What do you get if you combine fabulous fashion, thrilling horse racing and champagne by the bucket-load? Ladies Day at York Racecourse of course. Lizzie Anderson reports.
We may be living in an era of austerity but you could be forgiven for forgetting this fact at the Ebor Fesitval Ladies Day today.
Thousands of women from across the UK descended for an afternoon of high fashion, nail-biting horse racing and a glass of bubbly or three.
The annual event is arguably the society event of the summer and this year proved no exception, with the stunning attire of the audience easily overshadowing the action on the racetrack.
Beautiful handcrafted fascinators and show-stopping hats adorned the heads of women of all ages, with many turning to independent designers to ensure their headpiece was unique.
The dresses were equally impressive. Vivid reds, midnight blues, pretty pastels, fabulous florals and sunshine yellows, the sun-soaked racecourse was a riot of colour.
The men, meanwhile, looked dashing in sharp suits, colourful shirts and stylish sunglasses.
Everywhere you looked, groups of elegant men and women could be seen sipping champagne, picnicking in the sunshine and cheering on the jockies.
Good friends Angela Firth, Dawn Storey, Pat Bleasby and Jane Borrowdale-Wilson, from Darlington, attend Ladies Day at York every year and love everything about the raceday experience.
Dressed to impress, the women started planning their outfits in April and treated themselves to first class train tickets to ensure they arrived in style.
"We have been looking forward to this for months," said Ms Firth. "It is a fabulous day out. We love the fashion and the whole atmosphere here is wonderful."
Georgina Cornelius and Nancy and Alice Robinson, all 23, also travelled from Darlington for a glamorous day out.
Darlington girls Nancy Robinson, Alice Robinson and Georgina Cornelius
Nancy Robinson said: "We are moving to Ohio in the US in a few months time so we are trying to do as many fun things we can this summer with our friends.
"We are having a lovely day."
Over in the Ebor Fashion Marquee, fashionittas battled it out for the prestigious title of best dressed woman.
In the end, 31-year-old Vicky Jenkinson from York was awarded the title after impressing judges with her classic Reiss dress and intricate head-piece by Irish designer Carol Kennelly.
Annemarie Leake, from Lincolnshire, was named best dressed mature woman.
The 54-year-old, who had just discovered she is a finalist in the UK Glamorous Grandmother contest, said she was thrilled to win the award.
"I would describe my style as a mixture if Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, with a little bit of Marilyn Monroe thrown in too," she added.
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