Tuesday 11 May 2010

An ‘A to Z’ of Do’s and Don’ts in the Royal Ascot Fashion Stakes

Ascot As usual, Ascot will act not just as the backdrop to the world’s finest race meeting, but also to the colour and variety of contemporary and traditional fashions.

Beauty A fresh faced female (and male!) will be picked out from the crowds at Royal Ascot by Europe’s leading model agency, Models 1, to become ‘The Face of Ascot 2011’.

Cravats Just not quite the done thing these days. It’s ties with Morning Dress unless you’re at a wedding!

Dress Code The wearing of morning dress and formal wear has developed over time and the dress code for the Royal Enclosure is at the heart of Royal Ascot.

Eccentricity So there’s a dress code… but that doesn’t stop Ascot being the perfect place to show off your own style and express your individual personality (within reason!)

Feet! No pain, no gain! High heels look fabulous but don’t neglect your feet girls! The site is a quarter of a mile long so lady visitors may wish to consider their footwear carefully…or just wear the heels, everyone knows they look great!

Glamorous Perceptions of glamour change but the core principle remains the same - being glamorous is about creating an illusion that you lead an enviable life.

Happiness No outfit would be complete without a beaming bright smile – remember to wear yours and take advantage of your most attractive (and free) feature!

…And Hats Simply the Ascot accessory! Wear hats straight on the head or tilted mysteriously over one eye. How a hat looks from the neck up is most important.

Inspiration Be inspired by the latest catwalk trends, the season’s colours and contemporary looks. Show off your own style and become the trendsetter not a follower!

Jewellery Remember to keep it simple, over accessorising can easily draw the eye away from a classic outfit.

Katrantzou One of London’s emerging talents and showcasing her range in the Bessborough on Gold Cup Day this year.

Ladies’ Day There is no difference whatsoever between any of the five days of Royal Ascot – no Ladies’ Day is promoted – all five days are ladies’ days! Ascot is about hats and ladies dressed beautifully all week.

Morning Dress Morning dress (black or grey) is compulsory in the Royal Enclosure, but is also a familiar sight in other areas of the racecourse.

Now …is the time to start planning your perfect outfit. Don’t delay as leaving it to the last minute could cost you in the style stakes!

Orange Every girl’s worst nightmare is streaky tan lines – a total fashion faux pas and there’s no excuse!

Paparazzi Royal Ascot is one of the “must attend” events for photographers from all over the world. Literally hundreds of snappers representing the papers and glossies descend on Ascot every June, and some even photograph the horses!

Her Majesty The Queen Betting on the colour of the Queen’s hat on Gold Cup Day is available from any bookmaker worth his salt. Just be wary of believing all the post arrival hype about leaks from the Palace and betting coups being landed by insiders. It’s a novelty market and they never take more than pennies and the “we were hit for thousands!” story is becoming a Royal Ascot tradition in itself!

Rainy Days Don’t get caught out in the unpredictable summer showers – a trusty umbrella can also double up as the ultimate fashion accessory to complement your outfit.

Summer Sun Sun protection cream is a must – nobody can make sunburn look good!

Toppers Black or grey are equally acceptable but if you’re not going the silk route, grey is much safer.

Urban Myths For the very last time! Rod Stewart was NOT ejected from the Royal Enclosure. He was looking for his hospitality area and a very kind, if admittedly slightly frightening Royal Enclosure steward, was snapped pointing him in the direction of his suite. A free gift for the paparazzi? Yes.

Vehicular Egress! Ladies, the easiest way to exit a vehicle is to take a firm hold on the back hem of the skirt, twist your body with your legs together until your legs are toward the exiting door of the vehicle, and then stand.

What Not To Wear Everyone has experienced their own personal fashion disaster at some time in their life. The ultimate ladies’ nightmare is surely getting home from a day at the races to find you’ve been singled out by the BBC Fashion Team, who take absolutely no prisoners!

The X Factor … if you’re truly carried away with your partner’s immaculate appearance, the pink benches at Ascot are there for proposals!

Yeats ...the most stunning visitor to Royal Ascot for the last four years and the winner of all four Gold Cups since the redevelopment. Whatever you wore, however much you spent, this supreme athlete has stolen the show on the ultimate catwalk since 2006 and he wore the same outfit every time!

Zips Gentlemen ensure these are always done up. A simple schoolboy error can spoil even the most distinguished of outfits!

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