Reinventing race-day style

Racing season starts in earnest this week at Epsom. To avoid ending up in the same frock as half of Surrey, try these off-radar brands, says Charlie Gowans-eglinton

Getting dressed for the races (not to mention the polo tournaments, regattas and garden parties that dominate the British summer season) is nearly enough of a task to put anyone off attending them. While, at first, an invitation to Ascot might seem like a lovely excuse to go shopping, once you’ve navigated strap width and hem length, read up on hatiquette and found a pair of shoes that won’t sink into the lawn, you’re likely to need a sit down – not that you’ll be able to find a seat near the Moet tent after midday.

But, even with all the best-laid plans in the world, it’s impossible to prepare for the fact that a dozen other women have also thought that M&S pink flared-sleeved dress (the store’s current bestseller) was just the thing, and that when you bump into all 12 of them in the loo queue, you’ll look like a peculiar wedding party minus the bride.

The solution, of course, is shopping off the beaten track. But since, if the non-beaten track were easy to find, it would be beaten, here are the best under-the-radar brands (some brand new, some little known) to shop now – and see you through even the trickiest of summer events.

‘When you bump into all 12 of them in the loo queue, you’ll look like a peculiar wedding party’