WHEN IT COMES TO DRESSING UP FOR THE RACES, SOUTHERNERS SHOULD BE LOOKING TO THE LADIES OF THE NORTH FOR TIPS. WE ARE SPOILED WITH RACECOURSES UP NORTH, WHICH GIVES US AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE LOOK DOWN TO A TEE. IT ALSO MEANS THAT WE ARE OFTEN THE MOST PRACTICAL, AS WITH PRACTICE COMES WISDOM. WE ARE USED TO THE CHILL AND ARE OFTEN VICTIMS OF UNEXPECTED WEATHER BUT IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER BECAUSE WE’LL ALWAYS LOOK STYLISH. HERE’S OUR GUIDE TO DRESSING FOR THE RACES, NORTHERN STYLE.
Colour
It doesn’t matter whether it’s the height of summer or a bitterly cold day in February, why on earth would you go to the races if you weren’t donning the brightest of colours? Pick something that complements the tan you’re wearing right now, and if you went for the darkest bake, then it’s probably best to steer clear of orange for fear of looking like…an orange. White is probably not a great colour if your tan is more bottle than Barbados but, if you’ve recently been away, then white is always the best colour to show it off. Colour is always a great choice for the races, especially in the summer. A great choice is an emerald green. It suits most skin tones and is perfect for any season.
Heels
The bigger the heel, the better is usually the motto. However it all depends on how much rain there has been lately as to what style of heel you want to wear. You don’t want to be sinking into mud when you’re meant to be having a great time. Try a wedge if you’re worried about soft ground. Block heels have been a bit of a fashion hit in recent years, and are incredibly practical so investing in a pair could save your race day and also earn you some fashion points. If you’re taking a little risk, you want it to be on the horses, not on your footwear. You’ll usually see that the most practical ladies are often the ones who have done their research on their horses. Oddschecker currently has Ballyoptic as a favourite for the National Hunt at Cheltenham, and it’s facts like that which you’ll know if you’re carrying an umbrella and thinking practically about your race day.
Take a Coat
Despite what the rest of the world thinks, northern women do feel the cold. We might be able to go out in Newcastle for a night out and never take a jacket but then we’re not spending our entire time outside. In summer, you could probably get away without one but, for winter races, make sure you have a smart coat to protect you from the chill. If you really don’t want to take a coat, you could stuff a little pac-a-mac in your clutch to shield you from the rain when the time inevitably comes.
Of course, not all northern women are the same; the best thing about us is that we’re all different. The most important rule for race day dressing is that you are being true to your own style and that you have a great day. Because, after all, race day dressing is about fun, and where is the fun in somebody else telling you what to wear?
