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Ascot, Berkshire

England

 Opening Day, Royal Ascot 2013

Let the ladies’ hats parade commence.

(first a bit of background …)

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Ascot Racecourse, was founded in 1711 by  Queen Anne

 and remains closely associated with the British Royal Family.

Each year, in mid June, the racecourse is the venue for

The Royal Ascot

 five days of thoroughbred horse racing, which is a must-do event

on the British social calendar.

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Queen Elizabeth II (herself an avid horsewoman) attends,

accompanied by members of the royal family.

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The members of the royal party arrive in horse-drawn carriages

and after view the days’ races from their seats in the royal enclosure .

(image from channelnewsasia.com)

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There is a strict dress code to adhere for attendance at Royal Ascot.

The Royal Enclosure:

Gentlemen are required to wear black or grey morning dress, waistcoat,  tie,

black or grey top hat and black shoes.

(image from bbc.co.uk)

For ladies, the attire is formal day wear and hat.

Full length trouser suits are permitted.

Fascinators, spaghetti straps and bared midriffs are forbidden.

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For the Grandstand, attire is less formal

but a specified dress requirement applies.

If in doubt as to the appropriate attire for Royal Ascot,

have a look at this video guide:

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Dress expectation seems pretty straightforward,

conservative, traditional.

Luckily for fashion watchers

it is anything but,

 as ladies raise the stakes in wearing

unique, creative and in some instances

outrageous hat wear designs …

a milliner’s dream realised.

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Royal Ascot,  18 June 2013

Day 1

(image from metro.co.uk ):

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(image from mydaily.co.uk):

(images from dailymail.co.uk):

Glamorous: This lady was one of the few to buck the trend for colossal blooms, instead choosing a delicate gold creation trimmed with ostrich feathers

Opulent: Racegoer, Anneka Tanaka-Svenska, sports big pink blooms combined with ropes of pearls on her utterly spectacular hat

Blooming marvellous: Race goer Florence Claridge from Dover looked radiant in a gigantic hat inspired by beautiful fuchsia bushes

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(images from vancouversun.com):

Hat designer Tracy Rose poses for a photograph during the first day of Royal Ascot, in Berkshire, west of London, on June 18, 2013. The five-day meeting is one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar. Horse racing has been held at the famous Berkshire course since 1711 and tradition is a hallmark of the meeting. Top hats and tails remain compulsory in parts of the course while a daily procession of horse-drawn carriages brings the Queen to the course.

Isabella Kristensen attends Day 1 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2013 in Ascot, England.

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(images from fashion.telegraph.co.uk):

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I can’t wait to note the hat creations on Day 2.

Who will take the hat fashion trophy?

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Royal Ascot 2013

Tuesday, 18  –  Saturday, 22 June

Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire

England