Camilla-style big hats the rage this summer

Picture / Martin Sykes

Television presenter Kelly Swanson-Roe finds a hat that fits as she prepares for the Boxing Day races at Ellerslie.

Hats appear to be the main accessory of the season and they are fast disappearing out of Auckland shops as racing - and fashion - aficionados gear up for the summer season.

The New Zealand Herald is sponsoring races at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, December 29 and New Year's Day, where a collective $1.4 million in prize money is up for grabs.

More than 40,000 race fans are expected to attend the three meetings.

Jennifer Moody of Modes in Newmarket says the trend this year is for big hats as well as "feathers and fascinators" - the style of headwear Camilla Parker Bowles (now the Duchess of Cornwall) wore to her wedding.