Slideshow: Flowers, Booze, Food, and More Headwear From the Royal Ascot Races
Photo: from left: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images, Ben Pruchnie/FilmMagic, Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images, Ben Pruchnie/FilmMagic
The Royal Ascot always doubles as Britain’s crazy hat festival, and this year — even with a new dress code in place — was no different. Two major trends emerged from headgear at the races: food fascinators (including a full English breakfast) and Olympic-themed pieces (who wouldn’t want to walk around with a giant torch on her head?). And, of course, the queen made a few appearances in a range of pastel suits with matching toppers. See these looks and the other getups that made it past the fashion police in our slideshow.
Soldiers! With flags! And butterflies! On a half-flag, half-flower! Luckily, she managed to find the only accessory that could really stand up to...
Soldiers! With flags! And butterflies! On a half-flag, half-flower! Luckily, she managed to find the only accessory that could really stand up to that: an Elmo-skin shrug.
Photo: Samir Hussein/2012 Samir Hussein
Sophie Hyatt It's smart to travel with a backup purse record in case your hat record goes haywire.
Photo: Ben Pruchnie/2012 FilmMagic
Lara Stone Lara Stone made an appearance in a rather baglike dress and a lovely sculptural hat. She looks like a pretty sailboat!
Photo: Eamonn ...
Lara Stone Lara Stone made an appearance in a rather baglike dress and a lovely sculptural hat. She looks like a pretty sailboat!
Photo: Eamonn McCormack/2012 Getty Images
The Prince and Princess Michael of Kent Speaking of sails, this hat is trying so hard to fly away but it just ... can't ... make it.
Photo: Indi...
The Prince and Princess Michael of Kent Speaking of sails, this hat is trying so hard to fly away but it just ... can't ... make it.
Photo: Indigo/2012 Indigo
According to the Urban Dictionary, fine filly could refer to a "stylish young woman" or "13 to 30-year-old female fans of the 2010 rebo...
According to the Urban Dictionary, fine filly could refer to a "stylish young woman" or "13 to 30-year-old female fans of the 2010 reboot of the show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Similar to, but not to be confused with "brony" (bro+pony) which is more often used for the male equivalent."
We're thinking the latter. Photo: Nick Harvey/2012 Nick Harvey
Apparently, the price of snacks at these races has gotten so high that people have resorted to sneaking in their own food. Remind us to wear that cup ...
Apparently, the price of snacks at these races has gotten so high that people have resorted to sneaking in their own food. Remind us to wear that cup of Tasti D-Lite on our heads the next time we go to the movies instead of trying to hide it in our purses.
Photo: Samir Hussein/2012 Samir Hussein
What goes best with a fur stole? A full English breakfast. Photo: Ben Pruchnie/2012 Getty Images
The next best thing to standing in line next to the hat buffet? Standing next to this lady's mini World Cup soccer game ... especially if there's an i...
The next best thing to standing in line next to the hat buffet? Standing next to this lady's mini World Cup soccer game ... especially if there's an itty bitty David Beckham in the match.
Photo: Eamonn McCormack/2012 Getty Images
Gotta love a lady who brings Champagne on ice, but how are you supposed to drink that?
Photo: Eamonn McCormack/2012 Getty Images
Trudy Mylam Oh, she's got us covered.
Photo: Nick Harvey/2012 Nick Harvey
We knew those balloon-making classes wouldn't completely go to waste.
Photo: Samir Hussein/2012 Samir Hussein
The hat's impressive, but the nail art steals the show.
Photo: Eamonn McCormack/2012 Getty Images
Anna Dello Russo is jealous.
Photo: Ben Pruchnie/2012 Getty Images
He's all ready for the polka-dot masquerade after-party.
Photo: Alan Crowhurst/2012 Getty Images
Larisa Katz Either this woman is like those guys that magically appear outside every subway station to sell you an overpriced umbrella when it ra...
Larisa Katz Either this woman is like those guys that magically appear outside every subway station to sell you an overpriced umbrella when it rains, or she's just rubbing it in everyone's face that she came prepared for the drizzle.
Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/2012 Getty Images
Caroline Sieber As a stylist, Caroline Sieber really knows how to make most things look good. Sure, the hat looks a bit like a deflated feather d...
Caroline Sieber As a stylist, Caroline Sieber really knows how to make most things look good. Sure, the hat looks a bit like a deflated feather duster, but the dress is pretty, and compared to her neighbors, it's quite tasteful. Photo: Ben Pruchnie/2012 Getty Images
This is straight out of the Kardashian Kollection's Royal Ascot line. Photo: Danny Martindale/2012 Getty Images
Sometimes the next best thing to being on vacation is sprouting some green tiger-striped feathers from your head and dressing like a tree.
Photo: Sam...
Sometimes the next best thing to being on vacation is sprouting some green tiger-striped feathers from your head and dressing like a tree.
Photo: Samir Hussein/2012 Samir Hussein
Jackie St. Clair Points for handling that lawn in stilettos.
Photo: Samir Hussein/2012 Samir Hussein
This will hopefully get a lot of wear this summer.
Photo: Samir Hussein/2012 Samir Hussein
Wearing this hat should be an Olympic event unto itself.
Photo: Eamonn McCormack/2012 Getty Images
Yes, those are flowers molded into Olympic rings and stuck to a sequined British flag.
The Monopoly man after a bender.
Photo: Samir Hussein/2012 Samir Hussein
Princess Beatrice Lesson learned: A driving cap with a flower blooming off the side is much less controversial than a vertical pink bow.
Photo: ...
Princess Beatrice Lesson learned: A driving cap with a flower blooming off the side is much less controversial than a vertical pink bow.
Photo: Ben Pruchnie/2012 FilmMagic
Who knows why the caged bird ... wears that?
Photo: Ben Pruchnie/2012 Getty Images
She looks like she could really use that drink.
Photo: Eamonn McCormack/2012 Getty Images
The queen! You've got to admire a lady who sticks to her sartorial guns. She was a regular at the races this year in a range of pastel coats and ...
The queen! You've got to admire a lady who sticks to her sartorial guns. She was a regular at the races this year in a range of pastel coats and matching hats. She looks like a delicious box of Easter macarons!
Anyone can match a hat to a dress, but it takes a real pioneer to match a hat to a bustle.
Photo: Ben Pruchnie/2012 Getty Images
Tracy Rose The guy in the back is so glad he wore sunglasses.
Photo: Ben Pruchnie/2012 Getty Images
Starring on the next season of Britain's Got Talent, a woman and her tiny piano-playing dove!
Photo: Samir Hussein/2012 Samir Hussein
Jackie St. Clair The great thing about this hat is you don't need to worry about storing it in tissue paper.
Photo: Ben Pruchnie/2012 Getty Images
This is what happens when an ostrich gets loose in the peony patch.
Photo: Ben Pruchnie/2012 Getty Images
Princess Anne's purple rose could use a drink.
Photo: Indigo/2012 Indigo
A face-framing pearl necklace: Who would have thought?
Photo: Ben Pruchnie/2012 Getty Images
Carole Middleton She and Kate apparently share shoe closets.
Photo: Indigo/2012 Indigo
We know you were worried there weren't going to be any stuffed birds. This guy and his stuffed parakeet are so last year.
Photo: Anwar Hussein/2012 A...
We know you were worried there weren't going to be any stuffed birds. This guy and his stuffed parakeet are so last year.
Photo: Anwar Hussein/2012 Anwar Hussein
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