We’ve collated a variety of dress styles and wonderful matching hats to wear for the summer races including the most famous of them all – Royal Ascot.
Check out our article on the Royal Ascot dress code for each enclosure.
Prices correct at time of writing.
This article contains affiliate links – if you click an affiliate link and buy a product it will not cost you more or affect your customer experience but we may earn a small commission from the sale, thank you!
The Figure Hugging Dress
Highlight your natural curves in Nadine Merabi’s Mindy dress. This midi dress is crafted from baby blue or baby pink lace with a nude mesh lining and a fabric detachable belt.
Its fitted bodice is designed with an underwire padded bust and a sweetheart neckline. Exaggerated ruffle cap sleeves and a fishtail skirt are given fullness with a layer of stiff mesh underneath. This playful statement accentuates the hourglass silhouette of the dress.
Price £375.
Mindy Blue Dress – NADINE MERABI
Alexandra Harper’s Supreme Flash headpiece will match swimmingly with this mermaid style dress. Made of hand-twisted goose feathers in light blue resembling a colony of sea coral nestling on top of a silk-covered, skullcap-style base.
Price £650.
The Peplum Dress
Accentuate the waist in Leblon London’s Alexa dress. In 100% cool cotton, this floral printed dress is a ray of sunshine.
The flared peplum layer around the waistline emphasises the smallest part of the waist whilst giving fullness to the hips. Its wide puffed sleeves ending at the elbow and full skirt with a gathered bottom tier also draw attention to the waist.
A square neckline, tailored mid section and full length button through brings a modern edge to this romantic style.
Price £380.
Alexa Dress – Leblon London Ltd
Spread the sunshine with Alexandra Harper’s Daffodil headpiece – a cute, button-style base swathed in veiling and on top, sits a vibrant pure silk dupion ‘scrunchie’.
Price £295.
The A-line Sundress
Pantone colour of the year is Peach Fuzz, described as a velvety gentle peach tone, and this Closet London jacquard print embraces the warmth and elegance of this shade.
Made in a viscose jacquard with peach and metallic gold thread flowers woven into it. Fully lined with a full pleated skirt, square neck, a wide waistband curving under the bust and convenient pockets for your phone and race card.
Also available in a lilac and gold floral pattern.
Price £130.
Luxurious Chic: Closet London peach orange Jacquard Print A-line Dress
Complete the sunny look with Sharper Millinery’s Madeleine headpiece. A buttermilk straw disc stitched and curved to perch across the side of the head and finished with a statement lily and distressed crin.
Price £125.
The Empire Line Dress
The empire line on Monsoon’s Leona dress has a slimming and lengthening effect by creating a higher waistline just under the bust allowing the fabric to drape seamlessly to the hemline.
A low V neckline helps elongate and slim the silhouette whilst floaty dolman sleeves not only look ethereal but camouflage tops of the arms.
In a soft sage green with a spattering of sequins to add a touch of sparkle to your day at the races.
Price £150.
Leona Embellished Dress Green | Evening Dresses | Monsoon UK
Add a touch of whimsy with Alexandra Harper’s Spirit Beyond Yourself headpiece. A shaggy plume of ostrich feathers in variegated shades of green create texture to complement the smoothness of the dress.
Price £350.
The Drop Waist Dress
Elongate the torso with Live Unlimited London’s sleeveless maxi dress.The drop waist diverts the eye from the natural waistline and just skims the hips. The style ensures fabric is not clinging to either the waist or the hips.
Printed all over with a red abstract print, this maxi dress is cut from a soft woven fabric, and fully lined for coverage and comfort.
With a lengthening V-neck, it has an empire seam with soft gathers under the bust which creates a cinched in silhouette, while a panel of elastic shirring at the back ensures the perfect comfortable fit. A curved tier at the dress’s hemline adds to its flattering silhouette.
Price £119.
Red Abstract Print Sleeveless Maxi Dress (liveunlimitedlondon.com)
Sharper Millinery’s Sonja headpiece makes a striking statement with its large expanse of red bubble crin loops and cluster of red spiky biot feathers nestled in the inner part of the piece.
Price £175.
The Pencil Dress
The pencil dress is a smart tailored choice for the races, but ensure it doesn’t look too business-like by choosing pastel or bright fun colours and/or sparkling accessories.
Look cool in 8th Sign’s white Asteria dress. Adorned with gold embellishments on the shoulders, a pearl diamante waist and a sexy cowl back.
Price £180.
Asteria Embellished Shoulder Cowl Back Midi – White – 8th sign
Sometimes less is more and a simple hat would best suit such a statement dress.
The classic fedora is ideal and Elena Shvab’s Tilly is a modern improvisation of this style. The fresh white straw hat is decorated with a gold metallic foil crown tip which adds a quiet glamour.
Price £285.
Photographer of the Tilly image is Yulia Novikova.
Tilly, wide brim white fedora hat with gold crown | elena-shvab (elenashvab.com)
The Peasant Style Dress
The flowing peasant style dress evokes a free spirit. Vz Collection’s midi length English Rose Print dress is cut as a soft feminine fit and flare shape with a large tassel drawstring that can nip in the waist as much as you like.
Crafted from Italian stretch satin lining and a chiffon feel silk mix. Seen here in a delicate pastel palette but also available in blue & blush pink.
Price £165.
English Rose Print Sleeveless Dress – Vz Collection
Taming that free spirit just a little to create an overall smart finished look for a day at the races is Sharper Millinery’s Bloom headpiece.
The stiff paradisal straw button beret base gives structure to the outfit whilst the full bloom antique roses in hints of pink, blush, pale yellow and red are in harmony with the peasant style look. Finished with statement ivory curls for height and movement.
Price £125.
The Pleated Skirt Dress
Using more fabric than other styles, the accordion pleated dress adds volume which in turn gives fullness to the hips whilst nipping in the waist.
Closet London’s sunray pleated jacquard dress in pink has a pretty print of blue sweetpeas. The top is fitted and has a twisted collar with a keyhole opening.
The main attraction for the pleated dress is how the skirt elegantly swirls and swooshes as you move.
Price £120.
Closet London Pink Pleated Jacquard Dress | Shop Now
Be cute as a button in Sharper Millinery’s Maxima button headpiece. Covered with handmade and hand dyed fabric from Silversoles, the blue tones accentuate the patterns created within the fabrics giving a beautiful stripe across the button.
The piece is finished with a statement crin bow and two curly pheasant feathers. A collaboration with Emma Jackson from Silversoles.
Price £165.
Karen Grace studied Personal Styling at the London College of Fashion and is Eclipse Magazine’s Fashion & Beauty Editor.
You can read more of Karen’s fashion advice at: www.frumpytofunky.com
For personal shopping and styling services you can reach her via frumpy to funky on contact@frumpytofunky
