Fifty Years of Ascot Fashions

Fascinating panorama of a half-century of sartorial choices at Royal Ascot...some better judged than others

This fascinating film compiles amateur footage of the stylish attendees at Royal Ascot taken between the 1930s and 1980s, giving the effect of flicking through 50 years of Tatler society pages. The finely attired guests include, naturally, royalty - look out for King George VI and a young Queen Elizabeth II. Notably, the film reveals almost nothing about men's fashion - while the women's flamboyant outfits change with each summer's trends, the men don the same grey morning suits year on year.

This wonderful glimpse of high society at leisure was made by Matthew Nathan, a prolific amateur filmmaker. Other films of his, including Rural Reconditioning, Village Life in Somerset and L.C.C. Nursery School, are also available on BFI Player.