How to dress up for Ladies Day

9:07am Tuesday 19th August 2008

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York’s biggest racing event should have begun today but rain has stopped play>>

Thousands of race lovers traditionally make tracks for Knavesmire and the first day of the Ebor festival.

Record-breaking crowds have been a hallmark of the Ebor meeting in recent years.

Thursday is Ladies Day, when women attend in all their finery. But regulars to the races will know that there is no such thing a ‘dress-down’ day at York. Every day is ladies day, as far as fashion lovers are concerned.

Just as they do every year, the women attending will have splashed out on outfits in every colour of the rainbow, with headgear to match.

They won’t let a little bit of rain put them off. And even if the worst came to the worst and the entire week were to prove a washout, the race-day style they have gone to so much effort to perfect would be perfect for other occasions, such as weddings or afternoon garden parties.

So let’s put a brave face on things. What is the fashionable woman-about-town wearing to the races (or the garden party) this year?

Well, this year has seen the return of the dress, and it’s a fair bet that the frock will be ahead of the pack in the style stakes.

Dresses are elegant and simple to wear, so it’s not hard to see why women have fallen in love with wearing them once more.

The summer sales – earlier than ever this year – were awash with dresses, perfect for a day at the races.

If you didn’t manage to bag a bargain in the discount rails, the good news is that the new collections for autumn and winter arrived equally early, with plenty of new looks to help you stand out.

Feminine tailoring continues as a strong trend through the coming season, affording the perfect look for a day at the races or the garden party scene. Dresses are fitted at the waist, and either hug the hips to show off your curves or flair out, prom-style, in a more figure- forgiving manner.

For an even better fit, opt for a two-piece. Team a slinky pencil skirt or wide-legged trousers with an elegant top or fitted jacket.

Have fun with finishing touches too. By all means, go all out in a fabulous hat, but for something a bit more restrained, slide a fascinator into your hair, or a pretty corsage.

York style expert Jacey Lamerton says accessories are a brilliant way to have fun and bring old favourites up to date.

Jacey, who runs the clothes-swapping and style advice service Get Your Frocks Off, said: “In the current climate, you can dress something up to the nines without having to buy a new outfit.

“This summer I bought a corsage from Selkie in Petergate, which is very versatile. You can wear it in your hair, pin it to a bag, belt or a jacket. You can even buy some small corsages and pin them to your shoes.”

For something a bit more substantial, try the hybrid hat, popular at Get Ahead Hats, near York.

More than a fascinator, but less than a full hat, it’s more like the cocktail hat of old, and ideal for a day at the races.

Among the cocktail-style hats available for sale or hire at Get Ahead Hats are exclusive designs by Philip Somerville, milliner to the Queen.

And if they are good enough for Her Majesty, they’re certainly good enough for the ladies of York.