When we get to Liverpool's Aintree racing ground, the atmosphere is buzzing, and the races haven’t even started yet: today is the eponymous Ladies Day. There are swathes of women (and men too) drinking and chatting, getting ready for the races to start and there’s a general feeling of happiness and a hell of a lot of fun. Everyone’s here to have a laugh, whilst looking banging of course. There’s no animosity, no bad blood – one of the girls we spoke to mentioned how often other girls complimented them on their outfits. Aintree Ladies Day is the ultimate in Girl Power, and we didn’t want to leave.
When we approach each group, the first thing we’re asked is whether we’re from the Daily Mail, cue an emphatic shaking of heads from us. Because thanks to the folks at the Daily Mail, these women don’t get the positive attention that they deserve; they get unfair ridicule which, if like us they’d take a moment to spend some time with these girls, they’d find it couldn’t be more misplaced. We chatted with some of the girls to find out how they decided on their outfits, how much they cost, and what had brought them there. Oh and if you’ve ever got a big event coming up and you’re stuck for some outfit inspiration, you need only look to the attendees of Ladies Day at Aintree. Blossoming fascinators, jewelled dresses, killer trouser suits and epic heels… These ladies know What’s Up.
(L-R) Laura, Louise, Steph, Amy, Nichola.
Laura: ‘I only decided to come yesterday because there was a spare ticket – I was meant to be working but I’m a nurse so I did extra shift so I could take today off. We come every year.’ Amy: ‘I got my outfit in January; we’d just got out tickets and I was browsing the Internet. The jumpsuit is from AQA and it cost £130 and the fascinator was £20. I didn’t have a budget, I just spent whatever I wanted to.
Natalie
‘I come every year and I never really stick to the same thing; I usually just go with whatever catches my eye that season. This year I’ve gone for a black and white theme. My dress is from Self Portrait and I spent about £500 on my outfit. I don't really have a budget, I just look at what they have in the shops that I usually go in. I really like Self Portrait dresses, Kurt Geiger shoes and Reiss do really nice blazers. I tend to go with a race day theme and keep the dress below the knee and make sure it’s not too revealing.’
(L-R) Emma and Rachel
Emma: ‘We come most years; in the past years we’ve always come to Ladies Day, it’s a major event in Liverpool – it feels like every girl in Liverpool comes. It's our favourite day of the year to get all dressed up! Getting all glammed up is our favourite part of the day. We always miss the first race of the day too because we’re getting ready – it’s like a tradition!’
Rachel: ‘We bet on every race but only £2.50 or a fiver. The year before last I won more than I'd come with!’
(L-R) Lauren, Sophie, Abbie
Lauren: ‘We’re really keen race-goers, we don't just come to Ladies Day. I don’t miss any all year!
Sophie: ‘We started thinking about our dresses in January. Mine is £210 from Virgos Lounge.’
Lauren: ‘I literally bought my dress last Saturday and only found out I could definitely come yesterday because I was on jury duty! We go for something different every year; last year I was in all black with a hat. I’d never wear the same dress twice for the races. You don’t tend to do your own hair or makeup for the races either.’
Sophie: ‘Salons get booked up months in advance!’
(L-R) Jen and Louise
Jen: ‘I found my dress about two months ago and talked my husband into buying it for me. It was an opportunity to wear my wedding belt again! It's probably the most expensive belt I'll ever own.’
Louise: ‘We usually only come to the night races, not to the Grand National but we got it for free this year so we wanted to come! I'm a goth so wearing this dress is so uncomfortable right now, but I couldn't find anything black and pretty to wear so Jen convinced me to wear something bright and flowery. The more drunk I’m getting, the better I feel!
(L-R) Georgie and Hannah
Georgie: ‘It's my first time at Aintree. We like to be coordinated, so we're not clashing in pictures – my top is actually a dress which I've put a skirt over. My boyfriend's mum lent me the hat; it's Dior! She won best dressed at Ascot a couple of years ago so they put the label in the hat.’
Hannah: ‘We pulled our outfits together quite last minute. I made my fascinator myself, it took me a couple of hours, and I did our nails. I do it as a hobby.’
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It's Time To Stop Shaming The Ladies Of Liverpool On Ladies Day
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** Follow Chemmie on Twitter @chemsquier**
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.