Top 13 Killer Racecourse Outfits

Horse racing events across the globe have brought out the adventurous side in many a spectator. Whether it be ladies day at the Aintree or Ascot racecourse, a regular day at the Kentucky Derby or at the Qinghai Yushu Horse Racing Festival in China – dressing up for the event in glamorous and often over-the-top dresses, hats and other fashion is a common ground shared internationally by all spectators of the sport. When this trend is embraced by some English royals it comes as no surprise that observing the spectators of the sport can be as interesting and rewarding as watching the event itself.

1. The Portable Shower

Jun 1996: Portrait of Mrs Ronald Shilling of Great Britain showing off her hat which looks like a shower during Royal Ascot week at Ascot racecourse in Ascot, England, \ Stu Forster/Allsport
Mrs Ronald Shilling of Great Britain showing off her hat which looks like a shower during Royal Ascot week at Ascot racecourse in Ascot, England.

 

2. The Tibetan Way

Jun 1996: Portrait of Mrs Ronald Shilling of Great Britain showing off her hat which looks like a shower during Royal Ascot week at Ascot racecourse in Ascot, England, \ Stu Forster/Allsport

A Tibetan woman dressed in traditional costume looks on during a dress rehearsal for the Qinghai Yushu Horse Racing Festival in Yushu County of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China.

3. The Picnic To Go

1989: Portrait of a Gertrude Shilling wearing, as always, one of her son's unusual creations during Royal Ascot at Ascot racecourse in Berkshire, England. \ Allsport UK /Allsport
Gertrude Shilling wearing, as always, one of her son's unusual creations during Royal Ascot at Ascot racecourse in Berkshire, England.

4. Head-Onistic Architecture

LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 05: George Hotler from Praire Village, Kansas is seen in the Paddock area wearing a hat in the shape of the famous spires during the 133rd Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2007 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

George Hotler from Praire Village, Kansas is seen in the Paddock area wearing a hat in the shape of the famous spires during the 133rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

5. The Lifetime Serviette

ASCOT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 20: A racegoer wearing a typical Ascot fashion hat attends on the first day of Royal Ascot 2006, at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2006 in Ascot, England. (Photo by MJ Kim/Getty Images)

A racegoer wearing a typical Ascot fashion hat attends on the first day of Royal Ascot 2006 at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England.

6. Paddy And The Princess

AINTREE - APRIL 4: Racegoers in fancy dress arrive at the course for Ladies Day at Aintree Racecourse on April 4, 2003 in Aintree, Liverpool. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Racegoers in fancy dress arrive at the course for Ladies Day at Aintree Racecourse in Aintree, Liverpool.

7. My Fair Lady

Ascot, UNITED KINGDOM: A woman dressed in a replica costume of the one worn by American actress Audry Hepburn in the film 'My Fair Lady' is pictured at 'Ladies Day' at Ascot racecourse in Surrey in south-east England, 22 June 2006. Extravagant hats and fancy dresses were out in force on Ladies' Day at the Royal Ascot races Thursday, the highlight of the prestigious five-day event and a must on the high-society calendar. (Photo by CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images)

A woman dressed in a replica costume of the one worn by American actress Audry Hepburn in the film 'My Fair Lady' is pictured at 'Ladies Day' at Ascot racecourse in Surrey in south-east England.

8. Red And Bubbly

Ascot, UNITED KINGDOM: A racegoer with a creative dress and hat sits at Ascot race course for the first day of Royal Ascot, in southern England, 19 June 2007. Horse racing has been held at the famous Berkshire course since 1711 and tradition is a hallmark of the meeting. Top hats and tails remain compulsory in parts of the course while a daily procession of horse-drawn carriages brings the Queen to the course. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

A racegoer with a creative dress and hat sits at Ascot race course for the first day of Royal Ascot, in southern England

9. A Touch Of Hawaii

DEL MAR, CA - JULY 20: A woman poses with her elaborate horse hat during Opening Day at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on July 20, 2005 in Del Mar, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
A woman poses with her elaborate horse hat during Opening Day at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on July 20, 2005 in Del Mar, California.

10. The Aussie Way

A man displays his hat while watching the Fashion  in the Field parade as punters wait for the running of the Melbourne Cup, in Melbourne 06 November 2007. The Melbourne Cup, with prize money of five million dollars (4.65 million US), is run over 3,200m and attracts the top horses from around the world. (Photo by WILLIAM West)
A man displays his hat while watching the Fashion in the Field parade as punters wait for the running of the Melbourne Cup, in Melbourne.

 

11. Styling

Louisville, UNITED STATES: Eric Williams from Chicago shows off his hat as he watches races 05 May 2007 t Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky for the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby.(Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Eric Williams from Chicago shows off his hat as he watches races at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky for the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby.

12. In The Mix

22 Jun 2000: Spectators show off their hats on Ladies Day during the Royal meeting at Ascot in England. Phil Cole /Allsport
Spectators show off their hats on Ladies Day during the Royal meeting at Ascot in England.

13. Horsing About

Liverpool, UNITED KINGDOM: Men in fancy dress horse costumes mingle amongst entrants in the Best Dressed Racegoer competition as they line up during the second day of the Grand National meeting at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, 07 April 2006. Friday is traditionally Ladies day at the three-day meeting. The world famous Grand National will be held 08 April over a course of four miles and four furlongs. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Men in fancy dress horse costumes mingle amongst entrants in the Best Dressed Racegoer competition as they line up during the second day of the Grand National meeting at Aintree Racecourse.