At the Races

horses,some of which raced in the Derby. While among the younger actors there is Randeep Hooda,who owns a couple of horses.

The horse-races have always been one of those rare daytime occasions when B-town folks can be all spiffed up in their formal clothing and still not look out of place. As it’s an outdoor event,the Derby lets the B-town junta dress in their feminine flirty short frocks,designer sunglasses and stylish hats, says fashion designer Pria Agni. Preity Zinta has always been dressed to a tee for the Derby with her stylish Chanel suits,scarlet hats and high-waist pants. This season,Abhay Deol experimented with the cliché Derby look and was spotted at the Signature Derby 2011 in a smart suit teamed with denims and aviator glasses.

But the tide has not always been in B-town’s favour. It’s only in the last five years that the trend has changed for the better. Bollywood folks are known for their gaudy dressing style and at times they looked like they had just stepped out of the flashy sets into the races. But,off late,I think the actress have started looking way better than the fashionistas themselves. But,there’s still room for improvement. I wish that some actresses decides push the style to the next level and wear something Indian,like the sari,for the Derby, concludes Pria Agni.

A look at some of the stars on the race track:

* Hats Off: So what if Preity Zinta belongs to Bollywood? Not once did the actress stage a fashion faux-pas at the races. The sky is the limit when it comes to her Derby wardrobe and the actress has worn it all,from Derby hats to pure white dresses. But,we totally love her scarlet Derby hats and the high-waist skirts that rose to fashion at the races,all thanks to the actress.

* Sunny Side-Up: When it comes to the trends at the Derby,Urvashi Sharma and Raima Sen can give the regulars a run for their money. The actresses seem to complement each other with their thick-rimmed sunglasses,strappy high-heels and the frocks. Getting the colours right is extremely important in the process of dressing right. While Urvashi chose a vibrant blue dress,Raima went all classic in a vintage dress.

* Suits them Best: This was probably a first for Abhay Deol,actor didn’t disappoint his fans at the racecourse. His designer jacket teamed with a pair of denims and aviator sunglasses made him a huge favourite at the Signature Derby 2011. His gang of boys including Siddharth Mallya and fashion photographer Atul Kasbekar lived up the occasion too. While Kasbekar was at his fashionable best,Mallya seems to have stepped out of his comfort clothing denims and T-shirts with great ease in this grey jacket pulled over a white shirt and black pants.

* Green with Envy: Getting the length right is a must while you are at the Derby. There is a fine line about what is too much…and even as Sophie Choudry looks all flirty in this short green dress and seems to have hit it off brilliantly with the length. Her outfit is just so right for the races and the post-event cocktail party. The nude wedges seem perfect for the occasion.

* Hot in White: A must-have for the

Derby is an all-white outfit. Overriding the fear of having his outfit soiled,Jackie Shroff took the lead when it came to sporting white in its purest forms at the Derby,last year. With the stubble and the thick-rimmed sunglasses,the actor grabbed eyeballs at the event.

* Flower Power: Prints were a key at the Signature Derby this season and Geeta Basra pulled off the perfect look by promoting flower-power in a floral printed flowing gown. With her hair neatly tucked,the actress seems to glow at the Derby after-party.