SUFFOLK'S equivalent of Ladies' Day at Ascot is drawing nearer with Newmarket's own version of the fashion occasion - and that confusing question must be asked once more: What will I wear? To find out how you can make sure you've got the right look, IMOGEN BLAKE spoke to local fashion experts.

SUFFOLK'S equivalent of Ladies' Day at Ascot is drawing nearer with Newmarket's own version of the fashion occasion - and that confusing question must be asked once more: What will I wear?

To find out how you can make sure you've got the right look, IMOGEN BLAKE spoke to local fashion experts.

FORGET Trinny and Susannah - Suffolk has a host of its very own fashion experts keen to advise you about outfits for a summer day out.

Today women across Suffolk are preparing for one of Newmarket Racecourses' most popular events of the year. On the middle day of Newmarket's July Festival, is the most glamorous of summer race days, Lanson Ladies' Day on July 12 which will see many special outfits that will turn their wearers into fashion divas - or fashion disasters.

There will be best dressed awards on each of the three days of the Ritz club's July festival next week, and the prizes include a year's supply of champagne and a makeover.

All ten finalists will receive a goodie bag which includes tickets to Ronan Keating's Newmarket Nights concert on August 10.

Gemma Hussey, spokeswoman for Newmarket Racecourses added: “The July Course has its own unique atmosphere that is often described as romantic and English garden party like. It is an oasis of sun dappled lawns, open-air bars, magnificent beech trees, flourishing flowers, thatched roofs, old-fashioned grandstands and, for the first time in 2007, sparkling new facilities behind the stands following the £10m enlargement and redevelopment of this area. The romance of the surroundings creates a garden party atmosphere unlike any other racecourse.”

Alistair Haggis, spokesman for both Ascot and Newmarket racecourses, added that he event was increasingly a highlight of the social calendar. He said: “People really like dressing up, and Ladies Day is proving immensely popular.”

Last winter a £10 million redevelopment took place at the July Course, with all the public areas behind the stands being revamped. There are now new bars, restaurants, and toilets.

So what do boutiques across Ipswich, think people be wearing for such society occasions this summer?

Rachael Clark at Hardwear, in St Peter's Street, Ipswich said: “I think people will be wearing floral prints and maxi dresses, with hair pieces and big bangles. Ladies Day won't be as structured as it normally is, not so suit-like. It will be more relaxed and girly.”

Nikki Risby, manager at Holly Blue in the Thoroughfare, Woodbridge said: “Our customers have been buying shift cocktail dresses for Ladies Day.

“People have been buying classic fashion, like Audrey Hepburn's style including shift dresses with little bows on - very classic and not frilly. Also, they've been buying a lot of fascinators instead of the usual hats. People have been buying colour from all across the board really; creams, black, mint greens especially.”

Hayley Townsend, manager at All About Me, in St Peters St, Ipswich said: “Customers have been buying quite a lot of satin materials for Ladies Day. Colour wise we are seeing corals, yellows, and those kinds of colours.

“We've got lots of chunky necklaces in at the moment and they've been quite popular. There's also this new A-line dress in at the moment, which is strapless and comes under the bust - that has been very popular recently.”

Amanda Bostock, manager at Girls Love Roses, in Fore St, Ipswich said: “White is very strong this season and they'll be wearing hats and stuff - lots of really lovely outfits. Necklaces and nice belts are also popular.

“Muted colours are fairly strong this season, especially white, but it all depends on the weather. It's been brolly weather recently, so we'll have to see.”

As well as putting money on the horses, punters traditionally indulge in Ladies' Day betting on the colour of the Queen's hat.

Colours for this summer are tipped be clean whites, soft greys and pastels, plus smoky blues.

Yellow is likely to be a key feature, as is black as always.