Get a hat if you want to get ahead in the baby tribute race

As the jewel in the crown of the English summer season, Ladies’ Day has long presented the bold and the beautiful with an opportunity to make eye-catching statements, not just of the stylish and fashionable variety, but also as a commentary reflecting events and moods within British society.

This year saw the rise of the tribute hat, with race-goer Gabriele Dirvanauskas sporting a jaunty creation in the shape of a huge layer cake , decorated with a gold baby bottle, rattle and mini crown. There was also a striking headpiece with shooting aeroplanes in tribute to the Red Arrows, plus headgear honouring the Union Flag, bingo and cake.

This was also the year of the floral headdress, with exotic and opulent creations designed to match and enhance a floral print dress or add lush colour and sculptural impact to a one-colour outfit.

Leeds businesswoman Beverley Midgley-McDonald opted for a floral, leaf and feather headdress created for her to match her dress by Eleda Hats of Guiseley. Eleda’s owner Adele Woodrow said: “It’s all hand beaded and the bag is matching. We have sent more than 50 hats to Ascot this year. I am glad to say that they are going back to the full hat or big headdress, rather than little fascinators, which don’t seem to finish an outfit.”

Ms Woodrow, whose race hats range from £180 to £1,500, said she was most impressed by this year’s Ladies’ Day display at Royal Ascot, adding that she loved the sculptured creations and enjoyed the more outlandish headgear. “It makes people laugh and take notice, and that’s what it’s all about. A hat shows off your personality.”

Celebrity and royal hat wearers of note included Made in Chelsea’s Cheska Hull in a chocolate asymmetric piece, Princess Beatrice in a gold saucer, Mary Berry in an origami-style, baby blue pill box hat (only slightly reminiscent of an air hostess), and, of course, the Queen, who kept it simple and stylish in regal purple.