GOODWOOD was awash with dazzling dresses and fancy frocks for Ladies Day yesterday.

In what is one of the biggest society days in Sussex of the year, thousands enjoyed the racing at Qatar Goodwood Festival.

Among the attendees was former ballerina Darcey Bussell, snapped laughing with Lord March, the head honcho of the glitzy five-day event.

As well as being one of the most talented ballerinas in the world, Ms Bussell is also one of the four judges on the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing.

But she wasn't there to do any judging yesterday.

Instead, The Argus enlisted a top dressmaker and fashion expert to dissect the efforts put in by six of the best.

Roxy Goldstein, 27, graduated from Northbrook College with a fashion design degree and now runs her own dress-making business, called Atelier Gold, based in St James's Street, Brighton.

She said: "It's not every day you get to wear heels with a matching hat, a bag and jewellery. In other scenarios the fear of the unknown can be a bit inhibiting, but at Goodwood it's game-on.

"Goodwood is one of those opportunities where you can live out your fantasies a little bit.

"If you like vintage you can really dress up or take your own personal style to a smarter level.

"You can show off with what you want to wear, be adventurous and express yourself."

Miss Goldstein said the influence of Kate Middleton had showed at events such as Goodwood in recent years,

She praised the recent royal's dress sense for its accessibility.

She said: "Lace has seen a massive comeback and there's plenty of it at the races. It has been really in since Kate Middleton wore it at her wedding, which was years ago.

"There are definitely parallels on Ladies Day - Kate is always seen in public wearing matching hats and outfits.

"She has had such an influence on fashion; she will wear things that are just about accessible on the high street."