Founder of blog www.rocknrollbride.com, Kat Williams prides her site as a ‘little haven of kick ass weddingness’, aimed at promoting refreshingly different wedding ideas.  In addition, Kat, who got married herself to Gareth 2008, offers advice on all things nuptial, from catering to photography.  Here Kat chats dresses and her love for vintage, as well as naming the frock top of her GMD designer dress hire lust list.

Your first ever dress was: a lovely black number with flowers and a huge white collar. I was probably about 18 months. I rocked that look.

Your oldest dress: I have a number of vintage dresses in my wardrobe that I’ve collected over the years. The green one pictured came from a vintage wedding dress shop in Birmingham called The Wedding Club. I plan to have it shortened so I can wear it on nights out!

Your most expensive dress: My wedding dress!

Seen the most dancefloors: Oh I’m terrible…I buy so many dresses that I rarely wear one on a night out more than a few times! I have a number of black staples though that I always throw on if I’m feeling uninspired.

Favourite dress: Again, this changes often! I just bought a couple of black cotton mid length dresses from Uniqlo which are super comfy and flattering.

What was the last event you wore a dress to and what did you wear? I had a party in April and I wore this vintage polka-dot dress from Fur Coat No Knickers, a vintage shop in London. I wore it with a petticoat with a pink trim!

Mini or Maxi? Maxi

Who are your red carpet idols? Who always gets it right? Angelina can’t be beaten.

What is your most memorable dress moment? Probably getting married! As I got to the bottom of the aisle my soon to be husband squeezed my hand and whispered ‘you look awesome’

Which dress would be top of your Girl Meets Dress lust list? I love quite simple and flattering shapes that I can rock up with accessories, shoes and handbags! Dresses like this beaut (right) from Butter by Nadia would be perfect in my wardrobe (hint hint!)

As someone who always has a new event to attend – how would Girl Meets Dress complement your life?
I love borrowing dresses when I have an important event to go to. it means I dont have to spend a fortune on a dress I might only wear once. I can’t afford the designer price tags so the Girl Meets Dress online designer dress hire service is perfect for me!

Main photo: Alex MacNoughton.

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.

With June not long away, any girl ahead of the game this year will already be on the search for her outfit for the races.  What to wear to the races is one of the most trying dilemmas with which any girl can be confronted.

Avoid Unwanted Outfit for the Races Attention

Dresses for the races are highly scrutinized; every good and bad outfit for the races is afforded its own critique by fashion press and media at the event.   Put simply, the whole of our national press and fashion media jury takes what to wear to the races, and what you are wearing to the races very seriously.

Dresses for the Races in the Television & Press Firing Line

What’s more, their exacting fashion eyes don’t look solely upon dresses for the races worn by royalty and celebrities, but at those coveted by mere mortals too.  Those of you who have ever watched the races on television, and borne witness to the fashion criticism aired nationally will know what we mean.  For those of you who don’t, picture a girl whose outfit for the races she quite liked, unbeknownst to her, becomes centre stage for a whole host of fashion criticism.

An Outfit for the Races that Gets it Right – Don’t be a Fashion Victim

Just how excruciatingly humiliating the camera lens and commentators can make a day at the races for innocent members of the public  we can only imagine, as their outfit for the races is declared a fashion crime to the nation. And it is this kind of eventuality we seek to help you avoid with the following designer dresses. Hire them directly from us, and make sure your outfit for the races gets you talked about for all the right reasons come race day.