In pictures: Royal Ascot Ladies' Day Published duration 16 June 2016

Ladies' Day, on the third day of Royal Ascot, is one of the biggest events in the British fashion calendar with many women braving daring millinery and flamboyant dresses.

The event is a major fixture of the social season and is traditionally the busiest day of the five-day meet.

Despite a strict dress code - with the Royal enclosure banning strapless dresses and enforcing the wearing of hats - bold prints, candy floss colours and classic dresses are the order of the day for ladies in attendance.

Here is a collection of the memorable, and some of the more questionable, headwear choices.

image copyright David Davies/PA image caption In the Royal enclosure, headpieces with a base of less than 4in (10cm) in diameter are deemed "unacceptable" - but there is no upper size limit

image copyright Adam Davy/PA Wire image caption This racegoer topped her striking outfit off with one of the larger headpieces of the day

image copyright Adam Davy/PA Wire image caption Flowers and feathers were a common theme amongst many

image copyright Reuters / Toby Melville image caption Others opted for more futuristic elegance

image copyright Reuters / Toby Melville image caption Animal-themed millinery was a surprising trend

image copyright JUSTIN TALLIS image caption Giant ram horns made out of sweet wrappers anybody?

image copyright Reuters / Toby Melville image caption This racegoer opted for equine decoration of her headpiece

image copyright Adam Davy/ PA Wire image caption As did these two but with slightly bigger horses, however...

image copyright Adam Davy image caption ...Bigger is not necessarily better

image copyright Reuters / Andrew Boyers image caption Sometimes all you need to get noticed is a massive flower on your head

image copyright JUSTIN TALLIS image caption These two got behind the Euro 2016 opponents, England and Wales, who played each other in the afternoon. The hats were being launched by national Charity, British Polio, as part of a campaign to raise awareness of Post Polio Syndrome (PPS).

Related Topics Ascot

Fashion