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The Ladies Day of Royal Ascot may be six months away but during the dark nights, cold mornings and delayed trains you need something to look forward to, right?

To help you out, here is a handy guide on what styles will be on trend this summer and what clothes you should be looking to grab on discount in February.

Unsurprisingly, there is a strict dress code so that may be something to bear in mind whilst you’re out shopping for the big outfit. Dresses and skirts should always be of a modest length and should fall just below the knee, or longer if you wish.

Far from old fashioned, mid-length is the length of the season and many models have donned some beautiful designer calf skimming skirts on the catwalk including Stella McCartney and Dolce and Gabbana. Many high-street stores will style their summer-wear on that trend so keep your eyes peeled.

As well as ensuring the length of your dress or skirt is suitable, if you are buying a dress or top to pair with your skirt and it has straps, they must measure at least on inch and strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps are a complete no go.

Dresses and tops with cut-outs are also well worth avoiding as mid-riffs must be covered. Jackets and pashminas are permitted, so if you’re worried about that summer breeze you can match the perfect jacket to your outfit but don’t use this to cover the fact you’re not complying with the dress code as any tops worn underneath must still follow style guide.

If dresses and skirts aren’t your thing, then trouser suits are welcome. They must be of full length and matching in material and colour. Alexander McQueen have released a stunning salmon pink suit that adheres to the Royal Ascot dress code will certainly ensure that you impress all.

Whilst fascinators are not permitted, hats should be worn, however a headpiece which has a solid base of 4 inches or more in diameter is an acceptable alternative to a hat.

The hat is arguably the most important part of your outfit as it’s a statement piece so helps you to stand out from the crowd and it’s usually the thing people will remember about you, not your dress or shoes!

Choosing a hat can be a frustrating process but pick one that speaks for your personality and will allow you to exude confidence. Take plenty of time to fix your hat in place and don’t be afraid to go overboard on the hairspray and Kirby grips as you certainly won’t be the only one doing this.

You can also use your hair to hold your hat in place so be careful when choosing your hairstyle as it must work with your hat, a low messy bun pulled to the side is a popular option as it always looks good, it doesn’t interfere with your headpiece and will still look good if said headpiece is removed.

If you’re sporting the on-trend grey hair colour, then it may be time to think of a change as stylists predict so this will no longer in come the spring/summer season due to pastel colours slowly returning.

Now your outfit and hair is sorted, it’s time to think about make-up. On Ladies Day, the polished look is the one to go for, you can still look fabulous without heavy application. You can either choose your eyes or lips to make a statement and everything else should be kept minimal.

So choose a nice bold red for your lips and play everything else down, keeping it subtle and natural or go for a smoky eye and use a luscious nude on your lips. Be sure to line your lips before you apply any lipstick as this will help it to last longer, as will using a primer when applying your foundation.

Estee Lauder Double Wear is always a great choice as it’s oil free so there’s no shine and it lasts all day. If you have qualms about your make-up pasting use a setting spray to fix it in place, Urban Decay and MAC both carry excellent products for this and do their job remarkably well.

Now it’s time to focus on your nails. A classic yet timeless look is of course the French Manicure with white tips as this easily matches with any outfit. However, if you’re after something a bit more adventurous, the trend of a solid colour with a top coat of glitter has proved very popular in recent years.

Blues and greens are predicted to be in this summer so it may be time to get planning…

Finally, the last (and easiest) bit of prep you need is to research which Horse to pick to help you win on the day. All you need to do is check out the Horse Racing Tips of the day to make your day of fashion and fun profitable! There’s no fun like winning a flutter!