From March to August the British horseracing calendar raises the fashion stakes on what it takes to be a stylish guest, so get race day ready with my guide of what to wear to Ladies Day.
Dresses
đź‘—Flutter sleeves, A-line cuts and waterfall hems will flatter curvy figures and give light floaty movement, keeping you cool in the summer. Sleeveless, body-con frocks will elongate your body shape and sticking to dress codes aim for at least knee length and longer. The dress code for the Royal Enclosure bans spaghetti straps and short dresses, so always check your ticket to see where you will be spending the day.
đź‘—Colour and prints are down to personal taste. This year buttermilk yellow, pistachio green and monochrome have already proved to be big hits, whereas bold abstract prints and polka dots are favourites for impact.
👗Luxury fabrics and embellishment will elevate your outfit into a special occasion one. It is less about following trends and more about timeless elegance that you will treasure for longer. You don’t have to invest in a designer or premium purchase either when there are so many good dress hire agencies.
Hats and fascinators
đź‘’Decide how much of a statement you want to make, a huge wide-brimmed hat will give great sun protection, save you having to wear sunglasses and make you insta ready but will you feel comfortable wearing it? The less stressful option is to pair a single colour hat or fascinator with your dress.
đź‘’Look at your face shape and try on as many hats as possible. A demure pillbox will be lost on a long face and a high volume fascinator will overwhelm a petite frame. Whatever you choose it should have structure and not flop into your face, so fascinators with headbands are a popular choice for all day comfort and style.
 Shoes
🩰Wedges, block and kitten heels will give you height and comfort for a day walking on grass. If they are new don’t forget to wear them beforehand to test them out and pop a pair of fold-up flats in your handbag alongside some blister plasters just in case.
Bags
👜Small clutches look pretty but won’t be practical if you’re taking a sun glasses case, sun cream, make-up and tissues alongside your phone keys and purse. A grab handle mini tote is a much better option and will give you one arm free to hold your glass and cheer on your horse. Express your innate style with a novelty shaped bag but only if you can fit your daily essentials in it!
Jewellery
đź’ŤMost women choose their hat and dress to be the star attraction, but if you have opted for a one shoulder pantsuit, satin slip dress or linen trouser suit then let accessories do the talking and express your individuality.
Being you
Whatever your budget, age, body shape and style you should still be you!
For instance, at this year’s Grand National in April, 22 year old Katie Morris was crowned Ladies Day Style Awards winner for her strapless monochrome polka dot dress from Babyboo Fashion. She topped this off with a wide-brimmed black hat from Vinted and shoes from River Island – showing that you don’t have to spend a fortune to look fabulous.
‌The Most Sustainably Dressed winner was 53 year old Rachel Ellis, who paired a preloved tea dress with a hat she had made herself – adding a unique piece to her outfit. Rachel’s Nobody’s Child dress was made from recycled fabric and purchased on Vinted. She styled the sustainable dress with a hat that she made herself inspired by the bees and insects at Kew Gardens.