Umbrellas went up as the clouds burst over the Berkshire racecoursebut racegoers' vibrant outfits provided the splash of colour neededto brighten up the grey day. The new dress code meant more thought had to go into outfits thisLadies' Day, always a highlight of the social season. Headpieces, hats or fascinators must be worn in the grandstand area- with hats mandatory in the royal enclosure. Bare shoulders are also a no-no, midriffs must be covered anddresses and skirts have to be of a "modest" length. Men must also wear a shirt and tie in the grandstand.
A team of dress code assistants are on hand to give outfascinators, pashmina-style shawls and ties to those not quitecoming up to scratch. Guide dog Zoey, a four-year-old black Labrador, had been kitted outin a purple, yellow and green hat by owners David and Judith Adamsfrom Warwickshire, to make sure she passed muster. They were also wearing the colours of Kauto Star, owned by theirfriend Clive Smith, as ribbons on their outfits. Mr Adams, who borrowed the hat from a friend who wore it at Windsorracecourse on Monday, said: "We'd been reading about thefashion police and these rules and regulations, and thought: 'Oh mygoodness, we'd better comply'. "Because she's wearing the harness, both her crown andshoulders are covered." But one racegoer had her bubble burst when she was told her red,white and blue balloon creation was classed as a "noveltyhat" - and therefore not acceptable.
A dress code assistant approached Natalie Haverstock, a balloonartist who works under the name Miss Ballooniverse, and took her toone side after she put the balloon hat on inside the grounds. She was also wearing a miniature blue bowler hat headpiece asstipulated by officials, but was told she had to take the balloonsoff. Ms Haverstock, who also wore a Union Jack dress and shoes, told thewoman: "I'm wearing a hat." But the dress code assistant, who had been patrolling the groundslooking for those flaunting the fashion regulations, told herfirmly: "It's definitely a novelty hat." Ms Haverstock, from Canary Wharf, London, was ushered off thepremises by a security guard when she tried to pose for photographsjust outside the gates. She said: "I thought I could bend the rules, but no such luck. "This is the fourth year I've worn one of my creations toLadies' Day - and the first time I've been told to take it off.
"I knew there were new rules in place, but I'm a balloonartist and this is my creativity, and I'm being told it's notwelcome. "Usually the staff take pictures of me themselves. "I think they've taken it too far." Asked what she would do with her balloon hat, she replied:"I've got to check it into the cloakroom - but it's quiterobust so it should be all right." A group of five friends wearing hats on the theme of Britishnesswere luckier however and got past the so-called fashion police, whowere distinctly dressed in purple suits, with no problems. The dress code assistant who had spoken to Ms Haverstock said theywere not classed as novelty hats.
She added: "They're quite clearly eccentric and we supportBritish eccentricity." Milliner Jayne Elwell, from Sedgwick, who created the teapot,stamp, fried breakfast, afternoon tea and crown-shaped hats, said:"This is such a big year for Britain so we wanted to go for apatriotic theme. "We decided to reflect different aspects of Britain as acelebration of our culture. "I do like the new dress rules. "Last year I really noticed a difference in standards.
"People weren't dressed respectfully. "It's nice to dress up for Royal Ascot." Celebrities were out in force, including veteran entertainer SirBruce Forsyth, former Olympic champion Steve Redgrave, fashiondesigner Ozwald Boateng and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes. Fellowes said: "It's rather typical Ladies' Day weather. "But I like the fact everyone dresses up, right through thewhole race track." Mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins braved the rain showers to pose forphotographers in a sleeveless, floral metallic dress by RichardNicholl and a grey hat by Philip Treacy.
The Welsh singer, who was presenting one of the prizes today, said:"I think it's such a lovely occasion to dress up and go forthe glamour. "I love seeing everyone's dresses. "This is my first time here and I love seeing what everyone iswearing." Asked by a fan if she was going to sing, she replied: "No -it's a day off with my mum and my sister." Other hats on display included one in the shape of a giant loveheart bearing the words "fine filly", worn by 30-year-oldBlanche Richards from east London, and eight headpieces in theshape of musical notes that had been designed by Adrienne Henryfrom Reading, Berkshire, and worn by her friends and family. A particularly artistic creation was worn by Carla Creegan fromLiverpool.
The hat, at three feet tall and three feet wide, wasbased on a print by artist Louise Dear and made by milliner HayleyMarsden, also from Liverpool, after being commissioned by CastleGalleries. Ms Dear, from Totnes, Devon, said: "My paintings are all veryfeminine and a celebration of life - and it's great to see one ofthem bought to life as a hat." PA.
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