“Don’t overcomplicate your look.”
The Best Dressed competition at the Galway Races will be decided on August 1, which gives those who want to be in the running less than a month to prep.
With Her is sponsoring the Best Dressed competition, the judges are looking for something a bit different to be a deserving winner of a luxury trip to the Seychelles with Emirates Holidays, plus €3,000 spending money. So, as Her‘s Fashion Editor, I’ll be giving you guidance on what to wear to Ballybrit to make yourself stand out over the next few weeks.
To get the ultimate insider information, I asked last year’s winner, Charlene Byers, on what she thinks will makes the judges’ heads turn on August 1, and the best way to prepare for the competition.
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Charlene promises that if you want to win, you don’t have to go over-the-top. She says: “My advice for anyone entering Ladies’ Day for the first time is to be yourself and don’t over complicate your look.
“For me less is definitely more. Pick one part of your look that you want to stand out. For me it’s usually the hat.”
She adds to “not over accessorise” either, so you could probably do without those gloves!
As for preparing for the big day, Charlene encourages Ladies’ Day-goers to not be too strict on themselves, noting that while there are some people out there who plan their looks for months in advance, others – like her – might only have a few days or weeks to get organised.
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“Ladies’ Day prep can literally be a couple of days – last minute decisions – and then you could be visually planning months in advance.
“Sometimes, if you’re lucky enough, the dress will find you and then you can decide where you will wear it. That was a bit like me at Galway last year. I was in Umit Kutluk’s outlet shop in Kildare Village and stumbled across the pink cape dress, and then I decided I would go to Galway three weeks before the event!”
The Newry woman completed her prize-winning look with heels from Next, a lip-shaped Lulu Guinness clutch and a feathered hat by Laura Hanlon.
Charlene notes that while the Ladies’ Day experience seem overwhelming if it’s your first time there, it’s a really fun day. “There is a lot of ladies at the Galway Races and A LOT of stylish [ones too]!” you should just relax, be comfortable in what you’re wearing and have a great time.”
