Hats at the ready, folks! The countdown to the winter racing season is on, and we’ve got our eyes on the prize(s).
There are a whole host of opportunities to win big, but the main event is Ladies Day at Leopardstown Christmas Festival. The prize for the Most Stylish Lady is a five-star escape to Monart Spa worth a whopping €5,000!
To get some winter style inspiration, we met with Galway-based designer, Edel Ramberg, to get her top tips for looking and feeling great at a day at the races…
Her.ie: What’s your advice when it comes to shopping for a winter racing outfit?
Edel Ramberg: For winter racing, I always find it’s best when planning my outfits to keep to block colours and good accessories. A striking but elegant cocktail hat with understated clothing so you can wear again and again.
A coat is the main focus of your outfit as, let’s be honest, it will be too cold to parade around a racecourse in just a little dress and minuscule fur stole! I always opt to wear a tailored coat and personalise it with my accessories, a nice pair of gloves, some opaque tights and little leather ankle boots.
My hat will always dictate my colour combinations. If I wear a pink hat I love to team it with some pink gloves or a pop of pink lipstick and keep everything else simple.
Her.ie: As a leading Irish milliner, what are your words of wisdom when it comes to winter hats?
ER: As most people who come to me for a bespoke hat already have their outfit planned, I usually suggest to them to keep the hat in one family of colours and varied tones.
Basically, don’t get a hat made with ten colours, think of it like any other accessory; the less busy and fussy it is, the more wear you will get out of it.
Winter hats are fabulous in rich colours and embellished with a nice brooch, twist or quirky feather.
Her.ie: What’s the best way to keep warm during a winter day at the races?
ER: Tights are a must for winter racing as a lot of the courses are quite open and exposed to all the elements so I always find its best to keep as warm and layered up on the inside as possible.
A client of mine who races all over the world says that she wears a thermal vest under her winter coat. It’s one of the best tips I’ve ever heard – if you are cold, you will just be miserable all day!
I love a thick pair of tights from Penneys and always opt for good leather shoes from somewhere like Premoli in Galway.
Her.ie: Any other insider style tips?
ER: Great gloves are an elegant finish to your racing outfit and you can pick up such good colours in most stores from Dunnes to Oasis.
My glove ‘go-to’ designer is Paula Rowan. She has the most amazing range of styles to choose from in the most stunning leathers and colours imaginable. Whoever thought you could get leather opera length gloves!
For more info and to register for the Most Stylish Lady competition at Leopardstown Christmas Festival, click here.
