Last-Minute Upgrades to your Royal Ascot Accessories

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.

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.

Pistachio Randwick Double-Breasted Shawl Lapel Piped Waistcoat

Pistachio Randwick Double-Breasted
Shawl Lapel Piped Waistcoat

Pale Blue Gabardine Wool Double-Breasted Shawl Lapel Piped Waistcoat

Pale Blue Gabardine Wool Double-
Breasted Shawl Lapel Piped Waistcoat

Pink Randwick Double-Breasted Shawl Lapel Piped Waistcoat

Pink Randwick Double-Breasted
Shawl Lapel Piped Waistcoat

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.

Pale Blue Gabardine Wool Single-Breasted Waistcoat

Pale Blue Gabardine Wool
Single-Breasted Waistcoat

Yellow Gabardine Wool Single-Breasted Waistcoat

Yellow Gabardine Wool Single-
Breasted 6 Button Waistcoat

Pink Randwick Single-Breasted 6-Button Piped Waistcoat

Pink Randwick Single-Breasted
6-Button Piped Waistcoat

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.

Powder Blue Bees Silk Single-Breasted 6-Button Waistcoat

Powder Blue Bees Silk Single-
Breasted 6-Button Waistcoat

Sky Blue Davenport Silk Single-Breasted 6-Button Waistcoat

Sky Blue Davenport Silk Single-
Breasted 6-Button Waistcoat

Silver Anais Velvet Single-Breasted 6-Button Waistcoat

Silver Anais Velvet Single-
Breasted 6-Button Waistcoat

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.

Cambridge Spot Sky/Cream Silk Tie

Cambridge Spot
Sky/Cream Silk Tie

Coral Arles Silk Tie

Coral Arles
Silk Tie

Red Stirrup Tie

Red Stirrup Tie

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.

Albany Grey Silk Tie

Albany Grey
Silk Tie

Olive Douppion Silk Tie

Olive Douppion
Silk Tie

Yellow Sandford Silk Tie

Yellow Sandford
Silk Tie

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.

Cambridge Spot Navy/Silver Silk Pocket Square

Cambridge Spot Navy/Silver
Silk Pocket Square

Grey Stirrup Handkerchief

Grey Stirrup
Handkerchief

Coral Culcross Linen Pocket Square

Coral Culcross Linen
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.