You racy ladies! Fans show off their tattoos and tans at the Aintree festival
IT takes more than a downpour to deter the good ladies of Liverpool from showing off their finery – and their tans.
While some racing festivals have dress codes for their meetings, when it comes to Ladies Day at Aintree… anything goes.
The weather was grim and grey yesterday but spectators – many of whom had headed over from Ireland to the event – brought more than a flash of colour to the stands on the penultimate day of the Grand National meeting.
Glamorous gowns, high hemlines and bare shoulders were the order of the day despite rain and driving winds, while plenty of prosecco and pints of beer helped keep spirits up.
Transparent ponchos were handed out, keeping the thousands of racegoers relatively dry while still showing off their newly bought dresses – and tattoos.
According to racecourse bosses, there is no strict dress code for the festival. Guidance on the course website reads: ‘Although there is no official dress code, smart is preferable.’
However, in recent years, event organisers have been trying to encourage a more conservative approach. In 2015, an optional ‘style code’ was released in an effort to smarten up the event and encourage more sophisticated fashion.
The guide was devised by fashion writers from Vogue and Tatler in conjunction with Justine Mills, owner of Liverpool designer boutique Cricket – a favourite with Coleen Rooney.