It’s not just us plebs that get turned away in our dresses for the races.  In recent years even members of the royal family have been apprehended for their lax approach to dressing for the races.  And to find evidence of this we need look no further than Zara Phillips’ dress for the races she wore to one of the more scrupulous race meetings in terms of dress code- Royal Ascot- in 2008.  A black dress with red floral pattern, there was a huge slit running up to the top of Zara Phillips’ thigh- a dresses for the races no-no even for royalty. (Albeit it wasn’t as though Zara was going to be turned away from the royal enclosure; not with Queenie for a Grandma, and for the fact that she’s quite the horse woman!).

Royal Dress Disasters

While Zara might have the wherewithal to do what she likes, the daring shown by Zara doesn’t translate when it comes dresses for the races worn by other members of the royal family. Amongst dresses for the races that shocked attendees of Royal Ascot, was the Colette Dinnigan number worn by Princess Eugenie to Ascot in 2008.

A Gi-Gi-ant Dress Catastrophe

Since the fashion catastrophes of recent years witnessed at Royal Ascot, Ascot authorities have been at pains to redefine exactly what is meant by ‘formal day dress’ mentioned in the race meeting dress code mandate.   This was probably provoked by the huge number of dresses for the races that did not meet dress code guidelines.  Since the outbreak of inappropriate dresses for the races, authorities issued a new statement saying that for ladies ‘only formal day dress with a hat or substantial fascinator will be acceptable.  Off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch and/or miniskirts are considered unsuitable.’  In addition, ‘midriffs must be covered and trouser suits must be full length and of matching material and colour.’

2011 Dresses for the Races Forecast

2008 seemed a golden year for risqué dresses for the races.  But what will the dresses for the races forecast look like for 2011? We can’t wait to find out. (And secretly hope there will be a few faux pas as it keeps the whole event interesting!). But to avoid looking ‘interesting’ why not hire a designer dress from our site.  The dresses pictured are part of the designer dress hire collection specifically for the races.

Who needs dresses for the races when they can look jaw-droppingly fabulous in a jumpsuit?? That’s what GMD’s main stylist thinks.  Which is why, top of her dresses for the races list, is actually, not a dress, but this fantastic Halston Heritage Lilac jumpsuit.  A statement outfit for the races, flattering both slim and bigger frames, the jumpsuit is available in sizes 6-16. Hire from £129, instead of buying your own (that would cost a staggering £315!).

Outfit for the Races Accesories – GMD Stylist Picks

And let’s not forget, an outfit for the races needs to be properly accesorized! Top your outfit for the races off perfectly with these Blaguette Eleonora earrings(right) (buy them here from our designer dress hire website) and this Angel Jackson clutch (available to rent here with your outfit for the races too!).

Dresses for the Races- Nude Conquers All

Pale and interesting has never been hotter, and when said p&i object is a Soft Folds dress by Miu Miu the statement couldn’t be truer.  Go for bold in the accesory department and team one of the nicest nudest dresses for the races we have to offer with this black and white Elvira Sazesh bracelet and a Wilbur and Gussie Charlie clutch.

Grey Dresses for the Races-This Dark Horses of this Year’s Races Fashion Stakes

Grey dresses for the races are GMD stylist’s colour prediction for the races this year.  Temperley London’s divine stone grey Astrid dress will have you a cut above all other dresses for the races! Rent this silk dress with cut-out detailing for £129.  (Original RRP: £380).  Accesorize this outfit fit for the races with this Blaguette Queen of Sheba cuff and Blank London Pupa chain necklace.

Okay, so this time round you’re not the bride.  So, what to wear to a wedding as a guest you ask? Dress choices in this sphere of life leave very little room for manoeuvre.  Or at least that’s what you’ll be thinking if you’re in your ‘what to wear to a wedding as a guest’ crisis mode of thought.  You needn’t be. Because GMD is here to save you.

The Wedding Guest Dress-ed Best List

Introducing our first wedding guest dress, the gorgeously metallic Proenza Schouler Jacquard dress.   Rent this beauty of a dress for £289 (it’s RRP-tag is probably big enough to rival the bride’s gown: £1,536!).   As the lovely J-Lo says (we mean J-Lum or Joanna Lumley) ‘you don’t have to be posh to be privileged’. The same mantra applies to designer wedding dress outfits.

As we’d say, ‘you don’t have to be rich to rent the perfect wedding guest dress!’.  So, without further ado, meet dress number two.  This fabulous zebra print silk piece by Temperley London would make a divine wedding guest dress choice.   Rent the Shola dress for £169 (it’s RRP is usually £630).

This dress is the answer to any girl’s what to wear to a wedding as a guest prayers.  Meet the figure flattering, bishop sleeved patterned dress by 3.1 Phillip Lim.  Hire this designer wedding outfit for just  £89- comes with a knowingly satisfied grin you can attach to your face due to having not had to fork out the £693 the dress was originally being sold for.

Our ball gown dress lust list for this month looks something like this…Top of the ball gown hire lust list for events this month, is the alluring Aftershock Victoria Jane ball dress.  Rent it for just £69, a bargain when you consider it was originally worth £185.

Ball Dress Rental – Why Less is Just as Much

Why settle for the mediocre when you can hire a ball dress with chutzpah?  Waltz your way into luxury-dom in this delicious Melissa Odabash Diana ball gown (right). Rent the dress for £79 instead of shelling out a whole £325.  Converting that lust into a fully fledged dress love affair is now possible!

Ball Gown Hire Means Chic-er for Cheaper

Turn up the heat in this sizzling Señorita ball gown dress available to hire from the Ruth Tarvydas dress hire section.  With an original price-tag that lay more toward the prohibitively expensive side of things, (£600!) it’s one we’ll be renting pronto now that we can hire this ball dress for £79.

Head-to-Toe Sequins for Fewer Pennies

We have been well and truly seduced by the sequinned powers of this Aftershock Palais Maxi ball dress. Rent this gorgeous garment for just £99- no less sequins, only a sheering off of £300 pounds from it’s original cost.