THE day dawned grey and chilly.

The early show-goers were in waxed jackets, scarves even gloves and the brollies were on standby. By 9am the sun was beginning to find its way through the cloud cover and an hour later the sky was unbroken blue and constant sunshine took the temperature from warm to hot.

Off came the Barbours, cardigans and wraps and on went the sun cream and hats.

By lunchtime the avenues were crowded with families intent on a truly Suffolk day out.

The styles ranged from hoodies to haute couture; from designer to and, as always the female stewards were at the head of the fashion stakes.

Angie Ashby-Hoare was in a Milly dress and coat ensemble, from Chatterton’s of Woodbridge with a rose-adorned hat from Higher Hats in Great Wenham.

Patricia Pearce, of Combs, Stowmarket looked spectacular in a glamorously petticoated red silk taffeta dress from Lavender & Jude, at Stradbroke. Her seriously designer bag was Anya Hindmarch from Collen & Clare at Southwold - , and Bella Tew, from Bury St Edmunds was stewarding her third Suffolk Show in a fabulous purple hat from Newmarket Hat Hire and an ivory and purple silk Boden dress worn with a Next summer coat. Bella says she will be wearing a new outfit for Thursday - this time with a tropical, birds of paradise theme.

Art Show steward Georgie Wayman cleverly created her own colour-co-ordinated titfer from a grey LK Bennett fascinator and sisters Hannah and Rebecca Roberts looked stunning in red, black and white.

Among the day’s Show visitors, three friends looking great in their individual styles were Rachel Watling, of Falkenham, in a tweed jacket and short, black denim skirt Daisy Huxtable of Hadleigh, in white shorts, pink buttoned-top and extravagantly large drop ear-rings, and Katie Ellis of Nayland in a stripey top and faded blue denim jeans. The 16-year-olds - all horsewomen - were here to watch the show-jumping.

Paul Long, of Stansfield, showed country styling at its best in terracotta coloured cords, Navy blazer, and straw Panama hat Mr Long, formerly of the Royal Anglians, also sported a Suffolk Regiment tie. He has been coming to the show for two decades and, now retired, enjoys the shopping.

Looking cool in classic tailoring, Charles Hopkins was in a linen suit and straw Panama - a great choice for a warm day. This was the suit’s second outing in a fortnight - Mr Hopkins also wore it at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Brianna Benson, Emma Jelley, of Elmswell and her sister Sarah Williamson were on a family day out. Wearing in-vogue bright prints, the three women were dressed for the sunshine. Emma revealed she wore her outfit (minus the hat) for a Sex and the City night out with friends last weekend.

Inspired by the fashions of the iconic American series, now in cinemas for its second big screen feature, Emma said: “We went to Bury St Edmunds for cocktails, saw Sex and the City 2, then had more cocktails.”