Ascot fashion: A century of elegance

Countess Wedell and the Earl of Portarlington parade around a serene-looking Ascot in 1910 Photograph: PA/PA Archive Photograph: PA/guardian.co.uk Mrs Ashton Harrison, who does not look a woman to be trifled with, also in 1910 Photograph: PA/PA Archive Photograph: PA/guardian.co.uk On the eve of the first world war , the Honourable Mrs Dillon (right) and her companions attend the races. A glimpse of the end of an era Photograph: PA/PA Archive Photograph: PA/guardian.co.uk Lord and Lady Dunedin arrive at Royal Ascot in 1927 . Lady Dunedin proves that whites aren't just for Wimbledon Photograph: Barratts/S&G and Barratts Photograph: Barratts/guardian.co.uk A charming organza dress with hat and crocheted gloves at Ascot in 1933 Photograph: PA/PA Archive Photograph: PA/guardian.co.uk Elizabeth Shelley shows off her outfit at Ascot in 1948 Photograph: Barratts/S&G and Barratts Photograph: Barratts/guardian.co.uk Lady Docker and her husband Sir Bernard Docker in an altogether more formal get-up in 1955 Photograph: PA/PA Archive Photograph: PA/guardian.co.uk No prizes for guessing the decade here. Loretta Durr wears a yellow Carlottes minidress with a white ostrich boa in 1967 Photograph: Sport and General/S&G and Barratts Photograph: Sport and General/guardian.co.uk Tandy Cronin wears a fabulous flower-covered outfit at Ascot in 1968 Photograph: Alamy Photograph: guardian.co.uk In 1971 the Duke of Norfolk decreed that hotpants were verboten at Ascot . "I wish to make it perfectly clear ... that the only form of ladies' trousers permitted will be suits with long trousers." Fashion designer Joe Dalyland (with model Delia Whittaker) was clearly not listening Photograph: PA/PA Archive Photograph: PA/guardian.co.uk Some rather impressive mosaic detailing at Ascot in the same year, 1971 Photograph: Alamy Photograph: guardian.co.uk By 1985 , power dressing and haughty expressions were de rigueur at Ascot Photograph: Alamy Photograph: guardian.co.uk The 1980s: never knowingly understated. This practical headgear was seen at the end of the decade, in 1989 Photograph: Duncan Raban/EMPICS Entertainment Photograph: Duncan Raban/guardian.co.uk Comedy hats are never out of fashion at Ascot. They rear their heads again in 1995 ... Photograph: Alamy Photograph: guardian.co.uk ... but surely this masterpiece, from Ascot 2009 , is the most impressive creation to date? Photograph: Samir Hussein/WireImage Photograph: Samir Hussein/guardian.co.uk