At the races: Hot tips for a day of blue and white

Some racegoers will be watching the horses, but most will be watching the people as the 2015 racing season kicks off with the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate in Cape Town this weekend.

An age-old tradition of horse racing and dressing up is all part of the fun. All guests are asked to comply with the blue and white dress code.

Fashion designers Errol Arendz, Sian Parry Jones and Craig Port will decide the Best Dressed winner, and she will be jetted off to the UK for Glorious Goodwood 2015. The prize is part of an exchange agreement that sees Charlie Elmy-Britton, winner of Best Dressed Lady at England's Glorious Goodwood 2014, attending LQP 2015 as part of her title. Her winning look included a classic blue lace dress, matching fascinator and chic Chanel clutch.

''The L'Ormarins Queen's Plate is an occasion to celebrate the grace and refinement which has historically accompanied world-class race days, and the winning outfits will be a reflection of that history," said Errol Arendz.

There are also prizes for best hat (won in 2014 by fashion blogger Kim Gray). The winners will get a prize of R2000 (R3000 for the best hatted man) from The Little Hattery, Uber vouchers, a fragrance and L'Ormarins MCC wine.

Stick to the Do's and Don'ts of racecourse fashion and you could jet off to Goodwood:

• Don't flout the dress code;
• Don't wear stiletto heels - you'll walk like a stork as they sink into the turf;
• Don't wear jeans, shorts or anything that makes you look like Cinderella's ugly sisters;
• Do dress for your age - avoid frumpy dresses and micro-minis;
• Do stick to classic colour combos - mix your white and blue elegantly rather than going head to toe in either colour;
• Don't match your dress to the racecourse;
• Do dress for your body shape - loose only works with very structured outfits and too tight looks tacky;
• Don't veer into pantomime territory - avoid tiaras unless they're real diamonds;
• Do experiment with colour blocking;
• Don't mix too many shades of blue together in the same outfit;
• Don't play it too safe;
• Do liven up a dull outfit with headgear;
• Don't get your occasions mixed up and wear a ball gown or a bikini;
• Do vintage - always a winner at the racetrack; and
• Do wear clothes comfortable enough to party in after the last race.

GIVEAWAY

L'Ormarins Queen's Plate 2015 returns to Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday for its 154th running. The event, described by the UK's Telegraph as one of the top five races in the world, attracts thousands of people for the racing, party and chance to dress up in blue and white for the day. Competitions for Best Dressed Woman and Man will be held.

To stand a chance to win two tickets worth R2400 to VIP tent the Stud Club at the Queen's Plate, e-mail your answer to this question - What is the colour code for dress? - to tellus@thetimes.co.za by midday tomorrow. The prize doesn't include transport.

Staff reporter