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With Royal Ascot unveiling its latest lookbook - and introducing 'bright tomato' as its colour of the year - the countdown to the summer racing season has officially begun. 

A highlight of the social calendar, Ascot is as much about fashion as it is sport, particularly on Ladies' Day, where bold colour, polished tailoring and statement dressing take centre stage. 

It's also a key date in the royal diary, with Catherine, Princess of Wales, Zara Tindall and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, often among the well-dressed attendees, setting the tone for elegant race day style. 

It's one of those rare occasions where fashion takes centre stage, and this season's direction is all about confident colour. 

I've scoured the high street for the best tomato red dresses, which guests are encouraged to wear on Ladies' Day.

If the vibrant hue isn't to your liking, you'll also find a curated edit of alternative dresses and smart co-ords from royal-approved brands, including Karen Millen, M&S and Boden.

Embrace Royal Ascot's colour of the year 

The guidelines are quite specific - covering everything from hem lengths and shoulder straps to hats and fascinators - and vary slightly depending on which enclosure you're attending. 

Styling a polished head-to-toe look can feel overwhelming, but there's an easy way to simplify the process. Start with your main piece - whether that's a dress, a jumpsuit, or a trouser suit. 

From there, either coordinate your accessories with a colour in the print or keep things classic with neutral tones, such as white or nude. 

While the Windsor Enclosure has no specific dress code, you'll find the full guidelines for the other enclosures below. 

Then, explore my edit of must-have race day outfits, featuring everything from M&S to Rixo and Rebecca Vallance. 

Royal Enclosure

• A dress or skirt falling just above the knee or longer
• Shoulder straps that are a minimum width of one inch (2.5cm)
• A jacket or pashmina may be worn - tops and dresses beneath must still comply
• A trouser suit of matching material and colour
• A jumpsuit that falls below the knee and complies with the shoulder strap requirements
• Hats must be worn. However, a headpiece or hatinator with a minimum base diameter of four inches (10cm) is acceptable

Queen Anne Enclosure

• A dress or top and skirt, with shoulder or halter neck straps (no minimum length)
• A trouser suit of matching material and colour
• A jumpsuit that falls below the knee and complies with the shoulder strap requirements
• A hat, headpiece or fascinator

Village Enclosure

• A dress or top and skirt, with shoulder or halter neck straps (no minimum length)
• Trouser suits are welcome and should be of matching material and colour
• Jumpsuits should fall below the knee and comply with the above strap requirements
• A hat, headpiece or fascinator

Shop more outfits for Royal Ascot

But while Ascot may be the highlight of the summer racing calendar, there are plenty of events in the lead-up where dressing the part still matters - just with a more practical edge. 

Kicking off the British social season, the Cheltenham Festival is a firm favourite among the Royal Family, with Zara Tindall, Princess Anne and Queen Camilla regularly in attendance.

I previously spoke to stylist Sarah Kate Byrne, who dresses horse racing presenter Francesca Cumani, and her advice still applies to race days in the meantime when the weather remains unpredictable.

Beyond Cheltenham, the spring racing calendar continues with fixtures at Newmarket, York and Epsom, offering plenty of opportunity to refine race day style ahead of the summer social season. 

'Dressing for spring races takes a little bit of thought given the time of year and the tendency towards inclement weather,' she says. 

'Practicality and functionality are key drivers when choosing outfits, but of course style still plays an important role.'

The overall aesthetic leans towards country chic. You'll likely spend plenty of time standing on grass, so sturdy footwear is essential - think block heels or chunky flat boots. 

Pair them with rich textures, such as wool, tweed or suede, to capture that quintessential countryside finish. 

It's also particularly beneficial to layer up with thermal tops, leggings or tights. Sarah recommends Uniqlo's HeatTech range, while I'm loyal to the thermals from M&S.

Outfit one

'As a stylist who tries to be as sustainable as possible, shopping your own wardrobe is always a great place to start,' Sarah notes.

'You might already own a fantastic dress and simply need a stylish top layer to elevate the look and add a little drama.'

With that in mind, I recently got my hands on Rixo's iconic Maddison shirt dress in a striking antelope print. It would look particularly chic styled with a chocolate brown Jigsaw coat and a Reiss fedora - one of this season's standout accessories. 

When it comes to footwear, Sarah says comfort should be a priority without compromising on style.

'A day at the Festival usually involves plenty of walking and standing, so it's important to choose a pair of shoes you'll feel comfortable in all day.'

A great example is the Regina boots from Fairfax & Favor, a favourite of Zara Tindall. I especially love the rich burgundy shade, which adds a sophisticated finish to any race day outfit.

Outfit two

Ever since Cat Deeley wore Reiss' olive green knitted dress on This Morning, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It looks exactly like something Catherine, Princess of Wales, would wear!

It's a great option for race day, particularly when styled with a cosy Hobbs coat and Kate's beloved Long Tassel boots from Penelope Chilvers. 

Bring the look together with a checked scarf by Toast and a pair of gold huggie earrings from Orelia for a polished final touch. 

Outfit three

Argyle prints are synonymous with the Royal Family, and this cardigan from John Lewis immediately caught my eye thanks to its striking cobalt hue. 

I've styled it with Boden's must-have Valentina skirt, which features elegant knife pleats that create soft, fluid movement. 

Of course, I couldn't resist tapping into the burgundy trend - a shade loved by Catherine, Princess of Wales, Zara Tindall and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. 

This double-breasted coat from John Lewis is a steal at £99 and looks flawless styled with a coordinating H&M headband. 

For a final flourish, opt for dainty pearl earrings from royal-approved jewellery brand Monica Vinader. 

Outfit four

'Cheltenham is synonymous with tweed,' Sarah says, 'and for very good reason - the course can be bitterly cold.

'A trouser suit will turn into a lifetime investment piece while serving up a suitably natty race day look that can work for the office too.'

I have fallen head over heels for this sequin-embellished two-piece from Maje. 

The cropped jacket is beautifully balanced by the wide-leg trousers, while the rich shade is flattering on all complexions. 

I would keep the styling simple with a roll neck and classic loafers from M&S, finishing the look with statement earrings from Sita Nevado, available at Wolf & Badger.

And of course, no race-day outfit would be complete without a Mayfair bag from Aspinal of London - a favourite of royals and celebrities alike. 

Outfit five 

I've discovered a stunning suede skirt suit at Jaeger, which would team perfectly with Boden's embroidered denim shirt. 

When it comes to accessories, Sarah advises racegoers to 'choose a bag that is functional, not just stylish, so you can easily juggle race card, champagne and phone.' 

It's sound advice - and the elegant Windsor bag from Fairfax & Favor would be ideal for the occasion. Pair it with White Stuff's Izzy boots for a simple throw-on-and-go finishing touch.

Outfit six

I love the idea of elevating a classic tailored look with unexpected accessories. 

Take these sleek trousers from Boden and this tie-neck blouse from Next, for example. 

I've added a pop of red with a chunky cardigan from John Lewis and echoed the shade with a pair of striking cowboy boots from Penelope Chilvers.

It's easy to see why this footwear label is a favourite among so many royal women - their latest collection is seriously impressive.