Ladies dress to impress at the boat show

Ladies Day saw members of the fairer sex dressed in their finery hoping to impress the fashion scouts while enjoying a glass of champagne or watching the fashion shows.

The day, which raised funds for the Wessex Cancer Trust, saw a wide range of outfits from colourful maxi dresses, to evening gowns, to leopard print mini dresses.

The nautical setting inspired many with several ladies donning striped blue and white sailor-style jackets and blue trousers or shorts.

Show exhibitors also got in the spirit, decorating their stands and putting on special promotions for the day.

Ladies Day ambassador and Hampshire powerboater Shelley Jory-Leigh was among the crowds to judge the winner in the Best Dressed competition after fashion scouts from the Daily Echo had picked out the best outfits.

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Shelley, who is recovering from her injuries after a crash in Sardinia in July, said: “As ambassador for the third year since it started, it’s been the best Ladies Day ever.

“The Boat Show is not all about boys and toys.”

Emma Wheeler, 32, from Port Solent, had come down for the day with her nine-month-old son Benjamin and husband Mark.

The full-time mother and former teacher said: “I think it’s a lovely atmosphere and it’s a nice twist having a theme to the day.

“When we came in I thought there are some ladies who are really well presented, quite well turned out, who had made an effort.

“I have seen a few shiny high heels and a few Prada handbags.

“There were a few people down on the pontoon strutting their stuff.”