What to wear to the races - Ascot, Derby, etc.

[Sea Of Love]

Hi everyone,
I think I am bad at searching because nothing came up on this topic for me to see.
I have just been asked out of nowhere to go to a few race meetings with someone and I have no idea what to wear. I don't really have any time to actually go into shops and want to get the stuff over the net.

I have been looking at net-a-porter today but i'm having trouble deciding what to get.
It is for spring racing carnival (and it is hot down here so nothing too warm), I have asked a milliner to make me a hat to start with and she said as long as I have my dress picked out by thursday she can make me something up in time. I am 5'6 and size US10/Uk14 has to be classic, beautiful and being the vain person that I am people have to ohhh ahh over my outfit,My limit would be about $1500 US per outfit (not including hat or shoes).Oh and I need 3 outfits all up.

Any help is much appreciated

 

[luluposh]

Do you have a colour in mind?

In the UK there are sometimes certain requirements for ladies attending races - in terms of the length of their dresses, that they HAVE to wear a dress, their shoulders must be covered etc. Those requirements are only for a limited few, but I've always noted that women tend not to wear very short dresses, and it is always quite a colourful affair.

Perhaps a nice shade of yellow? Knee length dress with kitten heels (or high heels if you are comfortable and won't be wandering far from the spectator's). You could pair it with a clutch + light silk shawl (which you do not need to use if it is too hot).

My friend once wore a white pants suit with a white hat and nude heels, it stood out amongst all the dresses and colour...

You could also opt for a longer skirt (below the knee, but not to your ankles) and pair it with a dressy top that compliments the skirt's colour - but not necessarily the same colour.

 

[Sea Of Love]

oh thank luluposh!
There aren't really any requirements regarding the colours although I know I want something a bit brighter or with some sport of print/pattern its just trying to find appropriate dresses at the minute, although I am open to ideas.

 

[fashionista-ta]

Except for the Kentucky Derby, we don't really do this kind of thing here ... maybe you can post some examples of looks people have actually worn that you like? And that would give us an idea ...

 

[luluposh]

One suggestion, perhaps google "ascot ladies" and see the images that come up? Might give you some ideas about colours/dresses/hats

I always find it a lot easier to look in stores on the high street for such dresses rather than online, but I had a browse on NAP...

Temperley - http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/64654
Splendid (basic, can be dressed up?) - http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/63339
Acne - http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/41928
T-Bags - http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/45712
Paul & Joe Sister - http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/45566
Tibi - http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/42219
Alice & Olivia - http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/42066
Theory - http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/42130

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ To me the typical Ascot look is rather middle-aged, and I know Sea of Love is young, so I was looking for her taste and what she feels is age-appropriate

 

[luluposh]

Ta-ta, true but these days a larger number of younger women attend too. It has become very "fashionable" within certain circles to attend races in the summer. Mind you, a lot of those ladies do also dress a bit older in style, but many are also incredibly colourful and creative when it comes to their hats.

 

[Sea Of Love]

Oh thanks for the replies ladies

Its really hard to get a good mix of being ladylike and still wearing clothes that suit me because I am only in my early 20's.
I think with racing, a lot of people go all out and dress in a very traditional way like the knee length dresses, big hats, sleeves, gloves etc. It sometimes looks a bit 1920's flapper-ish. I probably will lean more towards the older lady-like look to differentiate myself from the hoochies that go to the races for a piss-up and easy lay
Since I am Uk14/US10 i think has to be sort of erm flattering so maybe something a bit looser than really form fitting because i can't try it on.

outfits like this are popular:

Credit fashionnetworld.com

Credit: fabfrocks.blogspot.com

I was thinking perhaps something like this
http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/64654 like lulu suggested
http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/64549 a bit expensive but if I can find something similar at the shops tonight then fingers crossed.
http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/61787
I hate that all of the Chloe Dresses are so expensive or otherwise I would only wear Chloe

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I like the Lela Rose dress The Tibi looks very mother of the bride

 

[fashionista-ta]

netaporter

^ I take that back about the Tibi ... the shot of it alone gives that impression, but it's different on.

You mentioned a flapper look--I like this one ... do the sequins rule it out?

The Marc by Marc hot pink silk dress is cute ...

 

[fashionista-ta]

netaporter

 

[fashionista-ta]

netaporter

That last one's a bit more expensive, but some are quite a bit under budget, so I'm looking at the average

 

[fashionista-ta]

netaporter

 

[Aqua Tofana]

Funny, after reading the title of the thread I thought you meant Formula One and now all these dresses... hehe

 

[Sea Of Love]

^^^^ sorry, I am bad at creating titles.

Tata some of those dresses are fab!!! I really really like the last one.

I managed to get up to some of the boutiques here in Sydney and I found anice simple black dress that sort of has these ruffles from the waist down (I assure you its nice) and also got one that reminds me of something in the Valentio S/s 06 or 07, its the one where they all wore the infamous red headbands. Anyway in that collection was this sort of pastel floral style dress that finished just above the knees and the dress I bought is quite similar. So i have those two and the milliner is making me something up for them. The next race day is on in 3 weeks so I'm thinking of getting that Tibi green one from net-a-porter. I really liked the Lela Rose one but I think $3000AUD is nuts for a dress I will wear once. Ta-ta I though the Tibi one was ugly too until I saw it on someone, its not the best dress ever but its ok I think B).

I would take photos of the dresses but I let a friend borrow my SLR to take on Safari in Africa and she won't be back for 2 weeks, hopefully she won't have it stolen

I'm planning on getting into racing a bit more next year so I think I will have to start planning now what to wear to the Autumn races. Autumn races down here attract a more wintery look like the tweeds and browns and felt hats rather than sun hats so it will be fun dressing up for that too