If yesterday’s opening day of Royal Ascot proved anything, it’s that the racing may be on the track, but the real competition is happening in the style stakes.

　　From dazzling hats and elegant tailoring to celebrity appearances and influencer moments, Ascot 2026 got off to a seriously glamorous start, with a host of famous faces stepping out in their finest race-day looks.

　　Geri Halliwell

　　Geri Halliwell-Horner turned heads with her husband Christian Horner ©Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Leading the fashion charge was none other than Geri Halliwell, who once again demonstrated why she remains one of Britains most reliable style stars. Looking every inch the polished Ascot regular, Geri embraced her trademark sophisticated aesthetic, proving that understated elegance can still turn heads in a sea of statement outfits.

　　Kelly Osbourne

　　Kelly Osbourne showed off a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with her bat outfit ©Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images Meanwhile, Kelly Osbourne brought plenty of personality to the Berkshire racecourse. Never one to shy away from a fashion moment, Kellys look stood out among the crowd and added a welcome dose of drama to the days proceedings. Ascot may have its strict dress codes, but Kelly showed theres still plenty of room for individuality.

　　Jade Holland

　　Jade Holland Cooper looked incredible in her own label Holland Cooper Clothing ©Getty Images One of the biggest talking points of the day, however, was the dominance of designer Jade Holland Cooper. The founders signature blend of countryside chic and sharp tailoring felt perfectly suited to Ascot, and her influence could be seen all across the racecourse.

　　In fact, it seemed as though Holland Cooper was having her own unofficial fashion takeover.

　　Chloe Rose Influencer favourites Chloe Rose and Josie Ions were both spotted wearing Holland Cooper designs, cementing the labels status as one of the must-wear brands of the season. While Chloe brought a classic, feminine take to the look, Josie delivered a more contemporary social-media-ready spin.

　　Holland Cooper Clothing also dressed influencer Chloe Rose ©getty images Josie Ions Together, they perfectly captured the mood of Ascot 2026: polished, aspirational and unapologetically glamorous.

　　Josie Ions looked stunning in Holland Cooper Clothings summer range ©getty images Vanessa Williams Another star attracting plenty of attention was Vanessa Williams. The actress and singer looked effortlessly elegant as she arrived, bringing a touch of Hollywood glamour to the famous race meeting. Against a backdrop of extravagant millinery and impeccably dressed guests, Vanessa more than held her own.

　　Vanessa Williams looked stunning in block orange ©Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images As for the wider trends? This years Ascot fashion felt noticeably more refined than recent seasons. Instead of loud prints and attention-grabbing neon shades, racegoers embraced a softer, more luxurious colour palette. Powder blue, buttery yellow, blush pink and creamy neutrals were everywhere, while perfectly tailored dresses and sharply cut jackets dominated the enclosures.

　　And then there were the hats.

　　After a few years in which fascinators appeared to be taking over, traditional statement millinery made a triumphant return. The bigger, bolder and more sculptural the hat, the better. Ascot is one of the few places where a dramatic headpiece still feels entirely normal — and guests certainly took advantage.

　　But if there was one clear winner in the fashion stakes, it was classic British elegance. Whether it was Geris timeless sophistication, Vanessas star quality, Kellys fashion confidence or Jade Holland Coopers tailoring empire making its mark on celebrities and influencers alike, Ascots opening day delivered exactly what fashion fans were hoping for: glamour, polish and plenty to talk about.

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