With Royal Ascot just around the corner, there’s no better time to start preparing your look for one of the biggest racing events of the year. After all, dressing for the occasion is all part of the race day experience. But with Royal Ascot, comes the dress code and of course the all-important hat.

We’ve teamed up with local milliners On Your Head Be It who have kindly provided our mannequins with stunning headwear. Together, we’ve sussed the dress codes and pulled our picks for getting it right. Even our resident horse is having his moment in the limelight! From show-stopping Vivienne Westwood dresses, to the ever flattering The Pretty Dress Company collections we have plenty in store for you to be the best dressed race-goer.

Michelle of On Your Head Be It is a lady with an enormous passion for hats. She founded the studio in 1995 after a stint at hat making for Liberty’s of London and has gone on to cater to clients from across the country. The studio itself leaves you not knowing where to look first thanks to creations from world renowned milliners such as Philip Treacy and Rachel Trevor-Morgan, both of whom have designed hats for the Queen and other members of the Royal family.

For an extra special touch to your formal look, we thoroughly recommend a visit to On Your Head Be It.

Sore feet rejoice! A trend has landed that not only looks good, but also feels good. It’s not often fashion and function go hand in hand, but this season the stylish sneaker is a footwear must have — super comfy and super cool! There’s something slightly liberating about ditching the heels and I’m sure my sole sisters will agree!

The demand for sneakers has been steadily climbing ever since Isabel Marant showed her infamous wedge trainer, and the trend is now in full swing for Spring/Summer ‘13. With celebrities such as Rihanna, Cara Delevingne and an eternally cool Kate Bosworth working the sporting look, you know it’s time to up your game in the style stakes. And check out striking and stylish model, Erin Wasson as the face of the new campaign.

We love the new collection from Ash for a striking combination of suede, leather, studs and sparkle. The neutral sand and blush shades are perfect for summer, or choose black for a more sophisticated take on the trend. Team with skinny jeans for an instant and easy wardrobe update.

Sir Alex Ferguson has shaken the footballing world and announced today that he will be retiring as Manchester United manager after 26 years in charge.

As people race to compile the statistics (trophies won, boots thrown, chewing gum consumed etc.) we would like to take a moment and draw attention to his pitch-side style.

Now he wouldn’t be the first person who springs to mind when thinking ’style icon’, but his dedication to the two-piece suit cannot be ignored. He keeps it traditional with navy or grey single breasted jacket and knows how to match his accessories. Check out those moves…

And let’s talk about his ability to pull off a hat or two with ease….

And we can’t forget the watch! Say what you want about the man, but he knows a stylish watch and has been subtly reminding us for years that it is the finishing touch to an outfit.

So raise your packet of Wrigley’s Extra and lets toast a man with endless style credentials — and he doesn’t even know it!

This weekend, we sent out a collective sigh of relief. Summer is finally waking up and not a moment too soon! Now’s the time to start baring those arms and legs while you still can with this season’s best shorts and t-shirts. Our favourites include totally tropical picks from Scotch & Soda, the ever-desirable Stone Island logo tees and Boss Orange basics for simple style.

As I write this post, the words of Miranda Priestly, the fictional ice cold fashion editor from The Devil Wears Prada, are running through my head — “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.”

Okay, she may have a point. There is nothing new about floral prints in springtime. But every year as the clocks go forward, feminine flowers are back in our wardrobes and on our shop floor.

This season, Paul Smith is a particular standout thanks to bold botanicals that give a contemporary variation on the garden theme. The base palette of leafy greens is punctuated with rich indigo, primrose yellow and peacock blue blooms resulting in a collection that is ideal for hazy summer days.

So while I may not be making a groundbreaking fashion statement here, the Paul Smith collection certainly deserves the attention (I’m just lucky Miranda Priestly doesn’t work at Thackerays HQ!).

Shop the collection now.