Today was Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot. It dates back to a bygone era where horse racing was chic, social attire was formal and the class system was comfortably entrenched. As in the Imperial era, colorful pomp and circumstance shrouds an underbelly of rank depravity. Last year’s was quite the event.

Organizers unveiled a new dress code this year. Hats, of course, were mandatory. Women were forbidden from baring shoulders, showing midriffs or sporting shorter than modest length skirts (MLB approves). [Photos via Getty]