely dress with great details – it was love at first sight. It should really be the other way around – sourcing a lovely hat or headpiece to match your outfit, because it really reduces the jeopardy! Milliners are skilled at picking out a colour or tone in a pattern or fabric, although you can also coordinate with your shoes and bag instead.
I live in Cambridgeshire, so getting to Ascot involved car, train and tube travel. On getting to Waterloo station, the sight of lots of hats under the central concourse clock (a main meeting point), makes it clear that it is Royal Ascot week. I met my dear friend Ann Marie at Waterloo and we caught the train to Ascot full of excited racegoers: swopping betting tips, chatting and getting very hot in the heat. This became a theme for the day as it was exceptionally hot on the 19th June 2025, evidenced by the number of fluttering fans in use at the racecourse.
Ascot Station is very close to the Racecourse, so it’s a quick stroll up a shady path decorated with Union Jack bunting and over the footbridge to the entrance. We were in the Queen Anne Enclosure which affords great views of the Royal Procession into the Parade ground and access to the Grandstand and trackside lawns. It’s named after Queen Anne who founded Royal Ascot in 1711, as a venue for ‘horses fit for kings.’
‘Immerse yourself in the full splendour of Royal Ascot with a trip to the Queen Anne Enclosure. As the only public enclosure that grants access to the coveted Parade Ring, Bandstand and Grandstand, the Queen Anne Enclosure provides an unparalleled view of the world-class racing on offer. An outing here is never complete without the joyful singing around the Bandstand, which takes place each day after the racing.’
I had a chat with Ian, one of the Green Coats who have ceremonial duties at Royal Ascot and he kindly agreed to a photo. They are all resplendent in the forest green uniform which dates back to Queen Anne’s day.
We arrived in good time to have a look around and take in all the wonderful outfits and of course terrific hats, before finding a spot to watch the Royal Procession from 2pm. It is the 200th year that this has that the Royal procession has taken place – royalty from multiple generations have travelled by horse drawn carriage down the race track into the Parade ground. The Royal Procession: Celebrating The 200th Anniversary of this Timeless Tradition It’s great to take in all the pagentry and heritage before the racing begins.
We placed a few bets on races throughout the afternoon and headed to the half furlong mark by the racecourse, for The Gold Cup, to experience the horses thundering past. This was undoubtedly the race that produced the loudest cheers from the crowd. The horses are magnificent and so fast, making some of the races over very quickly.
I also met up with several fellow members of The British Millinery Association and the Millinery Business Academy for a group photo by the magnificent statue of Frankel. Obviously all the hats were spectacular!!
Being a bit of a hat and millinery nerd, I was looking at everyone’s’ hats all day. Lots of ladies wearing cream or white with a pop of bright colour on the hat, lots of crinoline trims and many large brims were my take homes. Some of the Best dressed at Roya Ascot 2025 according to Harpers Bazaar.
We decided to head home after the last race, but did so to the start of the sing-a-long to music from the Bandstand. Waiting for my train home at London Bridge station, I really stood out in my bright dress and hat.
Several people gave me the thumbs up and a couple of total strangers came over the say how much they loved my hat. A nice end to a fabulous day at Royal Ascot.
If you are interested in a handmade hat or a bespoke commission, from Milliner Alison Cooper of Millinery Malarkey, then please take a look in my online hat shop or get in touch.
Related links:
The British Millinery Association
The British Hat Guild From Charity Shop to Ascot
Best dressed at Roya Ascot 2025
Making Headway – Creating Sustainability in Hats exhibition
Racing Post: Royal Ascot 2025: running order, TV schedule and day-by-day guide to the big races
