Knickers, Please

The Chairman of Ascot Racecourse has issued strong guidance about the strict dress code for the Royal Ascot race meet this year, including a tightening of the code for the Royal Enclosure after receiving complaints that standards are slipping.

Royal Ascot is a famous thoroughbred race meeting attended by the Royal Family and many consider it one of the most important social events on the calendar. Of course, most just go to guzzle obscene quantities of booze and make sometimes-questionable sartorial statements.

To clarify things for guests, race organizers helpfully included a leaflet outlining the dress code with event tickets and have published a guide on their website featuring photos of "suitable" and "unsuitable" attire, designated by green checkmarks or red x's.

The Telegraph reports:

In a humorous "A to Z of Do's and Don'ts, women are also advised to keep their underwear under wraps during the five-day meeting starting on Tuesday.

"Knickers," it says. "A definite yes, but not on show please ladies."

The same guide warns that streaky tan lines are "a total fashion faux pas", and that how a hat looks "from the neck up is the most important and can make or break an outfit".

Men are also expected to adhere to the code, which means they must wear either black or grey morning dress, including "a waistcoat, with a top hat, which must be worn at all times in the Royal Enclosure".

I guess this woman didn't get the message! What would the Queen say?

UPDATE for American readers: In British English, knickers = women's underwear, as in "That bird's got no knickers on!"