'Fascinating' hats at Ascot
Hats, hats and more hats... while there's certainly racing going on at Royal Ascot 2015 -- the annual racing event near Windsor, England -- the more impressive spectacle continues to be the British hat tradition that racegoers execute in spectacular fashion every June.
Here, Larisa Katz shows off her headgear as two other racegoers arrive in dandy attire on Ladies Day, June 18, 2015.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
There's the flamboyant, the spectacular, and the just plain amusing. Take your pick.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Racegoer Larisa Katz poses with her own hat design made from recycled plastic spoons as she attends the second day of racing.
Inventive and environmentally friendly.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Tracy Rose (R) poses for a photograph wearing a Pablo Picasso-themed hat she designed herself.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
This racegoer is also clearly an aviation fan.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Why not adorn your hat with flowers? It is spring, after all.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
And really big flowers.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Clearly, everyone is into hats here.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
A green feather motif.
Ascot - Hats galore
There are races going on, of course.
Here, Queen Elizabeth demonstrates that she can focus on fashion and the horses at the same time.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
And women aren't the only ones who can make a fashion statement at Royal Ascot.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
White hat, black hats...top hats galore.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Apparently these two anti-horse racing activists, Polish pop star Pola Pospieszalska (L) and model Victoria Eisermann, still wanted to dress up for Royal Ascot on Ladies Day.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
The Royal Ascot horse race meeting has taken place since 1711. Top hats and tails remain compulsory in parts of the course, but everyone just seems to like wearing them everywhere at Ascot.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Definitely the right, appreciative crowd for this pink top hat.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
You really don't want to be caught without something on your head here.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
This Royal Ascot racegoer is very well camouflaged.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Silhouetted hats.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
People do watch the racing... you just don't want to be behind someone with a really big hat.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
A daisy fascinator.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Clearly there are some difficult moments at Ascot wearing a hat doesn't smooth over.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Fascinator, fascinator...such a great word for head apparel in so many ways.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Here, the horse is the only one not wearing a hat.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Jennifer Dardling shows off her 'bears having a picnic' hat.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
This woman shows off a full garden-themed outfit.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Great colors.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
A patriotic theme.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Racegoers enjoy Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot.
Queen Elizabeth
Technically, it's not just Queen Elizabeth conforming to fashion norms... the jockeys are wearing hats too.
Since the racing goes on for several days, the queen gets to wear several different hats from her collection.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
These hats truly need to be viewed from the side to fully appreciate their massive profiles.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
More red, white and blue.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Even a guide dog isn't immune to the whole head fashion thing.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York come dressed in style.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
These two women went for a camouflage theme.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
Racegoers clap as a carriage containing (L-R) Britain's Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrive in the parade ring at Ascot racecourse.
Everyone -- royals and commoners alike -- knows the dress code.
Royal Ascot - Hats galore
The green lipstick really is the final touch to this woman's green-themed headgear.