For many lady racegoers, Cheltenham Festival Ladies’ Day raises that thorny question: what to wear?
A Ladies’ Day in very early spring, at a classically traditional Jump festival, offering fabulous Best Dressed prizes poses a dilemma between ‘dressy’ fashion and ‘practical’ wear to combat the seasonal weather.
Some brave souls opt for strappy dresses and big hats, as traditionally sported at Flat racing or, famously, at Aintree’s Grand National Festival Ladies’ Day – risking hypothermia and raised eyebrows amongst the ‘traditional’ Jump racing crowd native to Cheltenham; while others choose smart tweeds and furs as an upgrade of their usual winter racing wardrobe – risking a triumph of warmth and comfort over colour and panache.
Cheltenham Ladies’ Day – photograph by Rachel Groom
So, to clear up the confusion, www.eclipsemagazine.co.uk asked three well known ladies in the Jump racing world to give their advice for those aiming to set the pace in the fashion stakes at the Cheltenham Festival this year:
Georgie Browne, partner of Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls, is the Official Ladies’ Day Ambassador for The Festival 2010 and will be riding in the Charity Flat Race. Cancer Research UK is the official charity of the day.
Meally Thornton is the wife of top jump jockey Robert ‘Choc’ Thornton. You can find Mr & Mrs Thornton modelling the clothes in the Cheltenham Racecourse catalogue this year.
Liz Ampairee has been described as ‘one of the best-dressed ladies at the races’ and she runs her own consultancy specialising in project management, marketing, sponsorship and publicity within the racing sector for clients including ex-Champion Jockey Richard Dunwoody. She also rides out regularly for trainer Roger Ingram in Epsom. www.lizampairee.com
Read their advice and suggestions by clicking on the links below:
1. Tweed for Ladies’ Day at The Festival – yes or no?
2. What footwear do you recommend for The Festival?
3. Is it ever okay to wear wellies to The Festival?
4. Please describe your favourite Cheltenham Festival outfit (either your own or someone else’s)?
5. What is your advice on headwear for The Festival?
6. Have you ever made a fashion faux pas at the Cheltenham Festival?
Allison is the Publisher of Eclipse Magazine. She loves going to the Races and is learning to bet (despite being officially the worst bettor in the History of the Universe), there’s a lot more to learn…