Finding the best dresses for any formal occasion is already a whirlwind, but finding the best race day dresses for any upcoming race day proves even more of a difficult task. Not only do you want to look your best, but you may find you have to adhere to a particularly stringent dress code, which makes hunting for that perfect garment that much harder.
With the Royal Ascot well on its way (taking place 20 June this year) the pressure to find that perfect frock comes in thick and fast. Looking your best and making a statement is certainly mandatory, especially when the likes of The Princess of Wales (as pictured above at last year's Royal Ascot) are guaranteed to make an appearance. But the Ascot isn't the only event you need to consider what to wear for, there's Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National to name a few others.
For occasions such as these, illustrious maxi dresses are particularly popular when it comes to races, thanks to the often stringent dress codes. With high-end events comes high-class outfits, but here at Grazia we have found some of the best race day dresses on the market that will turn heads - whatever race day you attend.
From Rixo to Free People, there really is an array of retailers and brands to choose from, so finding the perfect race day dress won't pose itself as a difficult task for you to complete. Take a look at some of our top picks below.
Dressing for one of the more formal occasions you can attend is guaranteed to raise a few questions. What is appropriate and what is not is probably the first thing you ask yourself, no matter what dress you look at. Some race days have specific dress codes, for example, the Royal Ascot, which has specific regulations regarding the attire you wear, depending on which enclosure you are watching from. Read the Royal Ascot dress code below, according to their website.
Dress and skirts should fall just above the knee or longer.
Shoulder straps must have a minimum width of 1 inch.
Trouser suits are welcome and must be of matching material and colour.
Jumpsuits should fall below the knee.
Hats must be worn, however, a headpiece or hatinator with a minimum base diameter of 4 inches is also acceptable.
A dress or top and skirt, with shoulder or halter neck straps, is acceptable.
Trouser suits are too as long as they are matching material and colour.
Jumpsuits should fall below the knee.
A hat or headpiece should be worn.
A dress or top and skirt, with shoulder or halter neck straps similar to the Queen Anne Enclosure dress code.
Trouser suits are also acceptable, considering they are matching material and colour.
Jumpsuits that fall below the knee are appropriate.
A hat, headpiece OR fascinator can be worn.