Like any other major cup day you’d find in New Zealand, fashion is a huge element of Royal Ascot, says Courtney Mason, over in London and at the famous horse race, dressed to the nines. She takes us through the fashion dos adn don’ts…
“Tickets for sale! I’m buying or selling!” bleats a greasy looking bloke in cargo pants and a rain coat.
He is rifling through his pile of unauthorised tickets, shifty eyes doing their best to attract the attention of the bustling crowd. He stands out a mile from the other men in the vicinity, tall backed in their top hats and tails, and is no doubt preparing to make his fortune – this is the Royal Ascot after all, the 300 year anniversary of one of the biggest race meets in the world, and Saturday tickets have sold out.
The weather forecast says wet, but nothing could dampen my spirits today – I have been looking forward to this since arriving in London two months ago, to find the glamour, excitement and prestige of the event splashed all over the papers.
Running over five days, this year Royal Ascot will attract over 250,000 race goers… I’m sure I’m not the only one that has little interest in the horses, but a lot of interest in the opportunity to get dressed up to the nines. Like any other major cup day you’d find in New Zealand, fashion is a huge element of Royal Ascot. But can you put your most expressive fashion foot forward? Maybe not.
There are three separate enclosures at Royal Ascot, each demanding a different dress code.
1. The Royal Enclosure:
Very exclusive, as the name suggests, with a very strict dress code to match. Shoulder straps must be at least an inch thick, mini-skirts are not acceptable, and don’t even think about forgetting your hat.
2. The Grandstand:
Accessible to anyone willing to fork out the dosh, with a reasonably relaxed dress code – although jeans and shorts are a big no-no.
3. The Silver Ring:
My home for the day. There is no enforced dress code, however literally everyone I saw, guys and girls alike, had clearly made an effort. Bubble dresses were hugely popular – more than a few girls were sporting the Zara Tulip dress (www.zara.com) in various colours and prints.
Gumboots, interestingly, were the choice of footwear for handfuls of well-groomed ladies – obviously Ascot veterans who knew to expect the mud!
For those not so experienced, stilettos were out in-force. Bright red was the colour of the day, and although points are said to be making a come-back, this doesn’t translate to what I see on the feet of the girls in London, with round-toe heels still at number one.
As the day progressed, I gathered key fashion tips from the people around me:
• It is very important to check that your dress covers all parts of your body which should be covered in public – even when your arms are raised! All privates should be kept private, thanks.
• Do not wear any sort of flip-flop shoes to an outdoor event, when it has been raining. Case in point, the glamorous girl whose bejewelled sandals had flicked mud all up the back of her canary yellow dress.
• If you are going to wear a hat or large fascinator, it will be the first thing people notice about your outfit. The most eye-catching head-piece of the day belonged to a girl who obviously knew how to have a laugh, wearing a copy of Princess Beatrice’s infamous Philip Treacy hat.
Other than that, flowers were everywhere, either as a fascinator or pilled on top of a hat.
So all in all, a fun and fashion filled day at Royal Ascot… I tip my floral fascinator to it.
Oh, and the horse racing was great, too.
By Courtney Mason, 20 June 2011.
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