No midriffs or minis for Ascot fashion parade

ASCOT, England (Reuters Life!) - The "fashion police" were on alert on Thursday for Royal Ascot's Ladies Day to ensure no mini-skirts or bare midriffs marred the hallowed turf of the exclusive Royal Enclosure.

For officials at one of the world's most elegant race meetings are cracking the sartorial whip after veteran racegoers complained that standards were slipping.

So the Duke of Devonshire, chairman of the course where Queen Elizabeth plays host for the five-day meeting, has issued firm fashion instructions to stamp out errant dressers.

Once the Royal Enclosure was so select that divorcees were banned and all ladies had to wear gloves.

Today all you need to gain admittance is to be recommended by someone who has attended four times before.

All this year's badgeholders were given their fashion marching orders and warned: "Those not complying with the directions will be asked to leave the Royal Enclosure."

Thursday is Ladies Day at Ascot so the competition to put on the finest fashion display is intense.

But one should not be tempted to go over the top -- even with hordes of paparazzi prowling the course in search of a sensation-seeking outfit.