Fashion: Racing season’s top headturning trends

The annual sell-out event on June 15 may be about horses winning by a nose and fortunes being won and lost, but the aim of the day for many is coming first in the style stakes. And with a £3000 prize up for grabs for the Queen of Style, now is the time to decide just what to wear.

One person who knows precisely that is 30-year-old Sara Muirhead. The mother-of-two was crowned the Musselburgh Face of Ladies Day earlier this week and features here as our guest model.

She said after the shoot: “I enjoyed every minute of the shoot – from having my make-up done, to trying on all the beautiful dresses – even posing in the rain. Thanks to everyone at Musselburgh Racecourse and the Edinburgh Evening News for this opportunity.”

So what look to choose? Floral is big this year, whether it’s going bold with a maxi dress or playing it pretty with a girlie print and silhouette. Head to House of Fraser, French Connection, Ted Baker in Jenners and Zara for the pick of the best.

This summer also sees a rainbow of bright, clashing colours that dominate the high street. Cocktail dresses and ensembles with slimline silhouettes work best. Gold jewellery, such as stacked bangles or a statement pendant, adds extra detail to the techno colour. Try Karen Millen, Oasis, Warehouse at House of Fraser and Reiss.

And if you want to keep it playful, then opt for a playsuit in silk or fine cotton. Topshop and H&M arguably stock some of the best catwalk-inspired playsuits.

With a prize for the Best Hat up for grabs, don’t forget the headgear. Think intricate and spectacular feathered fascinators to inject colour into a demure dress, a classic statement hat to balance a bold, printed dress, or a vintage-inspired hairslide for instant grown-up glamour. Try Jenners, Accessorize, John Lewis, Coast, LK Bennett and Debenhams.

• Model – thanks to the Face of Ladies Day 2012, competition winner Sara Muirhead; makeup and stylist, Amy Irving