Today's summer season is no longer preoccupied with being in a royal enclosure. There are muddy fields for one thing, and ensuring that you have clean knickers (after a night in a damp tent, not because your Ascot skirt was more than 2in above the knee). In the early 1900s even ankles were scandalous; women wore floor-length dresses and balanced blancmange hats on intricate updos. It was hard work having fun.

These days you can enjoy the revelries and still be stylish. To prove it, we stomped the grounds at the Hay Literary Festival, Royal Ascot and Isle of Wight Festival to find real women who look great, despite mud or lost winnings. We could easily have written about those who looked awful: at Ascot there were too many Pat Butcher accessories and Come Dancing shoes; at Hay mud on cream cotton was the main crime. So the Isle of Wight was the winner. Why? Because boho was finally kicked out by the proliferation of Pixie Geldof wannabes.

THE BOOK LOOK
Polly from London: a friend's coat and socks, a harlequin jumper found at a party, a former boyfriend's red jumper, Mum's shorts, her own shoes.
The layering of harlequin and red jumpers, combined with stripy socks and long shorts, is perfectly practical and quirky. Top marks.

Sarah from Birmingham: H&M coat, top and trousers, Gap cardigan, Millets wellies, shoulder bag from the US.
It was a risk to use her grandmother's upholstery as inspiration. This many patterns in one outfit could have gone all shades of wrong. However, she's been referring to her fashion bible and, by sticking to a tricolour palette, she keeps it simple enough to work.

Tree from London: Voyage jacket, All Saints scarf, Alexander McQueen top, Audiger belt, jeans from Italy, Ash shoes.
Tree runs the risk of sinking into the quagmire in these lace-up heels, but she somehow manages to look fabulous - despite the horizontal rain. All that black avoids nasty drip marks, and a choice of two jackets means that she can swap when one gets wet. Clever.

BOOKIES' FAVOURITES
Mrs Guy Sangster: Bruce Oldfield suit, Sylvia Fletcher hat for Lock & Co, Christian Dior shoes, Wilbur & Gussie bag.
In terms of hats, there is daring - such as this delightful wizard's cone - and then there is trying to balance a miniature bathroom on your head. Hats at Ascot must be bold, but should never require a plumber.

Hannah Koscian: Ungaro dress, John Lewis hat.
Dressing your age, still looking fashionable and not succumbing to corporate suiting: these style benchmarks sound easy in theory, but judging by the number of wrinkly cleavages on display, British women still find it difficult. Here, happily, neither the dress nor the girl is trying too hard.

Emma Taylor: Mango suit, Anna Kompaniets hat, Nine West shoes, vintage sash.
Either she doesn't care about being in the Royal Enclosure (skirts only) or she's forgotten to shave her legs. Whatever the reason, this simple trouser suit proves that slacks can rival the pencil skirt in the final furlong.

THE WIGHT STUFF
Georgia Boodh: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, vintage T-shirt, Office wellies.
A masterclass in squeezing as many trends as possible into one outfit. Cue red Wayfarers, the straw hat, a slogan T-shirt, an ethnic shawl, Bermuda shorts and the ubiquitous wellies. And breathe...

Hayley Bushell: H&M dress, grey beanie.
Somehow this dress works, even if zebras aren't normally seen in this shade of green. On its own, it would veer on the pin-up side. Played down with a wool waistcoat and beanie - this is Britain, not the Caribbean - it's perfect for the occasion.

Samantha Randall: Asos print dress.
This is a lesson in the right way to do statement dressing - the joy of the dress is that one piece says it all. Bold geometric print, empire line, perfect length - it's the ideal attire for a festival. Complemented with a straw hat - in a colour different from the masses - and shades, this is how to stand out from the crowd.

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