DRESSING well for a day at the races has a certain formula to it, and if you follow my suggestions you have a dead cert of winning in the style stakes at least!

Looking for the perfect winter race day outfit? The most important thing is to stay warm naturally, so a gorgeous jumpsuit could be ideal as your legs are fully covered so this will keep you wonderfully cosy. If you’re more of a dress type person, then a calf-length dress with fabulous boots will do the trick, long sleeves always for winter or you risk looking like you didn’t get the memo! If you’re considering entering one of the Best Dressed Ladies Day competitions, a beautiful faux fur can add that extra bit of luxury, and of course, it’s all about the hat!

Trilbies are safe bet in winter, and they come in various shades and tilted brims which are so perfect, especially if trimmed with a seasonal pheasant feather, etc. But a show-stopping leather base with leather flowers or feathers would be a step up, and there are several Irish milliners out there who can make you something bespoke, colour matching your entire outfit, and adding the perfect accent for the wow factor! I was thrilled to make a gorgeous purple leather disc for the recent Best Dressed winner Shileen McConville at Down Royal November Festival of Racing, it certainly stood out for all the right reasons!

Of course at this time of year, many ladies who regularly attend the race meetings in the spring will already be planning ahead! If you want play your A-game, you need to get in touch with a local milliner to book your bespoke slot because anyone skilled in their craft will be hard to access at times of pressure. Spring raceday hats are obviously lighter materials, parasisal straws such as the green hat pictured here are luxurious and couture, not like anything you can buy in a regular department store, and that’s the vibe you should be aiming for to win.

So to sum up: dress seasonally appropriately. Choose a local designer outfit ideally supporting Irish boutiques and designers, and top it all off with an Irish milliner’s hat! And please note that hats can be posted, I’m based in Belfast, but I supply headwear to racegoers all over the world! You can contact me on 00447813775164, or via Instagram or Facebook. Happy racing!