Your perfect Ladies’ Day looks

Royal Ascot is once again upon us, and on Thursday, June 17 – the day of the oldest and most prestigious race, the Gold Cup – is the most glamorous event of the racing calendar: Ladies’ Day. 

However, due to the ongoing pandemic, numbers for this year’s event are very limited, and those who can make the Royal Meeting this year will undoubtedly turn up wearing the finest millinery possible, enjoying the height of summer in style.

That shouldn’t put a stop to your own celebrations of the racing calendar. As Royal Ascot is doing its best to make sure people can celebrate the event in style from the safety of their own home, our team at Fenn Wright Manson wants to help you do the same, getting you prepared for the next fashionable festival in your ever-more-busy calendar, whether it’s at the racecourse or not!

While most people might think that the hat’s where its at, this accessory simply compliments a well-thought-out dress. Here are some of our favourite looks for the summer season and beyond: outfits that will make you stand out from the crowd, whatever its size…

Make your mark

You deserve to make this summer a long, fun event to remember, and no colour, pattern or cut is off-limits – so long as you look and feel at your best, your confidence will shine through and you’ll be in your element. We can’t think of three dresses better at showcasing your inner and outer beauty than the Dorothee, Renee and Virginie – firm favourites at Fenn Wright Manson!

The Dorothee dress offers a golden-era, forever-chic Hollywood style. This black and white-spotted midi-length dress is created with spot chiffon, using a flattering shape with a fully pleated skirt for fluid movement, and fastens at the back of the neck with two buttons and a keyhole finish. Pair it with heels to turn heads in any social situation.

Meanwhile, bring spring into summer and beyond with our amazing colour block Renee Dress. With its vibrant colour crafted from a bespoke burnout fabric. The raspberry Renee dress is bias-cut to flatter the petite figure, with three-quarter-length, blouson sleeves and pretty covered buttons down the front for elegance. 

Finally, those looking for a petite but no less stylish option should check out our Virginie dress: a sure-fire chance to be the best-dressed guest on every special occasion. Crafted from a luxurious 100% silk, this piece is gently sculpted to compliment your hourglass shape. The sleeveless design uses a bespoke, hand-drawn botanical placement print from Fenn Wright Manson’s in-house designers, and the length sits just below the knee for an effortlessly elegant look.

Dress like a star

If you’re looking for elegance with a celebrity stamp of approval, look no further than our Kate, Charlotte and Lily dresses, all part of our Amanda Holden Collection. The Kate’s simple lines and cut don’t stop it from being a show-stopping outfit, perfect for high-end gatherings and summer parties alike. Crafted from pale blue corded lace, the Kate is cleverly designed with stretch lining and hand-crafted asymmetric ruching for a flattering fit, falling perfectly just below the knee.

Meanwhile, the Charlotte dress, designed from a luxurious burnout spot fabric using a gorgeous cornflower-blue hue, is cut in gentle tiers to offer a 70s-style midi-length dress that’s incredibly versatile without losing high glam; it can be dressed up with heels, or worn to more casual get-togethers with sandals. 

Finally, the Lily dress is the perfect way to brighten up anyone’s day, especially yours! Exuding summer essence, this gloriously feminine maxi dress uses a youthful polka dot print together with a flattering wrap front, soft shoulder pleating, and a full pleated skirt with a handkerchief hem for fluid movement. You can also cinch in your waist with the self-tie belt, or wear it as a necktie depending on your own style.

Break the mould

Just because most other people wear dresses doesn’t mean you have to. What better way to stand out in style than with a jumpsuit? Perfect for warm weather days – even if they transform into cooler evenings – our Shirley and Emilie jumpsuits combine glitz and glamour with comfort, practicality and the opportunity to accessorise.

Our Shirley jumpsuit is cleverly designed with a navy spot jacquard and a flattering waist tie, front and back pockets, plus small cap sleeves. To elongate and compliment your figure, the wide-leg trousers are cut to ankle length, giving you the opportunity to match them with all types of shoe, heel or sandal. Meanwhile, our petite Emilie jumpsuit, designed with our bespoke, hand-drawn poppy print offers a pretty, feminine look, with fluid heavy-weight sateen crepe, tapered legs, a V neckline, and side pockets. 

Finally, there are few combinations as elegant as the Ashley jacket combined with the Adele trouser, both crafted from a stretch cotton blend in a sumptuous mint hue. The single-breasted Ashley tailored blazer gives you a small puff sleeve, sharp collar and single-button detail, finishing at the top of the hip; the narrow, bootcut Adele trousers, which make your legs look longer and even more stunning, are finished with front and back pockets, a hook-and-bar fastening, and zip fly.

Don’t have a hat? Make your own!

Finally, you might be caught short for a hat at your next get-together, but there are ways and means around this – with a bit of time and craftiness, you could save yourself money, look stylish, and have a whole lot of fun by making your own.

This year, Ascot Racecourse has created a handy, fun guide to creating your own hat for the big day – a great little family activity that will give the men and boys top hats of their own, while the ladies and girls can have matching fascinator-style accessories that can match any outfit, especially with a little personal flair using colours and shapes. 

Get creative, have fun, and be your glamorous best this summer!