Don't rain on our parade! Racegoers defy the rain and pull out all the sartorial stops at Chester Ladies' Day (but how low can they go?)
- Racegoers have begun arriving for Ladies' Day at the Boodles May Festival in Chester
- Despite the wet weather, ladies appeared determined to uphold Cheshire's reputation for glamour
- Many opted for fitted dresses in bright hues, as well as more summery shades such as coral
- Highlights on the racecourse include the IG Handicap and the Betfair Huxley Stakes
The rain might have been falling and a chill breeze blowing in off the Irish Sea but that wasn't enough to prevent racegoers from pulling out all the sartorial stops as Ladies' Day at Chester got underway.
Sheltering under umbrellas but looking lovely in their colourful dresses, the ladies arriving for the second day of the Boodles May Festival certainly lived up to Cheshire's reputation for high octane glamour.
Jumpsuits were a popular choice and offered some respite from the wind, while others topped their colourful lace dresses with on-trend trench coats and kept their legs warm with Duchess of Cambridge-style nude tights.
Looking lovely: Ladies defied the weather and came dressed in their best as the second day of the Boodles May Festival got underway
Glamorous: The ladies arriving for the races appeared intent on upholding Cheshire's long-standing reputation for glamour
Now that's accessorising! One pair of racegoers came prepared with an umbrella that coordinated perfectly with their ensembles
Super stylish: Ladies look wonderful in (left to right) a white trouser suit, an on-trend yellow skirt and a chic navy blazer and white dress
Wonderful: A pair of ladies show off their fabulously large and colourful hats as they arrive for their day out at the races
Cocktail class: Delicate cocktail hats were a big hit with racegoers and are now seen almost as frequently as fascinators
Brrr! While most were happy to tough out the bad weather, for some, the drizzle and the gales proved uncomfortable
Colour pop: Fiery shades of orange and red are a huge summer 2015 trend and the ladies arriving had taken full advantage
One lady pulled off a particularly striking ensemble of a buttercup yellow dress and cobalt pashmina, the sunny hue of her dress helping to brighten up the racecourse and defy the miserable weather.
Others picked outfits in more subtle hues, with nude - a trend already seen this year at Aintree and Cheltenham - and delicate pale pink proving a hit with racegoers once again.
Later, when the rain cleared up, coats were removed and umbrellas put away - allowing the ladies to show off their dresses and unveil some spectacular hats.
While the colourfully dressed racegoers certainly caught the eye, the real action is set to happen in the parade ring with prizes of up to £60,000 on offer for the winners of today's races.
Glamour girls: All white was another popular choice among racegoers, as was the trusty black and white combination
Gorgeous: A lady shows off her absolutely spectacular hat which came complete with a bouquet of silk flowers stitched inside it
Large and small: A whole range of hats were on display, with racegoers opting for a mixture of bread brims and tiny titfers
Bold brights: Summery shades such as cobalt, coral and sky blue proved as popular at Chester as they did at Aintree and Cheltenham
Sheltering in style: A lady arrives in a gorgeous sunshine yellow dress, while another keeps her pretty print dress dry under a cream coat
Leading the style stakes: Ladies (left to right) plump for sunny yellow, chic black and white and elegant navy blue ensembles
The action kicks off with the IG Handicap Stakes, which has a £25,000 prize waiting for the winner - likely to be seven-year-old Irish gelding Tres Coronas according to bookmakers.
Other highlights include the second race of the day, the Betfair Huxley Stakes which will see Air Pilot step out as the favourite, although the gelding is likely to have stiff competition from rival Windhoek, and the Boodles Diamond Handicap.
Regardless of who wins, the ladies on the sidelines will at least have a sheltered spot from which to watch the action - the historic course boasts a brand new champagne bar, which opened its doors for the first time yesterday.
Day one also saw the bar welcome its first celebrity guests, with racing fan and former Liverpool footballer Michael Owen among the guests, as was the glamorous model and actress Charlotte Dawson.
Miss Dawson, 22, was clearly undeterred by the rain and returned for a second day of racing action, looking wonderful in a daring gold dress and matching cocktail hat.
Going for gold: Model Charlotte Dawson wowed racegoers for the second day and looked fabulous in a floor-length gold dress
Enjoying themselves: A trio of well-dressed ladies arrive to begin their day out at the races
On trend: A lady looks wonderful in a pair of on-trend cream culottes, while others opt for traditional, but no less pretty, dresses
Well wrapped up: A racegoer offers a masterclass in covering up and keeping warm in style
Summer dressing: Many ladies opted for Ascot style staples such as elegant floral print and classic black and white
Girls day out: A group of stylishly dressed friends make the most of a sunny interlude during their day out in Chester
Dressed to thrill: Ladies show off their style as they arrive for the second day of racing in Chester
Bright and beautiful: Racegoers were a welcome splash of colour on a drizzly day as they arrived at Chester Racecourse
Staying dry: Many were forced to take shelter beneath their umbrellas as they queued to get in
Still cheerful: The wet weather may have required a few outfit alterations but it certainly didn't dampen spirits among racegoers
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