What to wear to The Races?

[aftereight]

Need a suitable dress for York races in July. It will be a corporate event, so need to look decent, and the blurb says "The informal party highlight of the year combines betting excitement and summer fun", so nothing too formal.

I'm 5'2", size 12, pale, ok legs for knee length but no shorter. Am thinking maybe a 50s style dress and wedges? What as a cover up? Accessories?

Any help gratefully received!

Always seems to be windy at a race-course, so if you are going fifties style, how about a cropped bolero-style jacket?

Wedges or flats are a much better idea than heels.

AmeliaP - you have to pay to advertise on MN y'know? .

Aftereight.
It is quite a long day so don't sacrifice comfort totally. Low wedges are a good idea. Nothing to fussy because you will ideally be moving around the course - to the paddock, then the grandstand, then for food etc.

Women with lots of bits and bobs look fussy and silly IMHO. I take a light jacket and a small bag for sunglasses, purse, lipstick. Then the worst I have to fret about is my jacket if it's hot. If you have a table/cloakroom that makes it easier.

I live in York and can tell you that the Racecourse can be very windy and chilly so I would reccommend some sort of cover up. Always lots of boleros or cropped jackets to be seen. I will also whisper the word pashmina. On the other hand if it happens to be a hot day it can be very hot there! There is always a shortage of somewhere to sit so comfortable shoes are essential. Take your shades unless you want to squint all day. You will probably have to cross the track to get from the hospitality tents to the 'racing' bit so if you want to see any of the actual races (and not everyone does!) you need to be prepared to walk on grass so spiky heels no so good. You do need to think about where you are arriving in York in relation to the Racecouse as again you may have to walk a way...just depends. The July meeting is not the most 'formal', especially if you go on the Saturday (this is when a lot of locals go). I think a 50s dress would be lovely. There are usually a lot of fashion disasters there and so many look like they are going to a nightclub (pencil skirts, strapless, mega heels). Anyone wearing a nice day dress or outfit tends to stand out as looking good. I hope you have a great day in our beautiful City.
I'm happy to try to help with any more detailed ?s if I can.

Thanks for the tips re it being windy, hadn't thought of that!
Found thanks for the reminder - have just remembered that I have a bolero style cream cardi somewhere..
Pagwatch agree about bits and bobs and fussiness, and thanks for the tip off about comfy shoes.
Dorothy you are SO lucky to live in York :) Thanks for the tips about the racecourse and the need to walk lots. Made me laugh about the club-esque slappers fashion disasters, a la Aintree :o will definitely aim for the sophisticated end of the spectrum!

So, off to find a dress...(any excuse :o). Great site thanks AmeliaP

NOT a fascinator

:o @ cyb

Glad I could be of help aftereight. And BunnyLebowski -it wasn't meant to be advertising, just thought they had some nice solutions.
Anyway hope you end up finding something :)

This appears to be a how not to dress for the races

rather cardigan than bolero

I would warn against 50's style dresses when it's windy - wore one other day with very full skirt, net underskirt etc, spent whole day trying to stop skirt flying up!

Failing that, wear nice knickers.