Expert advice will help you stand out from the crowd.
The Dubai World Cup is not just about horse racing. The event is a fashion extravaganza, with racegoers spending considerable time and effort perfecting attention-grabbing outfits.
This year's Dubai World Cup is sure to be an opulent display of the latest in style, with both men and women vying for the coveted BurJuman Style Stakes prizes.
It has become a major part of the Dubai World Cup, and makes the quest for the perfect outfit that little bit more significant.
For ladies, the centrepiece of the perfect outfit is a hat. Every year, hundreds of beautiful and sometimes bizarre creations are showcased during the event.
All about the hat
The right choice of hat can ensure that an ensemble has the 'wow' factor that racegoers are looking for.
Milliner Julie Anne Lucas says: "The best advice I can give to someone who wishes to stand out from the crowd is to choose a unique hat. You can wear a simple dress and make the look all about the hat."
Lucas, a Dubai-based milliner, has been designing hats for Dubai World Cup patrons for the past five years. According to her, this year, "Smaller hats are becoming more popular, as they are both elegant and easy to wear. Fascinators will be popular for ladies not wanting to wear a full hat.
"However, they will largely be replaced by cocktail shapes and 1920's style bands instead of 'feather dusters.'" Wide brim hats will still be popular however, and feathers will feature in some designs.
The look this year is 'feminine' according to Lucas, meaning that lighter materials such as crinoline will be a popular choice.
Once the perfect hat has been chosen, racegoers face the challenge of finding an equally amazing outfit to complement it.
According to fashion experts, this year, skirt suits, maxi dresses, belted dresses and bold prints and colours will all be key looks to choose from. The wide variety of options means that everyone will be able to find an outfit they are comfortable with.
The right choice of fabric will be important for those looking to achieve the 'romantic feminine' look that was prevalent on the Spring/Summer 2008 catwalks.
Micha Maatouk, buyer for Harvey Nichols, Dubai says: "Soft, flowy fabrics like silk, jersey, satin and chiffon will be prominent for the Dubai World Cup.
"Some key statement pieces will include elegant and summery floor length dresses, chic belt dresses and one-shoulder pieces."
Rowan Nicholls, general manager at Liz Claiborne, advises: "One of the key looks this Dubai World Cup will be the maxi dress — long, feminine, elegant, often with an empire waist and one that is flattering for many body shapes."
Safari look
Colour will be a big statement at this year's event. Bright block colours such as fuschia, yellow, aqua and green will be a popular choice, whilst on the other side of the spectrum, soft, pale pastels will feature. This season's key colour according to Catherine Herkes, fashion designer for Splash, is the purple palette, from lavender to violet, for both women's and men's wear.
To complete the outfit, accessories are imperative. Emma Pearcy, brand manager for Ted Baker advises that the right choice of accessories can ensure that your outfit stands out. "For the ladies this season, it's all about the clutch bag; a small but chic option which can hold all the essentials. Shawls and jewelled shrugs are great for the evening," she says.
Even though it's often overlooked, menswear is of equal importance at the Dubai World Cup. This year a key trend will be tweed from suits to sweaters and overcoats. For those who are looking for a unique look at this Dubai World Cup, Herkes advises men go for the 'safari' look.
"There is a new 'safari' trend coming through, and it is also influencing shirting in the way of epaulette detailing on and over used pockets and zips," she says.
"Zips are exaggerated and suits are teamed with drainpipe trousers and purposely mixed and matched for a unique style." When choosing the perfect outfit, it is important to ensure that you feel comfortable in what you are wearing.
Whilst most aim to stand out from the crowd on raceday, it is not advisable to wear something that you will feel uncomfortable in, no matter how great it looks.
Maatouk says: "The most important factor when considering an outfit for the races is comfort. There is no point spending the whole day keeping one hand on your hat, and the other adjusting your outfit. Also, keep in mind that the races are not an opportunity to wear something that you normally would not, like sky high heels."
