Racing season is well under way and Limerick women are well known for raising the fashion stakes at any race day around the country and have taken many a ‘best dressed’ title.
Dressing for the races is unlike dressing for any other event. So it’s a time to unleash your inner princess if you want to look your best among the fashionistas on course. Here are a couple of simple rules you should follow.
Dress for daytime
Ladies, if you would wear it to a nightclub, chances are it’s not suitable for the race course. Think well-cut dresses that fall to the knee or just below along with contemporary takes on the classic suit. Many designers are incorporating modern touches in their suiting now – using ribbons instead of button on the jacket and frayed edges rather than a straight seam.
Dress for the season- in terms of colour, Spring and Summer are times to embrace bright tones and prints (although the traditional black and white is always in fashion no matter what the season).
No Bare Heads: If you are going to the races you must wear a head piece. Hats are obviously the winning accessory for race meets, but for those who aren’t keen on sporting a hat there are many other race-day-appropriate hair accessories. A simple fascinator with feathers can look amazing with the right outfit. Try a neat pony tail with a fascinator tucked in just above your hair tie until your confidence builds.
Match it up
To look awesome, get accessories that match your overall ensemble. Limerick has a huge selection of shops that sell beautiful accessories. Number 15 is one of my favourite shops for hats and accessories in Limerick. They are based on Anne Street off Thomas Street. Also check out Stella and Dot (www.stelladot/fionadoyle)
Shoes can be a killer
Wear the wrong pair of shoes to the races and I guarantee you will regret it for the rest of the week as you will be on your feet for several hours throughout the day. That doesn’t mean that you can’t wear heels – in fact heels are almost de rigeur at the races. It just means be sensible about your shoe selection.
Select a pair that you have already broken in, and that preferably have a slightly thicker heel. Sinking into the grass in your stilletos is not a glamorous way to spend the day, and it makes it very difficult to get around if you have to avoid all the grassed areas. Exiting the course at day’s end carrying your shoes because your feet are too sore to wear them is another faux pas to be avoided.
These tips should make sure that you stand out from the crowd when you go to the races. Every female there will be in their most desirable clothing looking chic but you don’t want to stand out for the wrong reasons. To recap: the fundamentals are a chic dress (not too short), extravagant headwear (apart from weddings it is the only event you can wear one), comfortable footwear and matching accessories. I wish you a marvelous day out at the races and at Ladies Day.
I just love some of the looks at this years Galway Ladies day.
