Ladies first

Ladies first

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The Epsom Derby Festival in the south of England boasts that it features “the greatest flat race in the world,” but for some it is just as much about style and status as it is about sport.

The first day of the two-day horse racing festival is designated “Ladies’ Day,” and many race-goers come to show off elegant dresses and an array of beautiful – and often bizarre – headwear.

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Slideshow

A race-goer in a blue suit and tie reads a racing newspaper ahead of the sport on Ladies' Day.
. EPSOM, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

A race-goer in a blue suit and tie reads a racing newspaper ahead of the sport on Ladies' Day.

A woman attends the event where a strict, formal dress code is applied to those who buy the most expensive tickets.
. EPSOM, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

A woman attends the event where a strict, formal dress code is applied to those who buy the most expensive tickets.

Race-goer Rachel Hanson poses in her hat on Ladies' Day.
. EPSOM, United Kingdom. Reuters/Stefan Wermuth

Race-goer Rachel Hanson poses in her hat on Ladies' Day.

Holly Coleman arrives to watch the racing.
. EPSOM, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

Holly Coleman arrives to watch the racing.

Lauren Mattey poses in her headgear
. EPSOM, United Kingdom. Reuters/Stefan Wermuth

Lauren Mattey poses in her headgear

Jane Smith shows off her elaborate white hat.
. EPSOM, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

Jane Smith shows off her elaborate white hat.

Eight-year-old April Bates poses for a picture.
. EPSOM, United Kingdom. Reuters/Stefan Wermuth

Eight-year-old April Bates poses for a picture.

An attendee decorates a vintage, double-decker bus with Union Jack bunting.
. London, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Andrew Winning

An attendee decorates a vintage, double-decker bus with Union Jack bunting.

A man watches the racing through a pair of binoculars.
. EPSOM, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

A man watches the racing through a pair of binoculars.

Jockey Frankie Dettori, riding a horse named Beatrice Aurore, prepares for the Princess Elizabeth Stakes during the Epsom Derby.
. EPSOM, United Kingdom. Reuters/Stefan Wermuth

Jockey Frankie Dettori, riding a horse named Beatrice Aurore, prepares for the Princess Elizabeth Stakes during the Epsom Derby.