HELP! What do I wear to a corporate day 'At The Races'??

[harrietlichman]

DH has been invited to a day out at the races, with champagne breakfast and a meal included in the event. It will be the first time I meet his boss/colleagues etc and I have no idea what to wear!!? I have never been to races and only seen TV covered ones such as Royal Ascot, but I don't want to turn up decked out like the Queen if it is more casual. If anyone has been or has any suggestions for me, I will be very, very grateful - it is two weeks away and I am stressed about it already! Thanks in advance.

I love the races! I usually would wear a nice frock, no hat unless specified. Not too dressy but nice and smart with decent shoes and jewellery. Quite a few would turn up in office suits (women that is).

Have you got a nice knee length summery dress that you can pop a cardi over? If you're a size 10/12 I have just the thing (rummages in back of wardrobe for pre-kids clothes).

Hi! Thanks for your quick reply - I have been dreading it and knew MN would come up trumps! I am a size 10. So definitely no hat? I am glad to hear that, as really can't afford to go hat shopping right now...will have a look and see what I can get away with - I will post some pics of dresses I have when I get home and if anyone wants to give me views on them that would be great...

Definitely a dress - something plain in design like a shift would be perfect. Structured cardi / casual jacket which you can whip off if you feel overdone. I like to be over rather than underdressed so I'd also wear a piece of big jewellery. Here is my wish list if I were you (and had some spare cash).

This is v plain and simple - looks elegant and classy. Could be v jazzed up with, say, bright neon shoes/bag - shift dress

Big jewellery - like this

Enjoy the day, I've been to these things before and they are good fun.

I wouldn't bother with a hat, tho do check the race course website for dress code (a few of the enclosures insist on hat and also have certain requirements for covered shoulders / length of dress).

Wear wedge heeled shoes, then you won't sink into the grass

Love the suggestions so far - Ok, so I don't need to panic so much - I think I can rustle something up along the lines you have suggested...I hope I do enjoy it, and also have a win or two! Many thanks!

When are you going?

I have this in a 12. Trust me - I wont get a chance to wear it again and it really only was worn the once. You are free to borrow it.

Its just too darned pretty to sit in the wardrobe!

(I do realise that its not everyone's taste!)

That dress is gorgeous NN and so perfect for this time of year when it could be grey / cool, so you can feel a bit silly wearing something very pale / floaty.

I bought it for a school prize giving so it was worn for about 4 hours. I'm not very dressy-dressy and dont work anymore in places where you have to wear a suit or dress up (jeans and converse are the usual wear!).

How fantastic is MN?? Thanks so much nn, it is beautiful, and you are a life saver!

Ok. Its in a jiffy, it has stamps! If you PM an address I can get it out to you. I'll just pop it the boot so I can send it on over the next few days (there are post boxes in 'the wilds!'.

I think the fit will be fine if you're a 10. Its a 12 and I am generally a 10 but get larger to ensure boobage coverage!

I love the races! Remember your cash for the Tote.

nicename, you are amazing - have pm'd you. Thanks an absolute million!

Yay. Harriet, enjoy. Put a fiver on for me!