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Read our privacy notice . Race-day fashion is maximalism personified. The frills, the feathers, the prints - dress code conventions dictate that more is always more.
For some, this is quite daunting. Brits tend to go all out for events such as Royal Ascot and Cheltenham, donning their most lavish finery for the occasion. The day is also a spectacle of royal fashion, with the Princess of Wales, the York sisters and Zara Tindall making a sartorial splash for the public to admire.
A wave of polka dots, silks and florals funnel into the enclosure where crowds mingle among plumes of feathered fascinators and champagne. Race day is as much about winning in the financial department as it is in the clothing department. Choosing a race day look requires considerable thought.
Not only is there a certain amount of pressure to execute a dramatic ensemble, but there are rules and regulations one must follow. Dress codes differ depending on event, enclosure and gender. For example, at Ascot, strapless or sheer strap tops or dresses are not permitted, which includes off-the-shoulder, Bardot and one-shoulder items.
Midriffs must be covered and one must wear a headpiece or fascinator . Call it old-fashioned, but it’s just the way it i.