CHARMING ASCOT

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 26, 31 July 1933, Page 11

CHARMING ASCOT

THREE DAYS PERFECT

ROYALTY AND DRESS

POPULAR MATEPJALS

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, June 23.

Meteorologically, June is proving somowhat ficklo, but so long as tho days and nights are suitablo when important events occur, cooler weather doesn't matter much. Sun shone 'brilliantly every clay for the Epsom Meeting, whon "The Derby" is outstanding in tho calendar. It did the same for three days out of the four which constitute the Ascot Meeting. So perfect were those days that visitors were able to enjoy the thrill of the Soyal procession coming up the course from Windsor; so perfect were the nights that people journeyed in their thousands on to Aldershot to see that splendid series of panorama which go to make up the Military Tattoo. And this week Greenwich has been their Mecca. But to proceed with tho Ascot story.

On each of the four days the King and Queen attended, having -with them in their picturesque box many members of their family and numerous friends. The sun gave out real summer heat, but the- Eoyal stand in.tho shade looked beautifully cool, with its massed floral decorations of. blue- hydrangeas, set in a border of deeper toned delphiniums, fringed above and below with white Ilamssi lilies. The bluo was a heavenly colour. Richly pink were the giant hydrangea clusters that were used in profusion iv tho shady band enclosure, alternating with ramblers of red round tho bandstand. YVVhile tho flora] front of the Royal Box; was beautifully blue, behind it the, rhododendrons were in shades of red and pink. Ascot is truly a popular meeting; it becomes more so every year, for patrons of tho Turf are ever increasing in numbers. On tho heafh side they sit on camp stools or stand patiently throughout the day, tightly wedged together without shelter from tho fierce sun or from rain (if it comes). On the stands' side they can enjoy, for a moderate price, all tho interests that tho Paddock has to offer with its two rings, its gigantic totalisator facilities, and tho kaleidoscopic garden party effects that characterise it all day long. For everyone from tho exclusive Eoyal enclosure and from the various grandstands can have access to tho leafy Pafldock. Moreover, the visitor from abroad can easily discover "Who's Who," as the coveted white and gold badges worn by tho Eoyal Enclosure party all bear the owner's namo in legible lettering. To qualify for this exclusive section one must have been presented at court, but everyone frequents the Paddock—from Royalty] downward through tho social scale, and there are always many men and women whom. one. must easily rocognise at a glance. PROGRESS IN SEMI-STATE. Just about ono o'clock tho peoplo are on the tiptoe of expectation, and all heads are turned Windsor-ward' to sco if there is any scarlet on tho horizon. If thero is, the Eoyal Procession is on its way. At certain dividing gates tho Eoyal Family change over from the ears, which bring them up tho long drive in Windsor Park, into open landaus drawn by four horses and preceded by outriders. The carriage with the King and Queen, the Priucp of Wales, and tho Duko of Gloucester is drawn by four white horses, preceded by outriders, all in scarlet livery. Six carriages follow, each 'drawn by four bays, with outriders. The progress is leisurely and stately. As tly) procession draws nearer, to the accompaniment of successive waves of cheers, the band plays tho National Anthem, while the carriages pass on, making the necessary detour to manoeuvre the Paddock gates, and so arrive at tlie back of the enclosure. Another band stationed behind takes up tho strains of tho National Anthem, and in a moment tho Eoyal Standard floats abovo the Eoyal Box. All the way up the course tho King and Queen acknowledge tho plaudits of the people, and so dp/the other Royalties in tho following carriages. Ascot, with tho Eoyal Procession, completes a wonderful day: without it there is a seusar tiou of something sadly lacking. In normal circumstances thero'aro indeed two processions daily—tho arrival, and the departure, just before five o'clock. But in the interval much is happening, and tho interest attaching to tho Eoyal Box is ever varying, with Royalty coming and going, and people being summoned for chats with the King and Queen. Tho public with Stand or pjuldoek badges are able to pass up and down outsido the ; enclosure and to see tho Eoyal Family at very close quarters. In the Paddock the distinguished people niovo freely, and one is just as likely to find ono of the King's sons at one's side as the Aga Khan or 'tho Earl of Lonsdale. A FESTIVAL OF FROCKS. Ascot, oi course, .is ono of the places renowned for "its dress parades, and given weather such as that experienced last week, thoro is much to interest and attract the eye—in fact, one needs eyes all ronnd to <iopo with tho ever-chang-ing scene. This year there was nothing outstandingly startling, for nowadays there is no thrill or sensation at the sight of a bare-backed dress worn in the daytime. Quito a number were of this variety, evening dresses worn in tho daytime, with full, puffy, short sleeves or shoulder frills. But Jes bare, and probably really moro comfortable, were thoso who had their flesh veiled with a filmy lace or chiffon, perhaps of a flosh tint. Young people lookod fresh and charming in their organdies—crisp but not crushable, as they used to be—made with many flouncings and frills, worn with tremendously large shady leghorn hats, simply banded with velvet or ribbou. Tho details, such as gloves, shoes, and handbags,, wore either a completo match or a striking contrast. For instance, dolicato pink chiffon was used for dross, while hat, shoes, bag, and, long suede gloves were of eau-de-nil. With thousands of lovely young peoplo looking perfect pictures, it is difficult to say that any one colour had a preference—but peiihaps blue was outstanding, of a soft sky tone. At all events it was a popular selection. Flowered chiffon will, it seems, always be wanted, and nothing gives greater comfort and pleasure in the wear. Fragile in appearance, a good chiffon possesses almost an infinity of wearing quality. Some people had a fancy for brodorie Anglaiso, particularly of a parehmont tint. All white was a frequent choice, and well it looked in its freshness and softness of chiffon, delicate, crinkly crepe, or tho more crisp ciro tulle' Chevron stripes of black and white were among tho smart effects, and beige was more than once liberally trimmed with monkey fur. Very unusual in effect was the dross worn one day by tho Duchess of Sutherland; it was of black criukly crepe, with sleeves composed of horizontal bands which left tho shoulders bare. Tliero are still tartan-printed. cli£-

fons, and there are flowered taffetas — both wove seen at Ascot made up almost with Victorian severity. Green is a colour coming into favour, yellow is permissible, and grey has a large following, especially in chiffon shading from dark to light, which resulted in some of tho most charming effects seen at Ascot. Moro eldorly people arc choosing dresses of rich satin, cut cleverly on the cross, to fall with a certain natural fulness, a shade likely to IjO much seen being petuuia. THE ROYAL FAMILY. • Tho Queen nearly always chooses beige, soft blue, soft pink, or delicate lavender—all having an opales<sont i elusiveness which makes it difficult to define exactly the real colour. On Gold Cup Day her gown of cream lace Over flesh pink was the most admired. A waistbelt with ends to the front was of pale pink satin, and with thi« dress was worn a swathed toque of gold lame in which a pearl and diamond brooch was fastened. Many other fine pearls 1 and diamonds accompanied this attire, and while driving along the course her Majesty used a pale rose-coloured sunshade. On this day the Princess Royal was in a delicate, printed chiffon of green and white, with a picture hat of green straw, wreathed with foliage to tone. The Duchess of York was .dainty in a white crepe-de-chino dress under a white coat, bordered with white fox, and worn with a long spray of gardenias down ono side. Her ivory white crinoline straw hat was finished with gardeniae.. When Lady Patricia Earnsay strolled into the paddock it was seen that her dress was of a deep shade of parchment, finished with a sash of salmon-pink velvet, the same. colour being used to trim her shady hat of beigo straw. Princess Arthur of Connaught was in printed crepo do chine in red and beigo with a silver fox fur. Her hat was of cherry-red straw. Princess Helena Victoria was in palest mush-robin-grey angel-skin lace and a brown tagel straw hat and blue fox- fur, and Lady Maud Carnegie was iv, ecru lace with a, broadbrimmed brown .straw hat. - -. Tho gold trophy, shown on the pedestal at the front of the Royal Pavilion, was not a cup, as usual,- but it took the form of a beautiful basket suitable for fruit or flowers. It was won by Mr. E. Esmond, the owner of Foxhuntor, who came first in a good race of 2i miles. A GREAT ASSET. Of course, tho tote machine is a centre of great interest. Long are the queues of the nobility and other women who lino up at the windows to risk their florins; long—but no so long—are the patient lines of women who make for the pay-out department when their chosen number has passed tho post. Until tho tote was installed the women in the Eoyal Enclosure were unable to bet, becauso it was never permissible for them to consort with tho ■ bookmakers over the-rails. They had to use their husbands and their ■ men friends, and the sums risked had to be much bigger than two shillings. Now they can do as they please, and this additional status of independence is I greatly appreciated. Well, in conclusion, one can only say, as has been said before, all visitors from New Zealand should haev one day at Ascot. Even if they don't ©are for racing, >they will bo provided with a tremendous lot to interest them, in surroundings which cannot be duplicated. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Gordon Carter (clerk of the course) receives paons of well-deserved praiso for the perfection of tho arrangements which he invariably makes for this great summer garden party race meeting on the Royal If music makes appeal, there are always three military bands in attendance, playing bright music to drown any sorrowful rebuffs that the too confident may have experienced v This year the Life Guards played on the grandstand lawn, tho Coldstreaniors and, tho Berkshires in the six shilling enclosure.