Royal Ascot 2015: The Craziest Hats

British hat fashion was on display at the annual Royal Ascot this week, an affair that was attended by Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family.

The Royal Ascot is an annual event at Ascot Racecourse, where thoroughbreds compete for over five days. The main event may be the horse racing, but the true stars are the hats.

“Royal Ascot rules are very strict – you must wear a hat or headpiece that is at least 10 cm wide. Your hat will be the most memorable part of your outfit, so try to make as much effort as possible,” Rachel Trevor-Morgan, a milliner who designs hats for Queen Elizabeth, told People.

The British are known for their extravagant hats, and attendees at the Royal Ascot did not miss the opportunity to show off their daring fashion choices. Jackie St Claire, a model and socialite who previously dated American Idol’s Simon Cowell, wore a giant butterfly hat when she attended Day 1 of the Royal Ascot.

St Claire’s butterfly hat worked well with the many flower-themed headpieces other women wore to the event, such as the one worn by fashion designer Isabell Kristensen pictured below.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.

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