Are event dress codes 'outdated' or essential for special occasions?

[00:00:00]An outfit worn by influencer and huge personality Lizzie Cundy at Ascot, Royal Ascot no less, earlier this week went on to spark a whole dress code drama. So, this is the outfit in question. It looks very see-through. She may well tell us differently about what was going on underneath that lace. But, she was turned away because of it from the Royal Enclosure because it didn't follow strict fashion rules you have for that.

[00:00:28]>> Absolutely. So, is it time for us to finally relax these traditional, perhaps uptight, dress codes for formal events, weddings, even at work? I think that's changed already post-COVID. Or do they actually still have an important place in modern society and in polite society, I guess. Joining us now is Lizzie Cundy who says she's apologized for Ascot, but thinks fashion in generally has to be fun. An etiquette expert with the perfect name, Laura Windsor, who says >> You were born to that role, Lizzie.

[00:00:58]>> to this role. Um says that British traditions need to be upheld. Right. Lizzie, what happened?

[00:01:05]What was going on under the dress? What did they say? What happened?

[00:01:08]>> Listen, I I'm going to say a galloping jockey could see that that dress wasn't see-through. It had a >> Let's put the picture up again. Let's investigate this.

[00:01:19]>> we have to?

[00:01:19]>> [laughter] >> That dress, can I just tell you, has its own Twitter page now and has gone viral.

[00:01:24]It's unbelievable. But, the dress had a like a beige-y underlay underneath.

[00:01:30]>> Ah, like a lining.

[00:01:32]>> And I'll be honest, Kate, I don't think you've seen me with so many clothes on.

[00:01:36]>> Well, it is the most conservative I've ever seen you dressed, Lizzie. I've got to say.

[00:01:40]>> But, when I heard that you had run into this spot of bother, I thought, "My goodness, I've got to see what she's wearing." And I was like, "Ooh, that's fine. What What [laughter] are we talking about?" But, it's not fine for the Royal Enclosure, Lizzie. You didn't follow the rules.

[00:01:53]>> no, I Well, I thought actually I I did follow the rules. And um I, you know, I got a bit of a slap on the wrist and I have said sorry, which I am sorry. But, I do believe look, you know, particularly the races, it is all about the fashion. I know it is really about the racing, especially the women. They go and get their dresses, their hats.

[00:02:14]It's supposed to be fun. And, you know, that's what I am. You can >> Can you have fun and follow the rules?

[00:02:21]>> Of course you can.

[00:02:23]There are specific dress codes and it's all splattered all over the internet on what to wear. And, there are certain guidelines that you have to follow. And, you can still be fashionable. I'm a personal stylist as well, so I understand Lizzie wanting to show her personality through her clothes. But, unfortunately, it did look a little bit see-through, probably because of that skin-colored camisole you had underneath.

[00:02:49]>> I was at Ascot yesterday and I saw a lot of similar dresses to what Lizzie was wearing.

[00:02:53]>> Not in the royal enclosure, but in general at the races. You're very well dressed. Look how gorgeous you are.

[00:02:59]>> I was very covered up.

[00:03:00]>> Oh, look at you.

[00:03:02]>> But, you know, this is the whole fun of the races and events. And, you know, I >> would say that Lizzie, just to give you give her a bit of a chance, some would say that actually dressing up and going for an occasion like that, and not just that, weddings, whatever, it's it's a doing the rules and behaving in a different way than you would do when you were going out normally.

[00:03:24]>> That makes it a sense of occasion.

[00:03:27]>> Absolutely. Ascot, how many days are there? Five days a year? And, it's nice just to make that extra effort and to follow the guidelines.

[00:03:36]>> I would you say that's the same for work or if you're going to a wedding or whatever?

[00:03:41]>> Absolutely.

[00:03:42]The idea of dress codes is to know what to wear and to make sure that everyone feels comfortable because when you're wearing the wrong outfit, like white wearing white and the and the bride is wearing white.

[00:03:55]>> Have you ever done that, Lizzie? It's going to make her feel a little >> Yes, I did. I have done that. Um and I wish I had the picture of it. And I did ask if it was okay. I asked everyone but the bride, but they were fine.

[00:04:09]>> [laughter] >> No, look.

[00:04:12]I I had colored accessories. But look, look, I honestly think we're taking this too, you know, seriously.

[00:04:19]>> Look what's going on in the world. I mean, I I abide by the rules, but in fashion, I like to reflect my personality.

[00:04:27]>> And I'm sorry, fashions change. We need to have, I think, the Ascot rules reviewed yearly. As fashion looks change, you know, through the seasons, >> are always guidelines.

[00:04:40]>> Yeah, but it's always picked on at the women, and this is my point. It's always the women being criticized. It's always the women being ridiculed.

[00:04:47]>> you've got to let Nora say something, Lizzie. You've [clears throat] got to let Nora say >> We have choices, more choices than men.

[00:04:52]With with the men, it's a morning dress, and that's about it. And remember, are we the ones to tell people that we want to change the rules? Because if you think about it, Ascot was like a marriage market for debutantes >> All right.

[00:05:06]>> to find eligible men, and the aristocracy would come to London over the summer, and it's part of the British season. So, why are we telling whomever, the royals, let's change the dress code?

[00:05:20]It doesn't make sense.

[00:05:21]>> Do you think in general, like sort of work dress codes post-COVID have changed? You know, people working from home more, and so you do notice sort of, you know, relaxed clothing encroaching in all small areas of life. No, not the people wearing pajamas to the local shop to get But do you think that in general in society, we need to smarten up our act?

[00:05:42]>> Well, it would be nice. It's always nice to make an effort when you're going out, wherever you're going.

[00:05:48]>> Right.

[00:05:48]>> more special. If you wear a beautiful dress, you feel [clears throat] beautiful and you act differently as well.

[00:05:54]>> Yes. You're right.

[00:05:54]>> Okay.

[00:05:55]>> I I do think that I don't think that Lizzie does always make an effort. I think we have to say that.

[00:06:00]>> I know you know that it's actually a market for dating Ascot.

[00:06:03]>> I know.

[00:06:03]>> I don't know.

[00:06:04]>> [laughter] >> I hate hats, but I'll do it >> Could you wear one for the end of this item, please?

[00:06:09]>> Come on. Pop it on.

[00:06:10]>> I know I'm not wearing >> All right. I think you'll look mad.

[00:06:13]>> I know I'm not.

[00:06:14]>> Oh.

[00:06:14]>> I hate it.

[00:06:16]>> It's gorgeous.

[00:06:17]>> And Ascot Racecourse today >> said that there are no plans to relax any of the dress codes, uh, which are much loved and parts of the and lots of your comments coming in. We shall get to those later on. Lots of people saying that Ascot is all about the dress code and people like a bit of tradition.

[00:06:33]>> Well, they do I do like tradition, but >> You've had your say, Lizzie. We've got to move on.

[00:06:37]>> a little bit >> with fashion. Love it.

[00:06:38]>> It's fashion, folks. It's so fun.

[00:06:40]>> She's got a range of wings today.

[00:06:44]>> They've all got little splits in the skirt. It's [laughter] all over. It's written in the skirt. It's all over.