It’s time for another year at Royal Ascot’s Ladies Day and you know that Black women, as always, are going to do it our way. My girlfriends and I go every year and take our style very seriously. We plan our outfits, sometimes a year in advance, scouring all the high street designer sales to find the best hats, dresses, shoes and handbags. We used to wear pretty flowered summer dresses with little fascinators, but this year more glamourous dresses are in. Our fascinators will be bigger and dresses more evening than summer.  

We travel with Jennifer Watson’s coach party. A group of mostly women leave at 8:30am [sharp] outside the Lidl Supermarket car park on Lea Bridge Road in East London. Of course, Caribbean time means we usually don’t leave until closer to 10am – there’s always somebody running late! On the way, we are kept entertained with music and as many ‘free’ snacks, and champagne as we can consume. 

Once at Ascot, we go to the Windsor Enclosure, one of four. The others are: Royal Enclosure, Queen Anne Enclosure and Village Enclosure. The Royal Enclosure is arguably the most elitist. Women are expected not to have their décolletage on display. Spaghetti-straps are discouraged as well as any dresses that are above the knee. The Queen Anne Enclosure is the second most formal enclosure, again no strapless or off the shoulder dresses, but women can wear a trouser suit. Meanwhile, the Village and Windsor enclosures offer a more relaxed atmosphere. In all cases a hat, however, a fascinator or headpiece matching your outfit is always worn. See dress code here 

One of the best things about the day is the music – loud and pulsing, spicing up the event like only the Windrush crew can. And everybody – yes everybody joins in with the dancing and merrymaking. If the DJ is playing ‘Candy,’ well that’s a hit and the line-dancing and tripping over people’s feet – for those unfamiliar with the dance steps – begins. It’s so much fun and we even have a flutter on a horse that is slated to win.  There is food available to buy on site, but it can be quite expensive. Visitors usually bring a picnic basket. In our case, sustenance is in the form of peanuts, crisps and tea cakes, supplied by the host. 

Alas it all ends too soon. Usually about 7pm the driver signals the event organizer to round up the crew to head homeward. We try to prolong the merriment as long as we can, until we are threatened with being left behind. A two-hour trip back to London under our own steam – no I don’t think so!

If you’re interested in giving it a try, you can still get tickets from some outlets on-line, although ordering usually begins in October of the previous year. Many people drive, but I encourage you to go with a coach party or even ‘let the train take the strain’ and enjoy the scenic views without the stress of driving yourself. 

Here are the details at a glance:

What: Ascot Races’ Ladies Day 

Where: Ascot Racecourse Limited, Ascot Berkshire SL5 7J 

When: Thursday 20th June 2024; Contact: Tel: +44 (0)344 346 3611 

Email: events@ascot.com/ 

Website: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/ascotracecourse 

How to get there: Train/London Waterloo to Ascot/ Drive [45 min-1hr+ depending on traffic] 

Cost: Entry into your chosen enclosure is from £50:00+ depending on the package you purchase but does not include the journey to/from Ascot. The event is accessible via different enclosures; the Royal Enclosure, the Queen Anne Enclosure, the Village Enclosure and the Windsor Enclosure.  

Jennifer Watson’s coach party [price: £105:00 paid in two installments] includes return coach trip, snacks and entry into the Windsor Enclosure. Call 07958 758 826.