Instant Upgrades to your Royal Ascot Ensemble

Instant Upgrades to your Royal Ascot Ensemble

Gentlemen, if you haven't already organised your morning suit for Royal Ascot next week then you are cutting it pretty fine! Our recommendation would be to come and see us as soon as possible, and hope that you don't need to make any significant alterations (hopefully you're handy with a needle and thread).

For those of you who already have a morning suit, but don't want to attend the greatest racing event on earth in the exact same ensemble as last year, then this article is for you! Put simply, the key change you can make is with your waistcoat, which can completely transform your look. Luckily we have one of, if not the largest waistcoat collections in the world, and very eclectic it is too.

 
main
 
main
 
 

Pastel tones are the most traditional style, especially sky blue, and they are all equally resplendent with black, charcoal, and navy blue morning suits. The double-breasted style with the squared off hem and beautiful sweeping lapels is widely regarded as that bit more formal than its single-breasted relative, and we have a number of stunning options in wool and silk that will instantly upgrade your look.

Soft, pale pastel tones are excellent because although they inject a good dose of colour into your ensemble, they still allow for you to choose a much bolder tie or pocket square to make a sartorial statement. Our single-breasted pastel options are many, and equally as smart.

The advantage that the single-breasted waistcoat has over its noble brother, the double is where pattern is concerned. The asymmetry of the double-breasted style does not work with geometric patterns or intricate designs, and is much better suited to plain styles, whereas the single-breasted version is perfect for pattern. We have a vast range of patterned waistcoats at Favourbrook, each bringing it own bold and confident aesthetic to a formalwear look.

 
 
main
 

Ties and pockets squares are your final elements of sartorial real estate, and despite their size, can pack a real punch. A great tie can completely transform an otherwise mediocre morning suit ensemble, drawing the viewer's gaze to your face. Likewise the pocket square, which can add balance, pattern, and contrast to your look.

If you opt for a patterned waistcoat, then you may be better served going for a plain tie or one with a more muted scheme such as a subtle polka dot or understated geometric pattern. It's quite a skilled clashing patterns with aplomb so it would be advisable to play it safe if your waistcoat is doing all the talking.

We have a vast collection of ties both online and in-store that's well worth an explore in order to find the one that perfectly suits your morning suit. Finally, the pocket square, and diminutive as it might seem, it can still play a large part in the overall finish of your look. At Favourbrook, we prefer contrast pocket squares rather than ones that match the tie or waistcoat. A tonal approach is always effective, too. If your tie or waistcoat is predominantly sky blue for example, then opt for a navy blue pocket square.

A good idea is to pick out a collection from a patterned waistcoat or tie and use that to define the tone of your pocket square. Otherwise, white, cream, and ivory are all good options if you are unsure. Patterns such as stripes and polka dots are also extremely effective i breaking up the uniformity of the morning suit.

Older Post Newer Post

Leave a comment

Journal

RSS
The Register - Autumn Edition

The Register - Autumn Edition

At least five things worth your attention before the clocks change, the coats come out, and everyone starts pretending Christmas isn't happening yet.  

Read more
Neston Park: A House Made For Occasion

Neston Park: A House Made For Occasion

Some country houses are best appreciated from a polite distance: admired for their symmetry, their heritage, their ability to make a passing cloud look more...

Read more
The Register - Autumn Edition

The Register - Autumn Edition

At least five things worth your attention before the clocks change, the coats come out, and everyone starts pretending Christmas isn't happening yet.  

Read more
Neston Park: A House Made For Occasion

Neston Park: A House Made For Occasion

Some country houses are best appreciated from a polite distance: admired for their symmetry, their heritage, their ability to make a passing cloud look more...

Read more
Olive embroidered velvet coat worn over a magenta silk dress, seated in the library at Neston Park

The Autumn/Winter ’26 Womenswear Collection: The Art Of Arrival

Discover Autumn/Winter ’26 womenswear, where silk, velvet and expressive evening silhouettes bring confidence, romance and drama to every after-dark invitation.

Read more
A chintz armchair carried onto the lawn at Neston Park beneath a cedar tree, with a model seated in a brown corduroy jacket and velvet slippers

The Autumn/Winter ’26 Menswear Collection: Dressed For The Occasion

Step inside Autumn/Winter ’26: a country-house-inspired menswear collection of velvet jackets, elegant suiting and formal layers made for memorable occasions.

Read more
Leg Work: The New Season Trouser Edit

Leg Work: The New Season Trouser Edit

Cigarette trousers, palazzos and jumpsuits: discover the elegant new-season silhouettes bringing poise and personality to evening dressing.

Read more
Decoding The Dinner Jacket

Decoding The Dinner Jacket

From regal origins to velvet lapels, discover the anatomy, etiquette and enduring appeal of menswear’s definitive after-dark jacket.  

Read more
Ladies’ Eveningwear Essentials

Ladies’ Eveningwear Essentials

From Le Smoking tailoring to silk, velvet and statement separates, discover the essential pieces for a confident, elegant autumn and winter evening wardrobe.

Read more
How To Build A Formal Wardrobe

How To Build A Formal Wardrobe

A considered guide to building a formal wardrobe, from versatile suits and waistcoats to velvet dinner jackets and the accessories that complete them.

Read more
Men’s Waistcoats Explained: The Essential Guide

Men’s Waistcoats Explained: The Essential Guide

The waistcoat is one of formalwear’s most transformative pieces. It brings structure to a suit, adds depth to a morning look, and, when worn well,...

Read more
Ladies' Eveningwear Codes Explained

Ladies' Eveningwear Codes Explained

An expressive guide to eveningwear codes, from black tie to cocktail, with Le Smoking tailoring and velvet-silk layers making autumn dressing feel assured and contemporary.

Read more
Smoking Hot! Why We Love The Cigarette Trouser

Smoking Hot! Why We Love The Cigarette Trouser

Hailing from Christian Dior’s 1954 H-Line collection, the Cigarette trouser continues to be a sleek chic alternative to dresses for eveningwear, with our eclectic collection...

Read more
The Modern Black Tie Code Explained

The Modern Black Tie Code Explained

A modern guide to black tie in rich autumn tones, where velvet, silk and considered detailing bring fresh energy to the evening wardrobe.

Read more