Designer A-Z 
Dresses for the Races-What Goes?
It’s not just us plebs that get turned away in our dresses for the races. In recent years even members of the royal family have been apprehended for their lax approach to dressing for the races. And to find evidence of this we need look no
further than Zara Phillips’ dress for the races she wore to one of the more scrupulous race meetings in terms of dress code- Royal Ascot- in 2008. A black dress with red floral pattern, there was a huge slit running up to the top of Zara Phillips’ thigh- a dresses for the races no-no even for royalty. (Albeit it wasn’t as though Zara was going to be turned away from the royal enclosure; not with Queenie for a Grandma, and for the fact that she’s quite the horse woman!).
Royal Dress Disasters
While Zara might have the wherewithal to do what she likes, the daring shown by Zara doesn’t translate when it comes dresses for the races worn by other members of the royal family. Amongst dresses for the races that shocked attendees of Royal Ascot, was the Colette Dinnigan number worn by Princess Eugenie to Ascot in 2008.
A Gi-Gi-ant Dress Catastrophe
Since the fashion catastrophes of recent years witnessed at Royal Ascot, Ascot authorities have been at pains to redefine exactly what is meant by ‘formal day dress’ mentioned in the race meeting dress code mandate. This was probably provoked by the huge number of dresses for the races that did not meet dress code guidelines. Since the outbreak of inappropriate dresses for the races, authorities issued a new statement saying that for ladies ‘only formal day dress with a hat or substantial fascinator
will be acceptable. Off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch and/or miniskirts are considered unsuitable.’ In addition, ‘midriffs must be covered and trouser suits must be full length and of matching material and colour.’
2011 Dresses for the Races Forecast
2008 seemed a golden year for risqué dresses for the races. But what will the dresses for the races forecast look like for 2011? We can’t wait to find out. (And secretly hope there will be a few faux pas as it keeps the whole event interesting!). But to avoid looking ‘interesting’ why not hire a designer dress from our site. The dresses pictured are part of the designer dress hire collection specifically for the races.
