Royal Ascot is a great indicator of trends in occasion-wear dresses and hats for summer weddings. And this year looks like we'll all be wearing large headpieces on hair-bands perched at jaunty angles - like Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, pictured at Ascot earlier this week. The latest trend is a sort of over-sized-fascinator-cum-hat; but ever since fascinators were outlawed in the Ascot Stands and Royal Enclosure a few years ago, the put-upon headpiece has dropped down the universal fashion stakes. Ascot headpieces must now measure at least four-inches wide. Aishwarya's hat is by Philip Treacy, and you can see why Swiss watchmakers Longines, Official Timekeeper of Royal Ascot, choose her as their Ambassador of Elegance at this year's event. She also got to present one of their watches to the winning jockey, trainer and lad in the King's Stand Stakes on opening day.

I went traditional this year with a full-brimmed hat from Marks and Spencer. Great value for a summer race meeting or fashionable wedding at just £29, it proves that stylish dressing need not put too much strain on the budget. My dress was from a brand called Kaliko, which does great figure-flattering shapes, again at very reasonable prices. Check out the John Lewis website, currently running a sale on the brand - some lovely occasion looks from Kaliko here.) Have to admit it, mine came from a charity shop, brand new and still with labels attached for just £20. So don't overlook vintage options, even when shopping for a dressed-up event - head for upmarket areas for best finds. (This one came from Oxfam in London's Marylebone High Street).

And because it was a bit chilly on Tuesday, I finished the look with a tuxedo-style black jacket from Jaeger's Boutique label. And while you'd be stretching it to call Jaeger a 'budget choice', it does fantastic mid-season sales with big price slashes - my jacket was reduced from £400 to £100, it's timeless and classic and will last me for years. 

Speaking of budgets, I didn't add to mine on the day - patchy mobile coverage meant my text of tips from a friend in the know arrived too late to be useful. But I had a wonderful time. On a budget!

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