Every year, thousands of women fall foul of a terrible fashion choices at the races. We’re not talking about fluffy pink fascinators or streaky orange tan; this is about comfort. You’re likely to spend most of your day standing outside in mild weather, and this may mean chills. If there has been some rain in the days before the Grand National, it’ll be moist underfoot, which is great for the horses, but not so good for your favourite nude heels.
At other race meets, The Royal Ascot for instance, dresscodes often inhibit comfortable dressing. However, at Aintree, you have the luxury of a dresscode limited to “smart dressing is encouraged”. This sentence should evoke a sense of great liberation within your gut, as you decide to ditch the heels and throw on the jacket. Here are our top tips for a comfortable race day outfit:
1. Don’t wear a hat
Don’t wear a hat, a fascinator or any sort of headpiece. If this leaves you feeling a little glum, you’ll be thankful for it. Windy weather will result in a miserable day of head holding and you have better things to do than spend your day patting your head. You’ll want your hands free when you’re cheering on your favourite horse. William Hill has odds of 8/1 that you’ll be screaming “NATIVE RIVER!” after the horse and its jockey won the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in early March.
2. Try Trousers
Look, the races are a chance to dress up, but do you really want to be wandering around Liverpool in April with your instant tan running down your legs after a downpour of rain? To save yourself from Wotsit hell and escape the shivers, embrace a jumpsuit or a pair of tailored trousers. The suit trend is set to continue through spring/summer 2018 and receive an update with bright colours, pastels and a more tailored leg. There is no formal dresscode at the Grand National, so take advantage and try a slim fitting suit.
3. Don’t forget your Coat!
It sounds like something your mum would shout at you as you left for school in the morning. However, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a coat with you at Aintree. It might be the end of April, but British weather is never a done deal, and you don’t want to be queuing for public transport at the end of the day, wishing you had brought the mink with you. Of course, you could risk it if it were forecast sunshine for the whole day, but even the slightest cloud could dampen your spirits if you don’t have a way to wrap up.
Of course, you don’t have to follow our advice. The best dressed at the races are often those who express themselves through their clothes and there is nothing more comfortable than someone who is happy in their own skin. If you want to wear a white dress and a huge fascinator then be our guest; but don’t say we didn’t warn you when you’re stuck in a sudden downpour of rain!
I write like I think—fast, curious, and a little feral. I chase the weird, the witty, and the why-is-this-happening-now. From AI meltdowns to fashion glow-ups, if it makes you raise an eyebrow or rethink your algorithm, I’m probably writing about it. Expect sharp takes, occasional sarcasm, and zero tolerance for boring content.
